fore it would decline due to a series of civil wars and religious factions, both of which would make it ripe for invasion and conquest. Gidon was no Alexius or David in that he had great military skills and he was much older and more experienced than his predecessor. Gidon’s first major battle happened in the second year of his reign when he had to attack Sinope after the Sultan of Iconium seized a ship that was blown by a storm into the harbor of Sinope. When Gidon heard of the seizure he responded immediately and severely, “His sailors not only plundered the district right up to the walls of the ‘mart,’ but also slew or captured the crews of the ships lying in the harbour, whom they exchanged for the captive Archon, the vessel which had conveyed him, and the sums which had been taken from him, as well as all the plunder carried off from Cherson. Melik thereupon marched upon Trebizond, for the defense of which Gidon summoned all his provincial subjects and fortified the passes le
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