Tzachas

Tzachas (also spelled Tzakhas) was a Byzantine Greek adventurer and emir who established an independent naval base at Smyrna (modern İzmir) in the late 11th century.

Tzachas, whose original name is unknown, was likely of Greek origin, though Turkic ancestry has also been proposed. He rose to prominence during a period of Byzantine weakness following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, which opened Anatolia to Turkish incursions. Exploiting this instability, Tzachas, described by Byzantine sources as a "pirate," gathered a force of Greek, Slavic, and possibly Turkic sailors and began raiding the Aegean islands.

By 1081, Tzachas had seized control of Smyrna and established it as his base. He launched further naval expeditions, capturing Lesbos, Chios, Samos, and Rhodes. He posed a significant threat to the Byzantine Empire, challenging its control of the Aegean Sea and disrupting trade routes. Emperor Alexios I Komnenos recognized the danger and took measures to counter Tzachas's power.

Alexios initially attempted diplomatic means, offering Tzachas titles and concessions to dissuade him from further aggression. However, these efforts failed. Alexios then employed military force, utilizing a combination of Byzantine naval power and alliances with Turkish warlords who bordered Tzachas's territory.

In 1092, the Byzantine admiral John Doukas inflicted a major naval defeat on Tzachas. Although Tzachas escaped, his power was significantly diminished. Shortly thereafter, Tzachas was murdered by his son-in-law, Kilij Arslan I, the Seljuk Sultan of Rum. Kilij Arslan, fearing Tzachas's growing ambition and potential alliance with the Byzantines, lured him to a meeting and assassinated him.

The death of Tzachas marked the end of his independent emirate in Smyrna, and the city was eventually recovered by the Byzantines. Despite his relatively brief period of power, Tzachas remains a notable figure in Byzantine history as a daring adventurer who temporarily challenged Byzantine naval dominance and control of the Aegean.