Epanalávete

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The Epanalávete
Date13 January 1624 - 19 March 1749
Location
Chersonian Peninsula and southeastern Belisaria
Result
  • Restoration of the Thraysian Empire and the dissolution of the Ampheian Empire
  • Restoration of the Kingdom of Vardana
  • Expulsion of Yen minorities from Thraysia
Belligerents
  • Aydarid Caliphate

The Epanalávete (Greek for "reconquest") was a period of over a century between the first successful revolt against Aydarid rule and the final battle that kicked out the Aydarid from Chersonia in 1749.

Background

Throughout much of the Middle Ages, the Chersonian peninsula was dominated by the Thraysian Empire. This was challenged with the rise of the Bayarids and Caliphates, in which the Ayarids initially conquered most of the Chersonian Peninsula from the rule of the Thraysians. The Thraysians faced initial successes in reconquering most of the peninsula. Though in the Late Middle Ages, Thraysian rule over the Peninsula would gradually decline with pressure from the Caliphates.

In ????, the capital city of Konstantinopolis was sacked by the Caliphate, marking the official end of the Thraysian Empire. Its remnants would lie in a rump state in southeastern Belisaria and some parts of northern Chersonia. Christianity faced severe persecution by Azdarin rulers, though some minor political rights were granted to Christians later on. Many Churches, especially Hagia Vasiliki, were turned into mosques. The Patriarchates of Konstantinopolis, Damarnioch, and (Vardana?) were accountable to the Sultanate and placed under heavy restrictions. Several Patriarchs were imprisoned or executed. The economic situation in Chersonia deteriorated with the decline of cities that were once highly-developed and prosperous. Life became ruralized and militarized while heavy burdens of taxation were placed on the Christian population. The exception to this included southern Ghevaric cities that flourished under Caliphate rule.

There were several rebellions by Chersonian Christians against the Caliphate. Most were largely unsuccessful and met with heavy repression.

The Great Revolt

An increase of taxes provoked a large-scale series of rebellions in 1624 known as the Great Revolt. The success of these rebellions was attributed to foreign support and a relative decline of the Aydarid Caliphate. It led to the formation of several independent Christian states, including the restored Thraysian Empire. A long war would be fought between the newly independent states and Aydarid from 1624 to 1631. The end result was a success among the independent states. The 1631 Treaty of Myndasa defined the final borders of the new states.