Abchasia

   Region just south of the Caucasus Mountains (q.v.) on the eastern coast of the Black Sea (q.v.). It was made part of the kingdom of Lazica (q.v.) in the fourth century. Its strategic importance was apparent in the sixth century, especially from 549-557, during the Byzantine-Persian war over Lazika (qq.v.). Justinian I (q.v.) made Abchasia a Byzantine protectorate, suppressing a revolt in 550 that sought to invite the Persians in. Justinian also abolished the region's trade in eunuchs (q.v.). Byzantine influence waned in the seventh century, despite the presence of two fortresses, Pityus and Sebastopolis, that maintained Byzantine interests. In the 10th century the region came under the control of the Bagratids (q.v.).