Pylai (Bithynia)

Pylai is mentioned in the Natural History of Pliny the Elder,^[2] and is included in the Tabula Peutingeriana.^[1] A series of funerary inscriptions have also been found in the area.^[3]

The town gained notability in the Byzantine period, as emperors would disembark at Pylai for their journeys and expeditions from Constantinople to Anatolia, while ceremonies were held for their arrival.^[4] It possessed imperial estates, hotels for the merchants and "specialized in the export of swine, cattle, horses, and donkeys to Constantinople".^[5] The town was also part of the imperial beacon system.^[1][6] During the reign of Justin II, the monastery of the Katharoi was founded by the CubiculariusNarses near Pylai.^[7]

The Magister Militum and future Emperor Zeno fled to the town before reaching Chalcedon in 469/70.^[8]Heraclius passed from the town in 620/1 during his campaign against Persia.^[9] A group of Arabs under Mardasan raided Pylai in 716/7, during the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople, but they were defeated and repulsed by the Byzantines.^[10] On 17 July 797, Constantine VI passed from Pylai while unsuccessfully attempting to flee from the officers of his mother Irene.^[11]

Durante las invasiones selyúcidas de Anatolia, Nicéforo Botaneiates permitió a los soldados de Solimán entrar en varios asentamientos costeros, incluyendo Pylai, a cambio de ayuda en su rebelión. ^{[ 12 ]} Esto condujo a la captura de la ciudad por los selyúcidas, hasta que fueron expulsados ​​de las costas de Anatolia durante el reinado de Alejo I Comneno . En 1146, Manuel I Comneno trasladó a la población de Filomelion a Pylai, que reconstruyó y convirtió en fortaleza. ^{[ 13 ] [ 14 ]}

Después de la Cuarta Cruzada , en la Partitio terrarum imperii Romaniae , la ciudad fue entregada al emperador latino Balduino I. [ ^{15 ] Se} convirtió en un puerto importante para el Imperio de Nicea y permaneció como una ciudad bizantina fortificada hasta el siglo XIV, cuando los ataques otomanos se intensificaron, amenazando y obligando a gran parte de la población (anacrónicamente llamada Bebryces por George Pachymeres ) ^{[ 16 ]} a abandonar Pylai y buscar refugio en las Islas Príncipe . ^{[ 17 ]}