Greek Pontos

Sam Topalidis, a very proud Pontic Greek from Australia, compiled this well-documented book in English to help spread knowledge about the Greeks of Pontus (Greeks from Pontus, the northeast corner of Turkey adjacent to the Black Sea).

The book is divided into eight sections with a total of 81 chapters covering many aspects of the history and culture of the Pontians. Information written in English about the Greeks of Pontus is not as common as sources written in Greek. Each section allows readers to easily select the parts of particular interest to them.

Topalidis’ study is wide-ranging, starting from Pontian history, including the development of settlements, famous Greeks of Pontos, and even four family histories. He describes the buildings (including churches) around Trebizond and the harrowing experience of the genocide of the Greeks of Pontus, before giving a fascinating account of Pontian culture in its many forms, including dance, music and theatre.

Part A covers “Pontian History”, starting with “People in Greece before 800 BC”. Part B includes “History of the Pontian towns” and covers 20 such sites. Part C describes “Buildings around Trebizond” and includes many former churches in Trebizond. Part D describes the events of the ‘Genocide of the Greeks of Pontus’. Part E covers “Some Famous Greeks of Pontus”, which is less well known than other aspects of Pontus. Part F describes “Pontian society and culture”, from Pontian eagles to Pontian Greek costumes. Part G describes four “Family Stories” and provides an insight into the experience of everyday people. The book concludes with Part H on “Music, Dance and Theatre”. Pontian theatre was also an important part of Pontian culture.

This book is an important contribution to the dissemination of this information, especially to the Greek youth of the diaspora.