Theodora of Sughd

According to legend, the possessions of Theodora included the fortress of Aluston ( Alushta ) and bordered on the Genoese colony in the Cafe, with which the Sugdeans had a tense relationship ^[1] . Many noble nobles dreamed of calling the beautiful Theodora their wife, but the young queen made a vow of celibacy in order to put all her strength into care of her native land.

Theodore was betrayed by her named brother Heraclius, whose love she rejected. Having sided with the Genoese, Heraclius persuaded them to attack the weaker Sugdea and helped with the help of betrayal to capture the city. Theodora with the army and inhabitants retreated to Aluston, and after his assault and fall she took refuge on Mount Castell . Penetrating undetected on Castel, Heraclius opened the gate to the enemies, but was recognized and killed by Theodora. There was a bloody battle in which all the Sugdeans died together with the warrior girl Theodora. Dark stripes are visible on the southeastern slope of the mountain - according to legend, these are traces of the blood of the fallen defenders of Castel ^[2] .

There is another version of the legend, according to which Theodora had a military leader Girkas, who also offered the queen his love, but was refused. In retaliation, Hircas sided with the Genoese and helped them capture Sugdea. Standing on top of the tower, Theodora cursed the traitor and threw herself down on the stones.

Historians could not find evidence of Theodora, but the legends accurately describe the struggle for possession of the Crimea, which took place in the XII-XIV centuries between Genoa and Venice . Sugdeya (at that time under the formal control of the Venetian consul and at the same time dependent on the Tatar-Mongol) was captured by the Genoese in July 1365 ^[3] . Who ruled the city at that time remains unknown. The legends of Theodore were known in the XVIII century among the local population.

In 1859, G.E. Karaulov ’s historical novel Theodora - Ruler of Ancient Sugdea (no longer published) was published, dedicated to the legendary queen. The historian-Crimeologist Snezhkova wrote down a version of a legend in the 1930s, which was included in modern literary collections ^[1] . Famous Crimean scientists A. Markovich, E.L. Markov , S. Kachioni also mention Princess Theodore. Since the mid-twentieth century, the legend of Theodore has been widely used by guides and guides.

In the early 2000s, Crimean winemakers released a variety of white dessert wine “Muscat Queen of Theodore”, which was named in memory of the legendary queen.

• Mount Castell

• Kachioni S.A. Legends of Crimea. - 1902.
• Legends of Crimea. - Krimizdat, 1959.
• Murzakevich N.I. The history of Genoese settlements in the Crimea. - 1837.

• The Legend of Queen Theodore at kimmeria.com
• Farbey A.M .; Maiko V.V., Djanov A.V. From Sugdei to Sudak 1800 years of history (Russian) (inaccessible link) . Srіblo . www.gazetasriblo.com.ua (March 2008). Date of treatment March 21, 2014. Archived March 4, 2016.