Was the ancient Pontic city of Athenai (Ἀθῆναι) related to Athens?
Upvote:2
In short: probably yes.
Prokopios mentions the village only to refute the local tradition that it had been founded by its more famous namesake. Scholars have shared this skepticism and thus largely relegated Pontic Athens to footnotes or condemned it to complete oblivion.
But nothing is more plausible than regarding it as a result of Perikles’ expedition to the Euxine (ca. 437/35 BC). Athenai may have a pre-history as a Milesian apoikia called Limne. Less certain is the role it played after the breakdown of Athenian thalassocracy (405 BC).[…] a foundation under Athenian auspices in the 430s BC is the most likely.
— Altay Coşkun: "Pontic Athens. An Athenian Emporion in its Geo-Historical Context", Gephyra 18, 2019, p11–31.
(Gephyra – Günümüz Türki̇yesi̇ʼnin anti̇k devi̇rʼdeki̇ tari̇hi̇ ve kültürü i̇çi̇n dergi̇/Journal for the Ancient History and Cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean Access PDF)
This very recent English language paper weighs the scarce evidence and argues quite convincingly that a Milesian settlement may have been around in the vicinity, and that locals might have spoken another language than Greek, but that etynology doesn't favour a really probable connection to either. A small Athenian outpost not only offers the most parsimonious explanation, it also has the most pro-argumets going for it.
Upvote:3
Note: I contributed to a number of articles on the Trebizond Empire for Wikipedia, so while I do not claim to be an expert on this subject, I can speak with some authority on the available scholarship.
The etymology of Athenae/Atina/Pazar is uncertain. Some favor a Greek origin -- but fail to provide a convincing rationale to explain it. Some favor a Laz origin I'm partial to this etymology for a number of reasons: Laz is the local language, predating Turkish & Greek in the area; there a nearby river named Adienus. I have seen experts offer a Laz etymology for a number of place names in the area, for instance Trebizond.
But about scholarship. This is a part of the world whose history has not attracted much attention -- but deserves much more! The latest work in English on Athenae/Atina are the works of Anthony Bryer. (The previous writer in English about this part of the world is William Miller, whose Trebizond: The Last Greek Empire was published in 1926.) The latest scholarly work I know of has been published in Greek & Russian. I say "know of" because there might be articles in Georgian, Armenian an/or Turkish.
In short, the place name may come from Greek or Laz. Until more research is performed & published, your guess is as good as mine.
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