Why the Black Sea is not. Why is the Black Sea called the Black Sea? Various names in history

Every corner of our planet has its own secret. And even such a familiar and seemingly understandable Black Sea is no exception. More than a dozen centuries ago, together with the Caspian, it formed a single reservoir, then they were separated by rising layers of land.

During its history, this sea can count more than 50 names. IN different times different nationalities called it Scythian, Pontus Euxinus, Pontus Aksinsky, Cimmerian, Tauride, Akhshaena, Kara-Deniz, Temarun, Surozh, Saint and even Blue.

The current name is found from around the 13th century AD. Why do we still call it that way? It turns out that there are about a dozen hypotheses about the origin of the name of the Black Sea.

Legends of the ancient Indians and Scythians

According to one version, the Indian tribes gave this name to the sea. They called it “Temarun” (“black”) simply because it looked much darker than the nearby, shallower, Azov one with a light sandy bottom.

The ancient Scythians continued this tradition and called it "Ashkhaen", which means "opaque", "dark".

Turkic name

Their first acquaintance began with a winter storm, so the inhabitants of these southern and sunny lands dubbed it "Kara-Deniz", which means "northern", "dark". The word also had to denote the exact opposite of their "native" Mediterranean Sea, which bore the name "Ak-Deniz" ("southern", "bright").

Ancient Greek version

Initially, relations with the Black Sea did not work out among the Greek colonists either. inhospitable weather, dangerous shores and warlike coastal tribes caused fear among the ancient Hellenes, and they called it "Pontos Aksinos" ("the sea is inhospitable, hostile" or "black"). This version was put forward by the ancient Greek geographer Strabo and refers to the 1st century BC.

However, modern historians consider these facts unconfirmed. In their opinion, the Greeks simply incorrectly translated into their native language the Scythian name - “dark blue”, which in ancient Greek was consonant with the word “unfriendly”. Later, having settled down in these parts, they changed their name to "Pontos Evksinos" - "the sea is favorable."

"Sea of ​​Dead Depths"

Some researchers believe that the sea was called "black" by sailors who noticed that the anchors lowered into it become black. Hydrologists attribute the effect to the huge amount of hydrogen sulfide found at the bottom. Hydrogen sulfide in dissolved form is present in any reservoir, it is a waste product of bacteria living at the bottom.

But in the waters of the Black Sea, at a depth of 150-200 meters, it is present in the highest concentration, since in its geographic location it is “closed” by the banks and has limited “washability”.

When metal objects enter the water, hydrogen sulfide molecules start a chemical process on their surface, as a result of which metal sulfides are formed and paint objects black.

On the other hand, experts understand that anchors usually do not sink to such a great depth, so it is unlikely that the authorship can be attributed to the sailors who noticed this phenomenon.

For the same reason, the "isolation" of the sea, its waters have a low concentration of salts and are unsuitable for the life of most traditional marine inhabitants. Just because of the lack of salt and the abundance of hydrogen sulfide, it has a rather meager animal world that is why scientists call it the "Sea of ​​the Dead Depths".

Fairy tale of the Slavic sun worshipers

A somewhat confused version is also known about the ancient Slavs, who called "black" everything that was on the right side of the center. In the center of the Slavic sun worshipers, of course, was the east - the place where the sun originated. That is, everything that was to the right of the east (in the modern sense - in the south) was considered black.

Why was it called black? It is believed that the ancient Vedas considered left side the human body is “female” and depicted in white, while the right side is “male” and indicated in black. Black in this context was not a definition of evil, but simply emphasized the contrast, the opposite of the white side.

Linguistic error version

There is also an opinion that the sea acquired its current name due to a banal mistake when rewriting ancient texts. Allegedly, in fact, in ancient times it was considered and called beautiful, “red”. In Church Slavonic, it sounded like "black" and the letter "m" simply disappeared during numerous rewriting.

The waters darken because of the storm

Some are sure that the sea is called "Black" because of its depth. Allegedly for this reason, during a storm, the water in it darkens very much, and after a storm, the remains of black silt are visible on land.

This version seems to be the least plausible, because it storms extremely rarely, no more than 20 days a year (with a power above 6 points), and the water in a storm darkens in any sea. And the silt brought ashore has, rather, a grayish tint.

What version of the origin of the name can be called the most plausible?

Why is the Black Sea really called "Black"? It's funny that different prospectors seem quite plausible different variants answer to this question.

For us, for example, as well as many modern historians and researchers of the toponymy of the Black Sea Territory, the simplest version seems to be the most realistic: the sea is named with the light hand of its Asian neighbors.

In these countries, since ancient times, it was customary to designate the cardinal points with colors. The north was marked in black and, accordingly, the sea located to the north of these countries was called "Black" ("northern").

Video: where did the name of the Black Sea come from?

There are a lot of versions as to why the Black Sea got its name. Everyone puts forward his own hypothesis, offers more and more new versions. But which of the options is the most plausible, you need to figure it out. The article offers some theories, as well as popular legends.

water color

The first theory is based on facts characteristic of even more ancient historical times. Around 1000 BC, the coast Sea of ​​Azov It was inhabited by the tribes of Meots and Sinds. It was the Indian peoples who began to call the neighbor of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov - the Black Sea. If you look at the two seas from a height, it is noticeable that the waters of the Black Sea are much darker than those of Azov.

raging waters

This version was proposed by the ancient Greek historian and geographer Strabo, who convinced that the Greek colonists who decided to settle the coast struggled with thick fogs and squally winds and storms. At this time, on the shore they had to deal with fierce animals, brave and strong Scythians.

Greeks, hailing from a warm and calm mediterranean sea, called the troubled waters "Pontos Axeinos", which translates as inhospitable or black sea. But after years and even centuries, settlements began to be built on the coast, trading tents were set up, because the Greeks fell in love not only with the land, but also considered the sea to be their own. And so the name changed to “Pontos Euxeinos”, which means “hospitable sea”. But the new name did not stick.

The ability of the Black Sea is that it comes in various shades and colors. For example, closer to the beginning of spring, a brown shade is noticeable off the coast, and not the usual blue color of the waters. This phenomenon is biological in nature, and occurs in connection with the mass reproduction of the smallest unicellular algae. In simple words- the sea begins to bloom.

linguistic theory

Linguists are divided into several groups, which have different versions of why the Black Sea got its name:

1. Banal confusion. The early words "beautiful" and "black" were synonymous. The constant rewriting of chronicles led to the fact that the sea turned out not beautiful, but black.
2. Random error. Earlier, due to the inattention of the chroniclers, only one letter was omitted in the word "black", which in the Church Slavonic language meant "red". This is how the name of the sea came about. Later, the mistake made was regularly reproduced in other texts, which caused the change from "black" to "black". But no one was surprised that the Red Sea is located in a completely different geographical point.

The Bible says that Moses and the Jews managed to escape from the enraged troops of the Pharaoh, thanks to the Black Sea, along the bottom of which they passed, finding the path of salvation.

Hydrologists version

Some researchers are sure that the Black Sea was named so at the suggestion of sailors who noticed the blackening of anchors when they were lowered into the water. Hydrologists explain this fact by the fact that hydrogen sulfide is present at the bottom of the sea in in large numbers. Dissolved hydrogen sulfide is found in any body of water; it is considered a waste product of bacteria living at the bottom. But in the waters of the Black Sea, at a depth of 150-200 meters, it is present in the highest concentration, because in its geographical position it is “closed” by the coast and has limited “washability”.

When metal objects get into the water, a kind of oxidation occurs, forming metal sulfides, coloring the objects black.

But on the other hand, experts understand that anchors are usually not launched to such a great depth, therefore it is hardly possible to agree that such a theory was put forward by sailors.

Popular sea legends

There are various legends and myths:

• Absorption of human souls. Many legends cannot do without the theme of drowned men and drowned women. Previously, it was believed that the sea depths absorb human souls, due to the fact that in the water a person behaves unreasonably, frivolously.
• Sea glow. It is known that during the voyages, many sailors saw a strange glow that came from the bottom of the sea. Such a phenomenon did not lend itself to any explanation, and therefore it was considered a light from the other world - seeing the glow, the sailors began to be baptized.
• Bogatyr with an arrow. Once upon a time, a certain strong man-hero, with his mighty hand, launched a golden arrow into the sea, possessing magic power: She could split the planet in two. Due to the fact that the sea did not throw an arrow on its shores, the water from a lighter shade acquired a dark color.
• Turkic theory. Some sources claim that the name of the Black Sea was given by the ancient Turks. Despite the fact that the deep-sea abyss has a relatively calm character, the Turkic navigators noted that it was especially inhospitable.

The Black Sea is inhabited by many marine inhabitants, which only color it and make it even more mysterious. Why the sea got its name is definitely difficult to answer. But the most popular version is that if you look at it from a height, it seems black.

The Black Sea has had many different names throughout its history. Each new people who came to its shores called it in its own way.

At the beginning of our era, the Scythians called the Black Sea - Tana (dark), in Iran - Ashkhaena (dark). Also, the Black Sea at different times was called Khazar, Surozh, Russian, Scythian, Temarun, Holy, Tauride, Ocean, Blue.

There is such a fascinating science - toponymy, which studies the origin geographical names(toponyms). According to this science, there are at least two main versions of the origin of the name of the Black Sea.

Version one. It was put forward by the ancient Greek geographer and historian Strabo, who lived in the 1st century BC. In his opinion, the Greek colonists called the Black Sea, who were once unpleasantly struck here by storms, fogs, unknown wild shores inhabited by hostile Scythians and Taurians. They gave the stern stranger an appropriate name - Pontos Akseinos - "inhospitable sea", or "black". Then, having settled down on the shores, having become related to the sea of ​​good and bright fairy tales, the Greeks began to call it Pontos Evkseinos - “the hospitable sea”. But the first name was not forgotten, like first love ...

Version two. In the 1st millennium BC, long before the appearance of Greek colonists who were careless in the language, Indian tribes lived on the eastern and northern shores of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov - Meots, Sinds and others, who gave the name neighboring sea- Temarun, which literally means "black sea". This was the result of a purely visual comparison of the color of the surface of the two seas, now called the Sea of ​​Azov and the Black Sea. From the mountainous shores of the Caucasus, the latter seems darker to the observer, as can be seen even now. And if it's dark, then it's black. The Meotians on the shores of the mentioned seas were replaced by the Scythians, who fully agreed with this characterization of the Black Sea. And they called him in their own way - Akhshaena, that is, "dark, black."

There are other versions

From the point of view of sailors, the sea is called "Black" because there are very strong storms on it, during which the water in the sea darkens. However, it must be said that strong storms in the Black Sea are very rare. strong excitement(more than 6 points) is here no more than 17 days a year. As for the change in the color of the water, such a phenomenon is typical for any sea, not only for the Black Sea.

Many names of the seas are destined to be associated with color, but, probably, the Black Sea received the most mysterious. There are several versions explaining the origin of the hydronym.

What the legends say

The Black Sea has not always met seafarers in a friendly manner. Some sailors during the storms that happened here quite often claimed to have seen a strange glow from the depths. They explained this vision as the opening gates of hell. Hence the name "Black", that is, the sea of ​​\u200b\u200bhell.

Often the stormy sea claimed many lives, which is why a legend arose about drowned men in dark robes who accompany ships, trying to lure living people into the depths. Following this legend, sailors tried not to look at the water at night, and the sea was called "black".

The inhabitants of the Black Sea coast have a legend about a hero who was angry with people, who had a huge golden arrow capable of dividing the earth into two halves. Fearing to commit a terrible act in anger, the hero hid the arrow in the depths, but the angry sea prevented it from returning, which turned its waters from transparent and blue to dark. So the sea was called "black".

According to one of the Turkic legends, a terrible sword is hidden in the waters of the sea, which was capable of killing all life on earth. The sea spirits opposed this and tried to throw the weapons ashore. That is why the sea often seems dark and inhospitable, and constant storms, according to legend, speak of the anger of the inhabitants of the "black" (terrible) sea.

In folklore local residents there are fairy tales that tell of a beautiful black-haired girl who threw herself into the sea after she learned that her lover had died during a storm. Sorrow turned the waters black and the sea turned black.

As the sea met, so it was called

There are quite a few reliable facts, which confirm that the name of the Black Sea primarily reflects the impression of it.

The sea seemed "inhospitable" Greek sailors who, several millennia before our era, called it Pont Aksinsky. The sea met the Greeks with constant storms, not all sailors managed to return home, therefore, when talking about the journey, the survivors often mentioned the harsh nature of the sea, which becomes dark, unfriendly, dangerous. Gradually, the sea began to be called not Pont Aksinsky, but Black.

The lands of the Black Sea coast have always attracted natural resources, therefore, from time immemorial, the indigenous people repelled raids.

The Turkic tribes tried more than once to conquer these lands, but they always met the fierce resistance of the natives, mostly dark-haired, in dark clothes. According to one legend, bowls made from the heads of defeated enemies are kept in the houses of the Black Sea Taurians. The ruthlessness towards the invaders was so striking that, leaving the Black Sea coast, they talked about the "black" lands with the "black" people. So the name "Black" was fixed in the Turkic folklore beyond the sea.

Many travelers of the Middle Ages spoke about the "black" sea. They attributed this name because during terrible storms the water became dark, and the waves, ready to swallow ships, seemed like huge black rocks.

In many paintings by marine painters depicting Black during a storm, you can see exactly dark, almost black shades.

What scientists say about the origin of the name

Turning to ancient sources, scientists have found that the Black Sea throughout its history had about 500 different names, which in one way or another reflected the appearance, features of navigation and the attitude of people to this body of water. The most famous names were: Pont Aksinsky, Scythian, Kara-Deniz, Russian, Tauride.

Version 1. Some scholars see the appearance of the name "Black" in Slavic tradition color distribution: they considered the right side black, and the left (where the heart was) - white. If you stand facing east, then the sea will be on the right, that is, on the "black" side. Accordingly, the sea began to be called Black among the Slavs.
Version 2. Perhaps the name "Black" came from the Turkic peoples, who called the sea Kara-Deniz ("kara" - black). Since many Turkic peoples were nomadic or waged active wars of conquest, the name quickly spread and gained a foothold.
Version 3. Hydrologists say that the sea got its name solely because of appearance. IN sea ​​depths contains a lot of hydrogen sulfide, which can turn everything black metal objects hence the dark color of the water. Sailors, after traveling along this sea, noticed that the anchors and other metal parts of the ships turned black, which is why they called the sea “Black”.
Version 4. Linguists believe that the appearance of the name "Black" was due to an error in the rewriting of biblical books, where this sea was called "black", that is, "beautiful".
Version 5. Some scientists suggest that the algae growing in it (like the corals of the Red Sea) could also give the name to the sea. After storms, it is black algae that thickly cover the coast and swim in coastal waters. Hence the name of the sea - Black.
Version 6. An interesting assumption is put forward, based on observations of stones that are in the depths of the sea or on the shores. The most rounded, and naturally, the most ancient were black stones. Perhaps it was they who gave the black color to the waters. Therefore, the appearance of the name is associated with appearance.

Nowadays, the Black coast has become a favorite vacation spot for many. Gentle surf, warm sand, light breeze seem to erase the image of the unfriendly harsh sea. Peering into the turquoise expanse, you wonder why the Black Sea was called "black", because its waters demonstrate so many different shades. Were they once "inhospitable"?

Everyone knows that there are 4 seas on the planet, the names of which are colors. This is Black, Yellow, Red, White. Today we will talk about Cherny - this mysterious and unique reservoir with an interesting history.

The waters of the Black Sea are filled with numerous secrets. Many millennia ago, it was one with the Caspian, until the earth separated them. The Caspian continued to be fresh, and the Black repeatedly merged with the Mediterranean and became more and more saline. The composition of the reservoir has changed certain types flora and fauna disappeared, others, on the contrary, appeared.

Why is the Black Sea called the Black Sea? This question still worries many today. The article will be devoted to the answer to it.

Brief historical background

Many centuries ago, the Black Sea was part of the ocean called Tethys. After the formation of the mountain ranges, the Tethys split. On the site of the Black Sea was the Sarmatian Sea-Lake. It was inhabited by freshwater representatives, the remains of which are found to this day.

Later, as a result of the emerging connection with the ocean, the Meotic Sea was formed, which was saline. Other inhabitants settled in it, preferring a similar composition of water.

18-20 millennia ago Novoevksinskoye Lake was located on the territory of Chernoy, which later merged with the Mediterranean. Waves poured into the Black Sea in a powerful stream, flooding the coast. Possible cause Scientists call this event an earthquake. Sometimes the event is compared to the Biblical flood.

As a result of the salt flow, the freshwater inhabitants died and thus created a huge resource of hydrogen sulfide that exists to this day. Therefore, the reservoir is considered " sea ​​of ​​the dead depths."

Undoubtedly, the history of the formation of this reservoir is interesting. But no less informative is why the Black Sea was called the Black Sea?

Various names in history

It is known that over the centuries the reservoir has changed many names. In the VI-V centuries BC. e. it was called Pont Aksinsky. Also, the sea bore the names: Temarun, Scythian, Tauride, Surozh, Holy.

It was called Surozh because of the city of Sugdei, which stood on the site of modern Sudak. The Khazar sea was called because of the people who lived on these shores.

At the beginning of our era, the sea was called Scythian, although the Scythians called it Tana, which translates as black.

Scientists put forward various hypotheses why the Black Sea was called the Black Sea. Let's consider each of them.

Scholarly Strabo's version

The historian Strabo in the 1st century concluded that the name of the sea was given by the Greeks, struck by storms, fogs and wild barbarians who lived here. It seemed inhospitable to them, and they called it black (Pontos Axeinos).

Later, having lived on these shores, the Greeks changed their minds and began to call the sea "hospitable" - Pontos Evkseinos. But the original name has not been erased from the memory of people. That is why the Black Sea is called the Black Sea.

Another version

To the question why the sea is called Black, there is an answer like this. The theory owes its appearance to the Indian peoples.

According to history, long before the arrival of the Greek colonists, in the 1st millennium BC, various Indian tribes lived on the Black Sea coast, who called the neighboring sea Temarun (“black sea”).

This was explained by the external comparison of Azov and Cherny. If you watch the reservoirs from the mountain heights, Black really looks darker. So it's fair enough to call it that.

The Indian tribes replaced the Scythians, they agreed with this description. They began to call the sea Akhshaena, that is, "black."

Turkish version

According to this version, the sea owes its name to the Turks. They sought to conquer its shores, but always met with resistance from the locals. Therefore, they called him Black, that is, unfriendly.

Maritime hypothesis

Sailors believe that the Black Sea is so named because of the strongest storms that color the water in deep black.

However, such natural phenomena here they do not occur so often, and the shade of water changes not only in this reservoir, but also in any other.

Perhaps it is so named because of the color of the silt that is thrown onto the coast during a storm. True, the silt is more gray than black.

Hydrological hypothesis

Hydrologists put forward their own version when answering the question of why the Black Sea was called the Black Sea. Any metal object lowered to an impressive depth is taken out darkened. The culprit for this is hydrogen sulfide, which is rich in a reservoir at a level below 200 meters.

This substance appears as a result of the life of bacteria that live in the deep layers. Below 150-200 meters in the sea there are only microorganisms that have accumulated a huge amount of hydrogen sulfide molecules.

mythic version

There is also a legend about why the Black Sea was called the Black Sea. It lies in the fact that in the reservoir lies the sword of the hero. He was thrown there by the wizard Ali, who was near death.

The sea is now agitated, wanting to throw the sword ashore. And the restless element looks dark. That is why the Black Sea is called the Black Sea. The legend answers this question in this way.

Hypothesis about the cardinal points

Among Asian peoples, the cardinal points are marked with color. The north is painted black. That is, the Black Sea is a body of water located in this area. This is true for Asians.

Color spectrum

We practically answered the question why the Black Sea was called the Black Sea. But is the body of water always colored the same?

The Black Sea has different shades. For example, in early spring the water off its coast is brown. This is due to the growth of algae. The water starts to bloom.

Some inhabitants water element have a mysterious glow. For example, perideneum algae. In addition to them, predators called nightlighters live in the water. They also glow thanks to a substance called "luciferin" - named after the ruler of hell.

When you look at a body of water while flying over it in an airplane, it looks deep blue. And from space, the sea is really very black.

Why is the water of the reservoir so dark? large area the sea basin is filled with hydrogen sulfide. In small quantities, this gas is colorless. But in the water its thickness is 1000-2000 meters, so the reservoir is so rich blue.

Where did hydrogen sulfide gas come from

In the Black Sea, at a level below 200 meters, only single-celled microorganisms live. Plants and animals do not survive in such conditions. This unique property is unique to this reservoir.

Many people ask: where does hydrogen sulfide come from in the deep sea? Let's dwell on this issue in more detail.

Oxygen enters the reservoir from the atmosphere, and also appears in the upper water layers as a result of photosynthesis. In order for oxygen to penetrate to depth, water must mix. In the Black Sea, water practically does not mix. In him upper layer formed by river currents, and it is insipid in composition. From the Sea of ​​Marmara penetrates salty water that flows deep.

Thus, in the Black Sea there are two water layers with different levels density and temperature. What does this lead to? The stratification of sea waters does not allow the sea to mix and oxygen to penetrate to a considerable depth.

After the death of living organisms, their bodies are food for bacteria. When organic matter decomposes, oxygen is used. The deeper, the more decomposition, which means more oxygen is absorbed. So, the deeper, the less this substance. Below a depth of 100 meters, oxygen is not formed, but only absorbed. Substance cannot penetrate here either.

Below 200 meters there is no oxygen gas at all. Only anaerobic microorganisms live here. They help the process of decomposition of all the remains. As a result of this reaction, hydrogen sulfide is produced. This gas is poisonous to both animals and plants. It serves as a blocker of the respiratory process of mitochondria. Sulfur is taken from the amino acids of proteins, as well as from the sulfates of sea water.

Some scientists say that hydrogen sulfide in the sea appeared due to pollution of the reservoir. The amount of gas is increasing, and the sea is on the verge of disaster. This is partly true. A lot of water from agricultural fields fell into the sea in the 70-80s of the XX century. As a result, the growth of mud and phytoplankton increased in the reservoir. When rotting, they do emit hydrogen sulfide. But this process did not introduce any radical changes in the composition of the sea. There is also no risk of an explosion of hydrogen sulfide, scientists say.

Due to the abundance of hydrogen sulfide in sea ​​waters there is no deep-sea fauna, as in other seas. Such low biodiversity is another feature of the Black Sea. There are no predatory deep-seated fish that live in other salty reservoirs.

So, we have studied in detail why the Black Sea is called the Black Sea. Due to the abundance of hydrogen sulfide, the reservoir has a rich rich dark color. Apparently, that is why it is called Black. However, the reader can accept for himself any answer to the question posed. All possible versions and hypotheses are presented in the article.