The Black Sea has had many different names throughout its history. Each new people that came to its shores called it differently.

At the beginning of our era, the Scythians called the Black Sea - Tana (dark), in Iran - Ashkhaena (dark).

Also the Black Sea in different times was called Khazar, Surozh, Russian, Scythian, Temarun, Saint, Tauride, Ocean, Blue.

Around the IX-VIII centuries. BC. The Greeks, when they first appeared in these places, called it the inhospitable sea (Pont Aksinsky). It probably did not greet the newcomers kindly, and they also say that the local tribes, the Taurians, living along the shores were very ferocious and in every possible way spoiled the lives of the Greek sailors. However, later, the same Greeks began to call the Black Sea hospitable (Pont Euxine).

Much later, the Turks, trying to conquer the lands adjacent to Black Sea, met fierce resistance from the local population, and perhaps that is why they nicknamed it Kara-Dengiz (Black Sea).

There are still many legends that explain this name. For example, they say that at the bottom of the Black Sea lies a heroic sword, which the wizard Ali ordered to be thrown there. And the sea is agitated, turning black, trying to tear him out of its depths.

There is also a version that the sea received its name due to the fact that during a storm it turns black. But, nevertheless, the Black Sea is quite calm, strong storms are extremely rare on it, so this version does not seem correct.

They also say that black silt remains on the shores after a storm (although it is more likely dark gray).

The Black Sea is a sea of ​​dead depths.

There is another version. In ancient times, Black and Caspian Sea were one, but over time, they split into two separate ones. At the same time, the water in Cherny became more salty (due to the fact that it was connected with the Mediterranean several times in its history), and the waters of the Caspian Sea remained more desalinated.

As a result of increased water salinity, many freshwater organisms died in the Black Sea. A huge amount of hydrogen sulfide formed at the bottom - a waste product of bacteria that decompose the corpses of animals and plants. At the same time, the water in the Black Sea mixes very poorly; it is divided into two layers. The first layer, up to 100 meters deep, is fresher, this is due to the fact that the Black Sea is fed mountain rivers, of which there are a huge number along the banks. In the second layer (over 100 meters) the water is approximately 2 times saltier, there is practically no oxygen and no life, but there are huge deposits of hydrogen sulfide. Only certain types of bacteria live there, at the bottom. That is why they say that the Black Sea is a sea of ​​dead depths.

By the way, due to the fact that the salinity of the Black Sea is quite low, its fauna is very scarce compared to other seas.


So, let's return to the name of the Black Sea. Why anyway The Black Sea is called black? Due to the occurrence in depths of the sea ah hydrogen sulfide, any metal object lowered to a depth (for example, an anchor) turns black after some time. Apparently, sailors noticed this feature back in Antiquity, and perhaps this is where the name of the Black Sea came from.

By the way, from space you can see that the sea is very dark, almost black. This is noticeable on Earth, especially during the transition from the Mediterranean to the Black. Its waters look significantly darker.

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

What the legends say

The Black Sea did not always greet sailors friendly. Some sailors, during 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. This is where the name “Black” came from, that is, the sea of ​​hell.

Often stormy seas claimed many lives, which is why the 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 and had a huge golden arrow capable of dividing the earth into two halves. Fearing that he would commit a terrible act in anger, the hero hid the arrow in the depths, but the angry sea, which turned its waters from transparent and blue to dark, prevented it from being returned. This is how the sea began to be called “black”.

According to one of the Turkic legends, a terrible sword was 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. This 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 tales that tell of a beautiful black-haired girl who threw herself into the sea after learning that her lover had died in a storm. Grief turned the waters black and the sea turned black.

As the sea greeted him, that’s what they called him

There are several completely reliable facts that confirm that the name of the Black Sea primarily reflected the impression of it.

The sea seemed “inhospitable” to the Greek navigators, who several thousand years before our era called it Pont Aksinsky. The sea greeted the Greeks with constant storms; not all sailors managed to return home, therefore, when talking about the journey, survivors often mentioned the harsh nature of the sea, which became dark, inhospitable, and dangerous. Gradually, the sea began to be called not Pont Aksinsky, but the Black Sea.

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

Turkic tribes tried more than once to conquer these lands, but always met fierce resistance from the aborigines, the majority of whom were dark-haired and dressed in dark clothes. According to one legend, bowls made from the heads of defeated enemies are kept in the houses of the Black Sea Tauris. The mercilessness towards the invaders was so amazing that, leaving Black Sea coast, they talked about “black” lands with “black” people. Thus, beyond the sea, the name “Black” was established in Turkic folklore.

Many medieval travelers 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 artists depicting Black during a storm, one can see precisely dark, almost black shades.

What do scientists say about the origin of the name?

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

Version 1. Some scientists see the appearance of the name “Black” in the Slavic tradition of color distribution: they considered the right side to be black, and the left (where the heart was located) to be white. If you stand facing east, the sea will be on the right, that is, on the “black” side. Accordingly, the sea began to be called the Black Sea by 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 stuck.
Version 3. Hydrologists claim that the sea received its name solely because appearance. The depths of the sea contain a lot of hydrogen sulfide, which can turn everything black. metal objects, hence the dark color of the water. After traveling through this sea, sailors noticed that anchors and other metal parts of ships became 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 name of the sea could have been given by algae growing in it (like the corals of the Red Sea). After storms, it is black algae that thickly covers the shores and floats in coastal waters. Hence the name of the sea – Black.
Version 6. An interesting hypothesis has been put forward, based on observations of stones that are found in the depths of the sea or on the shores. The most rounded, and naturally the most ancient, were the black stones. Perhaps they were the ones who gave the black color to the waters. Therefore, the origin of the name is related to appearance.

Nowadays, the Black coast has become a favorite vacation spot for many. The gentle surf, warm sand, and light breeze seem to erase the image of the inhospitable harsh sea. Peering into the turquoise surface, you wonder: why the Black Sea was called “black”, because its waters show so many different shades. Were they once “inhospitable”?

There are quite a few versions as to why the Black Sea got its name. Everyone puts forward their own hypothesis, offering more and more new versions. But which option is the most plausible, you need to figure out. The article proposes 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, coast Sea of ​​Azov was inhabited by the Meotian and Sindian tribes. It was the Indian peoples who began to call the neighbor of the Sea of ​​Azov the Black Sea. If you look at the two seas from above, it is noticeable that the waters of the Black Sea are much darker than those of the Azov Sea.

Raging waters

This version was proposed by the ancient Greek historian and geographer Strabo, who argued 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.

The Greeks come from a warm and calm place Mediterranean Sea, called the turbulent waters "Pontos Akseinos", which translates as inhospitable or black sea. But years and even centuries later, villages began to be built on the coast and trading tents were set up, because the Greeks fell in love not only with the land, but also considered the sea their native land. So the name changed to “Pontos Euxeinos”, which means “hospitable sea”. But the new name did not take root.

The ability of the Black Sea is that it comes in different shades and colors. For example, closer to the beginning of spring, a brown tint is noticeable along the coast, and not the usual blue color of the waters. This phenomenon is biological in nature, and occurs in connection with the massive proliferation of tiny unicellular algae. In simple words– the sea begins to bloom.

Linguistic theory

Linguists have divided into several groups that have different versions 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. Previously, due to the carelessness of the chroniclers, only one letter was missed in the word “chermnoe,” which in Church Slavonic meant “red.” This is how the name sea came about. Later, the mistake made was regularly reproduced in other texts, which became the reason for the change from “black” to “black”. But no one was surprised that the Red Sea is located at a completely different geographical point.

The Bible says that Moses and the Jews managed to escape from the angry troops of Pharaoh, thanks to the Black Sea, along the bottom of which they walked, finding a way 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 lowering them into the water. Hydrologists explain this fact by the fact that in the sea at the bottom there is hydrogen sulfide in large quantities. Dissolved hydrogen sulfide is present in any body of water and 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 greatest concentration, because in its own way geographical location it is “closed” by the banks and has limited “washability”.

When metal objects fall into 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 great depths, so one can hardly agree that such a theory was put forward by sailors.


Popular sea legends

There are various legends and myths:

  • Consuming human souls. Many legends cannot do without the theme of drowned men and drowned women. Previously it was believed that the depths of the sea absorb human souls, due to the fact that in water a person behaves unreasonably, frivolously.
  • Sea glow. It is known that during their voyages many sailors saw a strange glow that came from the bottom of the sea. This phenomenon could not be explained in any way, 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 strongman-hero, with his mighty hand, launched a golden arrow into the sea, possessing magical power: She could split the planet into two parts. Due to the fact that the sea did not throw an arrow onto its shores, the water turned from a lighter shade to 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 is relatively calm, Turkic sailors noted that it was particularly inhospitable.

The Black Sea is home to many marine inhabitants, which only color it and make it even more mysterious. Why the sea got its name is difficult to answer unequivocally. But the most popular version is that if you look at it from above, it appears black.

The sea attracts people with its mystery and inaccessibility. Its inhabitants are often surrounded by a mystical aura; human imagination places the most terrible monsters in the depths of the sea. The names are also surrounded by legends and myths. There is no exact answer why the Black Sea is called black. But there are a lot of interesting options presented by historians, geographers, hydrologists and sailors.

Legends and hypotheses about the appearance of the name

Such a variety of names that were awarded to the sea different peoples, something to be proud of. No other body of water has received such an honor. It was named after its geographical location and then paradoxical facts emerged. For example, the Arabs called it Northern, and the Greeks called it Eastern. Residents of the coast made their contribution, bravely defending villages from raids, for which they nicknamed him Kara-Dengiz, inhospitable.

Here are some guesses:

  1. Black Sea legends colorfully describe some events, and one can’t help but believe that at the bottom lies a heroic sword or a golden arrow, which can be used to divide the world in half, so the sea boils and darkens, trying to throw out a terrible weapon from its depths.
  2. Another explanation for why the Black Sea was called black lies in its wayward character. Storms, although rare, come suddenly, forcing the water to take dark shade. After this, piles of brown algae and dark gray silt remain on the shore.
  3. The following version belongs to hydrologists, confirming the fact that the main part sea ​​creatures does not fall below a depth of 100 m. Important: the reason lies in hydrogen sulfide permeating the lower layers. Bacteria reign there, feeding on the remains of dead animals and plants.
  4. Sailors claim that a few hours before a storm, the water at depth sharply darkens.
  5. There are many reasons why the sea was called the Black Sea. Another version says that the name of the Black Sea was given by Magellan, who saw the expanses raging during a storm.

When was the sea first called Black?

Many people, flying by plane over the surface of the waters, note that they really look black and opaque. It immediately becomes clear why the Black Sea was called that. From space photographs it also looks like a dark spot, so the name is quite justified.

Over the centuries, the sea constantly changed its name depending on who was talking about it. There is no certainty about who came up with the idea of ​​calling the Black Sea. According to some sources, the origin was given by the translation of the Greek Pont Aksinsky, inhospitable, black.

The Black Sea has long been the most popular destination for summer holiday in the territory former USSR. However, despite all its advantages, it is fraught with a wide variety of mysteries.

The most basic of them, oddly enough, lies on the surface: why is the sea called Black? There are a variety of assumptions on this matter.

The main historical hypothesis refers to Turkic seafarers. According to legend, guests from the sunny Turkish shores first saw the Black Sea during a winter storm. Having received an indelible impression, the Turks came up with the name “Kara-Deniz” - “northern” or “dark”. This name was also an antonym for the Turkic name for the Mediterranean Sea - “Ak-Deniz”, i.e. "southern" or "light".

Ancient travelers from Iran did the same, calling the sea “Ashkhaen” - “dark”. They were echoed by the Greeks with their name “Pontos Aksinos”, i.e. "hostile" or "inhospitable".

Although waves above 6 on the Beaufort Scale are quite rare in the Black Sea, during stormy conditions the sea water takes on a very dark hue. And after the storm stops, black silt appears on the shore - this gave rise to another version of the origin of the name.

Black Sea - linguists’ opinion on the origin of the name

According to one version, such a gloomy name appeared due to the banal confusion that arose during the constant rewriting of religious chronicles. It is believed that in ancient times the word “beautiful” was synonymous with the word “black”.

According to another version, inattentive chroniclers missed just one letter in the word “chermnoe,” which meant “red” in Church Slavonic.

Judging by the Russian Synodal translation of the Bible, it is precisely by the bottom red sea Moses passed along with the Jews, thereby successfully breaking away from Pharaoh's troops.

However, a mistake made, later repeated many times in other texts, unexpectedly changed “black” to “black”. No one was even embarrassed by the fact that the Red Sea is located at a completely different geographical point.

The Black Sea is a sea of ​​dead depths, according to scientists

Hydrologists claim that the name arose due to huge amount dissolved hydrogen sulfide present in sea ​​water at a depth of more than 150 meters. Hydrogen sulfide molecules trigger the process of metal reduction, sulfur oxidation and the formation of metal sulfides. In other words, this one paints all metal objects submerged to such an impressive depth black.

Various bacteria that have lived at the bottom of the sea for millions of years are responsible for the appearance of molecules of this substance in water.

Dissolved hydrogen sulfide is a product that decomposes all types of plants and animal carcasses that fall to the seabed.

There are no other forms of life, which is why the Black Sea is known among those involved in the topic as the “Sea of ​​Dead Depths.”

Legends of the Black Sea

There were many eerie legends and myths among the Crimean aborigines:

  • Many sailors have more than once had the opportunity to observe a strange glow emanating from the depths of the sea. Unable to come up with an explanation for what was happening, the sailors frantically crossed themselves and called this phenomenon “light from hell.”
  • Another legend tells about a certain hero who hid a magic golden arrow in the Black Sea, with which one can divide the planet into two parts. However, the sea was in no hurry to return such a valuable thing back, as a result of which its color changed radically.
  • The theme of drowned men and women is actively exploited in many scary fairy tales.
  • Today, those who like to tickle the nerves of their interlocutors often spread rumors that the sea allegedly takes the lives of people who are too frivolous about swimming in its dark waters.

Whichever of the above reasons is decisive, tourists should not forget about safety precautions, thanks to which no “evil force” will drag swimmers to the seabed.

After all, first of all, the Black Sea is perfect place for relax! Crimea is not only sea and sun with numerous beaches, but also a piece of Russian culture! And if you come to Crimea on vacation, then don’t be lazy to visit the federal city of Sevastopol, which literally The city is filled with numerous museums and historical attractions. The most convenient way to visit the city is by your own car, but do not forget that in summer you will have to experience inconvenience due to increased traffic. There are also unpleasant cases when, due to the high density of cars, the number of accidents increases. Insurance policies OSAGO is registered in companies that are not geographically represented in Crimea. Therefore, in the event of an accident in Sevastopol, it is most profitable to contact the emergency commissioners, who will take over the interaction with the traffic police, and if there is no need to call, draw up a European protocol and buy out the insurance case from compulsory motor liability insurance. Be careful on the roads of Sevastopol.