The Hellespont and the Bosphorus opened during the second half of the 5th millennium BC. Since then, the Aegean has been connected to the Black Sea.
Greek mythology tells of Zeus and Hephaestus nailing Prometheus to the Caucasus. The Caucasus has been a reference point for the inhabitants of the Aegean since ancient times.
Around 2500 BC, the Amazons arrived in the Black Sea from the Caucasus and established dominance. They controlled the production of metals, which were then traded by the people of the Aegean: the Leleges or Hatti and the Carians or Minyans, who transported them to the ports of the Eastern Mediterranean. The Amazons remained in the Black Sea until the end of the Trojan War (1190-1180 BC). The Aegean world settled at the entrance of the Black Sea and in Propontis, while maintaining trade in the Black Sea.
In the middle of the 2nd millennium BC, the Aegean world established a permanent presence in Colchis. There, the king of Corinth, Aeetes, and his son, Aeson, would reign. Near them, Phrixus, the son of Minyas, would arrive with the golden-fleeced ram. Aeetes would marry his sister, Pasiphae, to Minos.
In the Black Sea, the alloy known as steel was produced for the first time in the world (during the 2nd millennium BC).
In the late 13th century BC, the famous Argonautic Expedition took place, led by Jason, son of Aeson, in search of the golden fleece. This was followed by the expedition of Hercules for the golden girdle of Hippolyta (the Amazon).