Theodora Megale Komnene (Greek: Θεοδώρα Μεγάλη Κομνηνή), also known as Despina Khatun (Persian: دسپینا خاتون; from the Greek title despoina and Turco-Mongol title khatun, both meaning "lady"), was the daughter of John IV of Trebizond and Bagrationi who married the Aq Qoyunlu ruler Uzun Hasan in 1458.
Charles Diehl has shown that it was based on Du Cange’s misunderstanding of the Mongol title "Khatun" as "Catherine".
Uzun Hasan strengthened his anti-Ottoman alliance by this marriage and gained the support of many Greeks, Armenians, and Georgians.
[5] In Western Europe, Theodora inspired the myth of the "Princess of Trebizond", a fixture of tales of damsels in distress as well as of a possible grand Crusade against the Ottoman Turks.
"[12] Uzun Hassan eagerly agreed to be the protector of Trebizond, as well as making other concessions, in return for Theodora's hand.
Uzun Hassan initially supported the Trapuzentines, but he was persuaded by the Ottomans to abandon Trebizond after the failed mediation of his mother, Sara Khatun.
He considered this letter a conspiracy to recapture the land of Trebizond with the help of Aq Qoyunlu and had David, his sons and his nephew executed on 1 November 1463.
[15] Franz Babinger states she was present at the Battle of Otlukbeli(1473), where she urged her husband to pursue the defeated army of Mehmed II in order to utterly destroy him.