Maritime poleis like Nesebar (Μεσημβρία Mesembria), Sozopol (Απολλωνία Apollonia), Pomorie (Αγχίαλος Ankhialos) and Varna (Οδησσός Odessos) controlled the trade routes in the western part of the Black Sea and often waged wars between each other.
The ancient cities of Nesebar, Sozopol, Pomorie, and Varna, situated along the western coast of the Black Sea, held sway over the maritime trade routes, often clashing with each other in battles for supremacy.