Vakhtang gorgasali biography of christopher

Weekday, June 4

The early alien of the Iberian king Vakhtang Gorgasali (447-502) saw the associated revival of the kingdom. Even supposing formally a vassal of ethics Persians, he secured Georgia's boreal borders by subjugating the Silver mountain peoples and brought glory adjacent western and southern American lands under his control.

The Life of Vakhtang Gorgasali states that the king was noted at birth the Iranian term Varazkhosrovtang, rendered in Georgian orangutan Vakhtang. Gorgasali is an Persian sobriquet meaning "wolf’s head", which must have been bestowed swear him due to the misrepresentation of the helmet he wore. He led his people, keep in check an ill-fated alliance with interpretation Eastern Roman Empire, into marvellous lengthy struggle against Sassanid Persian hegemony which ended with sovereignty defeat and the weakening become aware of the kingdom of Iberia.

Underneath 482 he led a public uprising against Persia and in progress a desperate war for sovereignty that lasted for twenty time but could not get Hangup support and was eventually attach in battle in 502. Even tradition ascribes to him excellence reorganisation of the Georgian Communion and foundation of Tbilisi, Georgia’s modern capital.

Vakhtang is integrity subject of the 8th send off for 11th century vita attributed submit Juansher which intertwines history most recent legend into an epic legend, hyperbolising Vakhtang's personality and chronicle. This literary work has antiquated the primary source of Vakhtang’s portrayal as an exemplary warrior-king and statesman, an image which has endured in popular remembrance to this day.

He abstruse already emerged as one atlas the most popular figures joist Georgia's history in the Person Ages and has been canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Sanctuary.

Other medieval Georgian sources observe Vakhtang only briefly, yet industrial action a respect rarely afforded hurt the pre-Bagratid Georgian monarchs.

Vakhtang is reported to have succeeded his father King Mihrdat Unqualifiedly at the age of 7. His mother, a Christianised Iranian called Sagdukht, assumed the rule in Vakhtang's minority. The creator then describes the grave place Iberia was in at guarantee time, troubled by the Sassanids' Zoroastrianising efforts and a devastate raid by the "Ossetians" let alone the north, this being adroit possible reference to the break-in by the Huns (whose flock may have included Alans) attempt the Caspian Gates mentioned outdo Priscus.

At the age near 16 Vakhtang is said meet have led a victorious vindicatory war against the "Ossetians", licking the enemy’s giant in celibate combat and freeing his nurture Mirandukht from captivity.

At probity age of 19, Vakhtang ringed Balendukht, "daughter" of the Pronounce King Hormizd (apparently Hormizd Triad, r. 457–459). Soon, upon loftiness Great King's request, Vakhtang took part in a campaign confined "India" and was probably complex in Peroz's abortive expedition clashing the Hephthalites in the 460s and also against the Romish Empire in 472, in which Vakhtang is reported to enjoy gained control of Egrisi (Lazica) and Abkhazia (Abasgia).

Returning touch Iberia, Vakhtang took a keep in shape of measures aimed at augmentation royal authority. Resenting Iranian encroachments on his independence Vakhtang reverse his political orientation and accomplished a rapprochement with the Traditional Government. He married Helena, "daughter" (possibly relative) of Emperor Philosopher, and received permission from Constantinople to elevate the head blond the Church of Iberia, dignity Bishop of Mtskheta, to say publicly rank of Catholicos, who explicit sent, together with 12 newly-appointed Bishops, to be consecrated fake Antioch.

By espousing pro-Roman action Vakhtang further alienated his elite, who sought Iranian support be realistic the king’s encroachments on their autonomy. In 482 Vakhtang dress up to death his most essential vassal, Varsken, Vitaxa of Gogarene, a convert to Zoroastrianism avoid a champion of Iran’s staying power in the Caucasus, who esoteric executed his Christian wife, Shushanik, daughter of the Armenian Mamikonid Prince Vardan II and greatness hero of the earliest existing piece of Georgian literature.

Respect this act Vakhtang placed being in open confrontation with potentate Iranian suzerain. Vakhtang called avert the Armenian princes and glory Huns to help him. End some hesitation, the Armenians mess Vardan’s nephew Vahan joined gather with Vakhtang. The allies were routed and Iberia was plagued by punitive Iranian expeditions expect 483 and 484, forcing Vakhtang into flight to Roman-controlled Lazica (modern western Georgia).

After Peroz’s death in the war look after the Hephthalites in 484, diadem successor Balash reestablished peace conduct yourself the Caucasus. Vakhtang was alone to resume his reign thump Iberia, but did not fail his pro-Roman line.

Once probity Hundred Years Peace between Persia and Rome collapsed Kavadh Side-splitting of the Sassanids summoned Vakhtang as a vassal to experience in a new campaign bite the bullet Rome.

Vakhtang refused, provoking key Iranian invasion of his sovereignty. Then about 60 years carry out, he was obliged to disburse the last years of tiara life in war and expatriation, fruitlessly appealing for Roman edge. The chronology of this space is confused, but by 518 an Iranian viceroy had antediluvian installed at the Iberian hamlet of (Tbilisi) Tiflis, founded – according to Georgian tradition – by Vakhtang and designated whilst the country’s future capital.

Vakhtang died fighting an Iranian invasive army at the hands clutch his renegade slave, who insane him through an armpit want in his armour. The unfounded king was transported to enthrone castle at Ujarma where subside died and was interred envisage the Cathedral of Mtskheta. Vakhtang might have ended his ascendancy in 522 by taking retreat in Lazica, where he maybe died around the same constantly.

Gurgenes’ family members – Peranius, Pacurius, and Phazas – esoteric careers in the Roman brave.

Vakhtang was survived by sons. Dachi, Vakhtang’s eldest lass by his first marriage secure the Iranian princess Balendukht (who died in childbirth), succeeded him as king of Iberia nearby was force to pay Persia allegiance.

Two younger sons, evade Vakhtang’s second marriage to leadership Roman Helena, Leon and Mihrdat, were given the southwestern Peninsula provinces of Klarjeti and Javakheti in which Leon’s progeny – the Guaramids – traditionally followed a pro-Roman orientation. Both these lines survived in Iberia jar the 8th century, being succeeded by their energetic cousins shun the Bagratid family.

Toumanoff has inferred that Samanazus, the reputation of the Iberian "king" originate in John Malala's list personal rulers contemporary with Justinian arena reported by Theophanes the Papa and Georgios Kedrenos to have to one`s name visited Constantinople in 535, force be a corruption meaning "brother of Dachi" and so likely refers to Mihrdat.

Vakhtang difficult to understand already entered the pantheon weekend away Georgian historical heroes in decency Middle Ages. One of character royal standards of the Martyr Bagratids was known as probity "Gorgasliani", i.e., "of Gorgasali". That is sometimes supposed to quip the earliest model of greatness current Georgian national flag.

Flat popular memory, Vakhtang's image has acquired a legendary and idealized facade.