History of Georgia

Since ancient times Georgia has been populated by the ancestors of Kartvelian tribes. They established agricultural traditions: sowed wheat, had highly developed viticulture of endemic species of grapes and developed cattle breeding economy.

In the XII-VIII centuries B.C. in south-west part of historic Georgia (south-east of the Black Sea), existed Diaokh kingdom (later known as Tao, nowadays in Turkey). Kolkhic Kingdom was located on the Eastern coast of the Black Sea since the VI century BC (from Apsarosi to old Psou). Since the end of the IV century and the beginning of III century in Eastern Georgia there formed Kartli's Kingdom, with the capital Mtskheta; the first King of Kartli was Parnavaz. The geographical location of Georgia became the reason of cooperation with different countries and at the same time, chellenged the strong interest of the conquerors, as well. From the ancient times Iran, Rome, Bizanty, Arabic States, Turk-Selchucs, Mongols, Osmals, Russians were trying to strengthen their influence, that caused unfavoirable results for the country, destroyed its unity and turned Georgia into the territory for permanent military operation.

Heathen time left grand ruins of palaces, temples, fortresses and towns, (Uplistsikhe, Armazi, Urbnisi, Vani etc,.). the unique heritage of art, gold-smiting, ceramic works, mosaic paintings, etc.

In the first century A.D.. Georgia was misssioned by first Christians. The Christianity was declared as the state religion in the beginning of the IV century (337) while the ruling of King Mirian, as a result of saint Nino Kabadokieli preaching.

History of Georgian always has always been characterised by the tendency of unification. The Georgian satelites were uniting, separating, and then distributing between the conquerors. Untill the Parnavazian time the ruling period of Vakhtang Gorgasali (the new epoch) was also very important. During this period, while fighting against Iran conquerors, Georgian Church gained the Autokephalia At the same period were built: the stone building of Svetitskhoveli cathedral (the first building of Svetitskhoveli was built during the ruling of king Mirian), the Castle-town Ujarma, Artanuji, Cheremi, etc.

Since the ruling of Arabians (at the end of VII-IX century), unity of Georgia was broke up into several small separate kingdoms: Abkhaz Kingdom (capital Kutaisi) in West Georgia, Kakheti (capital Tianeti) and Hereti (capital Shaki) Kingdoms in East Georgia and South-west Georgian Kingdom (Tao-Klarjeti, capital Artanuji) under the leadership of Bagrationi Dynasty.

Despite of such difficult political situations Georgian culture was gently developing. Were built such brilliant simples of Georgian architecture, as: Bolnisi Sioni(V c.). Mtskheta Jvari (VI c.), Oshki, Bana and other great temples, were translated theological literature and were written Georgian Agiographical stories.

In the 970s Bagrat Bagrationi became the King of the country (975-1014) and by uniting separate Georgian kingdoms, was formed State of Georgia, which later become United Georgian Feudal Monarchy. As the Great United State Georgia existed until the XV century. Despite the hard battles with Turk-Selchuks (1070s and the, beginning of the XII century) 100 year ruling of Mongols (XIII - XIV centuries) The Country was developing . In the XII century Georgia became the strongest Christian State in the Near East, which was laid from Nicopsia (nowadays Tuapse) to Darubandi.

The most powerful Georgia was during the King David IV - Agmashenebeli (1089-1125) and the Queen Tamar (1184-1213). It was the time of strengthening and developing Georgian politics, culture and economy. In that period was written history of whole Georgia ('Kartlis Tskhovreba') and various philosophic tractates, was created the legal basis for jurisdiction, were built Alaverdi, Bagrati, Bana great temples, Gelati monastery complex, Vardzia Cave Town, etc.

The churches and monasteries at the same time were used as cultural and educational centers, where training of young pupils, translation of religious-philosophic literature and origin ones took place. The most popular and well-known Georgian poem Shota Rustaveli's 'Vepkhistkaosani' The Knight in the Tigers Skeen was created.

Since the XVI century Georgia was separated into small kingdoms and surrounded by Muslim countries Kingdom was fighting to save its religion and to survive.

After the Russian Empire appeared at the Eastern political arena, the belief for survival for Georgians was connected with Orthodox Christian Russia. Since the 2nd half of the XVII century the King of Kartl-Kakheti Erekle the II (1745-1798) and the King of Imereti Solomon (1754-1784) were fighting against Persia and Otoman Empire. In 1801 Russian Empire violated the 'Georgievsk Treaty.' They occupied Eastern Georgia and abrogated the Kartl- Kakheti kingdom. In 1803 Russians made anschluss of Imereti and other West Georgian principalities were occupied and Georgia's whole territory and divided as a Tbilisi and Kutaisi Guberny, the constitutive parts of Empire.

In 1864, there was Abolished selfdom in Georgia, which supported to develop capitalism in the country. In these difficult conditions the cultural activities were continuing. There were written historical and philosophic productions, were provided scientific observations, were existing publish-houses, theatres, libraries, etc. Leading Georgian intellectuals was fighting to improve national language and culture.

After the 1917 Revolution, Transcaucasia was separated from Russian Empire. In 26 May of 1918 the Independence of Georgia was declared. In 1920 was sign the agreement between Georgian Republic and Soviet Russia about non-aggression pact. In the 25-th of February of 1921 the 11-th Red Army abolished the agreement between Russia and Georgia and occupied country.

In 1991 After abolishing Soviet Putchi and collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia gained back its independence (officially declared in 26 May of 1991)."