Journey Through Mongol Invasions - History of Georgia

Georgia is a transcontinental nation in West Asia and Eastern Europe. Its population is up to 4 million. The largest city is Tbilisi, the capital, where over a third of the population lives. Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Black Sea, and Russia surround Georgia.

Over 80% of the population consists of Ethnic Georgians, with Christianity being the predominant religion. Let us have a look at Georgia's fascinating history.

Ancient Kingdoms and Early Christianity

Archaeological evidence suggests that humans have been in Georgia for up to 2 million years. Early traces of land tilling started at about 6,000 BC. In prehistoric times, the occupants of modern-day Georgia were known for textile-making and wine production.

Some famous ancient civilizations in the region include the Leyla-Tepe culture, the Trialetian Mesolithic, and the Shulaveri-Shomu culture. The Colchis kingdom occupied Western Georgia until the Romans took the area in 1 BC.

Eastern Georgia contained many decentralized tribes until Alexander the Great conquered it in 4 BC. When Alexander the Great's Empire collapsed into four segments, Eastern Georgia became the Kingdom of Iberia under the Seleucid Empire.

However, the Kingdom of Iberia was relatively a satellite state of the Romans. In the 4th century, Christianity became the state religion of the kingdom of Iberia, and this influence spread to Western Georgia's polytheistic system. During that same period, the region of Georgia gradually came under the control of the Sasanian Empire after a series of rebellions.

Mediaeval Golden Age and Mongol Invasions

The Sasanian Empire dissolved the kingdom of Iberia in 580 AD. Towards the end of the 6th century, the Byzantine Empire took control of the Georgian area and governed it via indirect rule.

In the middle of the 7th century, the Arabs took over and dominated Southeastern Georgia. The lack of centralized authority in Georgia meant that several empires controlled the different regions of Georgia.

Nevertheless, The Bagrationi dynasty conquered all opposition, unified all Georgian feudal states, and established the kingdom of Georgia. Prince David III became the King of Georgia in 1010. The Georgian kingdom was rife with internal divisions in the 1000s, with the Byzantine kingdom sponsoring groups that hated the centralization of the Georgian feudal groups.

The kingdom attained its Golden age between the 12th and the 13th century under the rule of David IV and Tamar, his great-granddaughter. This era was one of innovation in the sciences, philosophy, Arts, Literature, and Architecture.

There were also several vital military victories. The Georgian kingdom declined and was torn apart by the Mongolian invasion.

At the end of the 1230s, almost all Georgian territory fell to the Mongols. After the Mongolian Empire collapsed, the Georgian kingdom saw a bit of resurgence before collapsing again into anarchy by the end of the 1500s.

Incorporation into the Russian Empire

Due to the weakness of the Georgian kingdom, Iranian and Ottoman forces began to occupy the eastern and western regions. Feudal Georgian leaders had to consult Russia for help. In the late 18th century, Russia integrated Eastern Georgia into its territory and became a protectorate.

In 1801, Russia formally annexed the eastern region of Georgia. The Western areas also followed suit in the mid-1810s. Russia protected the people of Georgia from external enemies while being harsh to any local uprisings.

Soviet Era and Independence

When the Russian Empire crumbled after World War 1, Georgia gained its independence in 1918. Unfortunately, the Soviets invaded and annexed the country just four years later. Georgia became the Soviet Union's textile manufacturing hub.

During World War 2, many Georgians fought in the Red Army to repel the German invasion. In 1988, many Georgian nationalists fired up protests calling for national independence. In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed.

Georgia was the first non-Baltic state to declare its independence from the shackles of Communist rule. Shortly after the first presidential election won by Gamsakhurdia, the nation fell into a civil war that lasted till 1994.

Georgia's history from that period has been turbulent because of separatist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia briefly occupied the country in a war due to these movements. However, the Russian forces eventually withdrew.

Conclusion

This mountainous country in the South Caucasus has a rich history, filled with several ups and downs, even up to this day. Its long history has merged both Eastern and Western identities. This nation looks poised to maintain its beautiful folklore, art, cinema, and classic architecture.