List of monarchs of Georgia

King of Georgia
Portrait of King George XII, last Georgian monarch
Details
First monarchPharnavaz I
Last monarchGeorge XII
Formation299 BC
Abolition1800 AD
ResidenceArmazi
Mtskheta
Artanuji (now in Turkey)
Kutaisi
Tbilisi
Gremi
Telavi
PretendersDavid Bagration-Mukhranski[1]
Ana Bagrationi-Gruzinski[2][3][4]

This is a list of kings and queens regnant of the kingdoms of Georgia before Russian annexation in 1801–1810.

For more comprehensive lists, and family trees, of Georgian monarchs and rulers see Lists of monarchs of Georgia.

Kings of Iberia

[edit]
Name Portrait Reign[5] Notes
Pharnavaz I
ფარნავაზი
299 – 234 BC
King of Iberia.
Sauromaces I
საურმაგ I
234 – 159 BC
King of Iberia. Son of Pharnavaz.
Mirian I
მირიან I
159 – 109 BC
King of Iberia. Son-in-law and adopted son of Sauromaces I.
Pharnajom
ფარნაჯომი
109 – 90 BC
King of Iberia. Son of Mirian I.
Artaxias I
არშაკ I
90 – 78 BC
King of Iberia. Husband of Pharnajom's sister.
Artoces
არტაგი
78 – 63 BC
King of Iberia. Son of Artaxias I.
Pharnavaz II
ფარნავაზ II
63 – 30 BC
King of Iberia. Son of Artoces.
Mirian II
მირიან II
30 – 20 BC
King of Iberia. Son of Pharnajom.
Artaxias II
არშაკ II
20 BC – 1 AD
King of Iberia. Son of Mirian II.
Pharasmanes I the Great
ფარსმან I დიდი
1 – 58
King of Iberia. Grandson of Pharnavaz II.
Mihrdat I
მირდატ I
58 – 106
King of Iberia. Son of Pharasmanes I.
Amazasp I
ამაზასპი
106 – 116
King of Iberia. Son of Mihrdat I.
Pharasmanes II the Valiant
ფარსმან II ქველი
116 – 132
King of Iberia. Son of Amazasp I.
Ghadam
ღადამი
132 – 135
King of Iberia. Son of Pharasmanes II.
Pharasmanes III
ფარსმან III
135 – 185
King of Iberia. Son of Ghadam.
Amazasp II
ამაზასპ II
185 – 189
King of Iberia. Son of Pharasmanes III.
Rev I the Just
რევ I მართალი
189 – 216
King of Iberia. Son of Amazasp II's sister.
Vache
ვაჩე
216 – 234
King of Iberia. Son of Rev I.
Bacurius I
ბაკურ I
234 – 249
King of Iberia. Son of Vache.
Mihrdat II
მირდატ II
249 – 265
King of Iberia. Son of Bacurius I.
Amazasp III
ამაზასპ III
260 – 265
Anti-king of Iberia.
Aspacures I
ასფაგურ I
265 – 284
King of Iberia. Son of Mihrdat II.
Mirian III
მირიან III
284 – 361
King of Iberia. Husband of Aspacures I's daughter. The 1st Georgian king who adopted Christianity and introduced it as a state religion during his reign.
Co-ruled with his son Rev II (345–361).
Rev II
რევ II
345 – 361
Sauromaces II
საურმაგ II
361 – 363
King of Iberia. Son of Rev II.
Aspacures II
ასფაგურ II
363 – 365
King of Iberia. Son of Mirian III.
Mihrdat III
მირდატ III
365 – 380,
diarch 370–378
King of Iberia. Son of Aspacures II.
Ruled with Sauromaces II between 370 and 378.
Aspacures III
ასფაგურ III
380 – 394
King of Iberia. Son of Mihrdat III.
Trdat
თრდატი
394 – 406
King of Iberia. Son of Rev II.
Pharasmanes IV
ფარსმან IV
406 – 409
King of Iberia. Son of Aspacures III.
Mihrdat IV
მირდატ IV
409 – 411
King of Iberia. Son of Aspacures III.
Archil
არჩილი
411 – 435
King of Iberia. Son of Mihrdat IV.
Mihrdat V
მირდატ V
435 – 447
King of Iberia. Son of Archil.
Vakhtang I Gorgasali
ვახტანგ I გორგასალი
447 – 522
King of Iberia. Son of Mihrdat V.
Dachi
დაჩი
522 – 534
King of Iberia. Son of Vakhtang I.
Bacurius II
ბაკურ II
534 – 547
King of Iberia. Son of Dachi.
Pharasmanes V
ფარსმან V
547 – 561
King of Iberia. Son of Bacurius II.
Pharasmanes VI
ფარსმან VI
561 – ?
King of Iberia. Son of Pharasmanes V's brother.
Bacurius III
ბაკურ III
? – 580
The last king of Iberia. Son of Pharasmanes VI. Kingship was abolished by Hormizd IV of the Sasanian Empire.

Presiding princes of Iberia

[edit]
Ruler Portrait Reign Family Overlord Notes
Guaram I 588 – 590 Guaramid (Byzantine Empire)
Stephen I 590 – 627 Guaramid
Adarnase I 627 – 642 Chosroid (Byzantine Empire)

(Rashidun Caliphate)

Stephen II 642 – 650 Chosroid

(Umayyad Caliphate)

(Abbasid Caliphate)

Adarnase II 650 – 684 Chosroid
Guaram II 684 – 693 Guaramid
Guaram III 693 – 748 Guaramid
Adarnase III 748 – 760 Nersianid
Nerse 760 – 772 Nersianid
Vacancy: 772 – 775
Nerse 775 – 780 Nersianid
Stephen III 780 – 786 Guaramid
Vacancy: 786 – 813
Ashot I 813 – 830 Bagrationi (Byzantine Empire)
Bagrat I 830 – 876 Bagrationi
David I 876 – 881 Bagrationi
Gurgen I 881 – 888 Bagrationi

Georgia under Bagrationi dynasty

[edit]

Partitions of Georgia

[edit]
Guaramid Principality of Iberia
(780–786)
Direct rule of Iberia
by the Abbasid Caliphate
(786–813)
Duchy of Tao-Klarjeti
(780–876)
Principality of Iberia
(813–888)
Duchy
of Javakheti
(830–882)
Duchy of Tao
(830)
Demoted to:
Duchy
of Upper Tao
(930–1008)[a]
Raised to:
Kingdom of Iberia
(888–1008)
Duchy
of Klarjeti
(876–1028)
      
Annexed to the
Byzantine Empire
(1008–1073)
Renamed
Kingdom of Georgia[b]
(1008–1259)
Kingdom of
Western Georgia
(1259–1330)
Kingdom of
Eastern Georgia
(1259–1330)
      
Kingdom of Georgia
(1330–1490)[c]
Kingdom
of Kakheti
(1463–1746)
Kingdom
of Imereti
(1490–1810)
Kingdom
of Kartli
(1490–1746)
Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti
(1746–1800)
Annexed to the Russian Empire

Table of rulers

[edit]
Ruler[d] Born Reign Ruling part Consort Death Notes
Adarnase I
(ადარნასე I)
c. 740?
Son of Vasak Bagratuni [fr]
780 – 807 Duchy of Tao
(from 786 in Javakheti only)
Unknown
(daughter of Nerse of Iberia)
one child
807
aged at least 66–67?
Ashot I the Great
(აშოტ I დიდი)
c. 770
Son of Adarnase
786 – 830 Duchy of Tao
(with the Principality of Iberia since 813)
Unknown
four children
c. 830
Nigali valley
aged 59–60?
First of the Bagratid family to be Prince of Iberia, in 813. From his base in Tayk/Tao, he fought to enlarge the Bagratid territories and sought the Byzantine protectorate against the Arab encroachment. A patron of Christian culture and a friend of the church, he has been canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Bagrat I
(ბაგრატ I)
822
Son of Ashot I
830 – 876 Duchy of Lower Tao
(with the Principality of Iberia)
Unknown (of Armenia)
(daughter of Smbat VIII Bagratuni)
three children
876
aged at least 53–54
Children of Ashot, divided their patrimony. Bagrat was also Presiding Prince of Iberia, under Byzantine influence. Bagrat found himself in a constant struggle with the Arabs, the Abkhazians and the Kakhetians over the possession of central Iberia. Guaram left his property to his family, disregarding his own son.
Adarnase II
(ადარნასე II)
c.825
Son of Ashot I
830 – 867 Duchy of Upper Tao Bevreli of Abkhazia
(daughter of Bagrat I of Abkhazia)
three children
867
aged at least 40-41
Guaram
(გუარამ)
c.825
Son of Ashot I
830 – 882 Duchy of Javakheti Unknown (of Armenia)
(daughter of Smbat VIII Bagratuni)
one child
882
aged at least 55-56
Javakheti divided between both parts of Tao
Gurgen I
(გურგენ I)
c.850
First son of Adarnase II and Bevreli of Abkhazia
867 – 891 Duchy of Upper Tao
(with the Principality of Iberia since 881)
Unknown (of Armenia)
(daughter of Smbat VIII Bagratuni)
two children
891
aged 40-41
Children of Adarnase II, divided their inheritance. Gurgen joined prince Adarnase and king Ashot I of Armenia against prince Nasra of Javakheti, who wanted to dispossess Adarnase of his patrimonial inheritance. Adarnase claimed a royal status since then, and Gurgen retained his patrimony. As for Sumbat, he ruled in Klarjeti with the title of mampali.
Sumbat I
(სუმბატ I)
c.850
Second son of Adarnase II of Tao-Klarjeti and Bevreli of Abkhazia
876 – 889 Principality of Klarjeti Khosrovanush
two children
889
aged 38-39
David I
(დავით I)
c.850
Son of Bagrat I
876 – 881 Duchy of Lower Tao
(with the Principality of Iberia)
Unknown
(daughter of Constantine III of Abkhazia)
two children
881
aged 30-31
Adarnase IV[e]
(ადარნასე IV)
c.850
Son of David I
881 – 923[f] Kingdom of Iberia
(in only Lower Tao until 888)
Unknown
six children
923
aged 72-73
Adarnase, his cousin prince Gurgen of Iberia and king Ashot I of Armenia fought against prince Nasra of Tao-Klarjeti, who wanted to dispossess Adarnase of his patrimonial inheritance. The victory allowed the latter to claim a royal status for himself. Adarnase was, then, responsible for the restoration of the Iberian kingship, merging the principality of Iberia with his duchy of Lower Tao. The kingdom had been in abeyance since it had been abolished by Sasanian Empire in the 6th century.
David I the Great
(დავით I)
c.875
Son of Sumbat I
889 – 23 February 943 Duchy of Klarjeti Unknown
one child
23 February 943
aged 67-68
Children of Sumbat I, ruled jointly.
Bagrat I
(ბაგრატი I)
c.875
Son of Sumbat I
889 – 20 April 900 Unknown
five children
20 April 900
aged 24-25
Adarnase III
(ადარნასე III)
c.875
First son of Gurgen I
891 – 896 Duchy of Upper Tao Unknown
three children
896
aged 20-21
Regency of Duke Ashot of Upper Tao (აშოტ კუხი) (896-908) Died young. Left no descendants, and was succeeded by his uncle.
David [fr]
(დავით)
c.890
First son of Adarnase III
896 – 908 Duchy of Upper Tao Unmarried 908
aged 17-18?
Ashot I (II) the Immature[g]
(აშოტ კუხი)
c.875
Second son of Gurgen I
908 – 918 Duchy of Upper Tao Unmarried 918
Tbeti
aged 42-43?
Previous regent, later assumed the throne.
Gurgen II the Great
(გურგენ II დიდი)
c.890
Second son of Adarnase III
918 – 14 February 941 Duchy of Upper Tao Unknown (of Klarjeti)
(daughter of Ashot the Swift)
one child
14 February 941
agEd 50-51?
A patron of local monastic communities, Gurgen presided over the construction of a new cathedral at Khandzta. Gurgen was an energetic ruler and accumulated in his hands much power, ruling over Tao, parts of Klarjeti and Javakheti, and also Adjara and Nigali. The expansion of his territories was at the expense of his cousins and neighbours. However, left no male children and his lands went to his cousins.
David II
(დავით II)
c.890
Son of Adarnase IV
923 – 937 Kingdom of Iberia Unmarried 937
aged 46-47
In spite of his royal title and unlike his father, David did not bear the traditional high Byzantine title of curopalates, which was bestowed by the emperor upon David's younger brother Ashot II. As a result, David's influence and prestige were overshadowed by those of this younger brother.
Sumbat I
(სუმბატ I)
c.890
Son of Adarnase IV
937 – 958 Kingdom of Iberia
(with Lower Tao since 954)
Unknown
two children
958
aged 67-68
Brothers of David II; The Iberian kingdom split and Lower Tao re-emerged, to be reunited with Upper Tao in 941. However, Lower Tao re-merged in Iberia in 954.
Ashot II
(გურგენ II დიდი)
c.890
Son of Adarnase IV of Iberia
937 – 25 February 954 Duchy of Tao
(in only Lower Tao until 941)
Unmarried 25 February 954
aged 61-62
Bagrat I
(ბაგრატ I)
c.890
Son of Adarnase IV of Iberia
937 – March 945 Unknown (of Klarjeti)
(daughter of Ashot the Swift)
one child
March 945
aged 54-55
Sumbat II
(სუმბატ II)
c.910?
Son of David I
23 February 943 – 988 Duchy of Klarjeti Unknown
one child
988
aged 77-78?
Adarnase IV[h]
(ადარნასე IV)
c.910?
Son of Bagrat I
25 February 954 – 961 Duchy of Upper Tao Unknown
two children
961
aged 50-51
Tao divided again; Adarnase received only the Upper part of Tao, while the Lower was again retained under the main Iberian line.
Bagrat II the Simple
(ბაგრატ II რეგუენი)
c.920?
Son of Sumbat I
958 – 994 Kingdom of Iberia Unmarried 994
aged 73-74?
Frequently appeared as a collaborator of his relative David III of Tao, the most influential person among the Bagratids of that time, aiding him against the Rawadids of Azerbaijan.
Bagrat II
(ბაგრატ II)
c.930?
First son of Adarnase IV
961 – 966 Duchy of Upper Tao Unmarried 966
aged 35-36?
David III the Great
(დავით III დიდი)
c.930?
Second son of Adarnase IV
966 – 1001 Duchy of Upper Tao Unknown
two children
1001
aged 70-71?
David II
(დავით II)
c.930?
Son of Sumbat II
988 – 993 Duchy of Klarjeti Unmarried 993
aged 62-63?
Sons of Sumbat II, ruled jointly for forty days, before Bagrat's death.
Bagrat II
(ბაგრატი II)
c.930?
Son of Sumbat II
988 Unknown
two children
988
aged 57-58?
Sumbat III
(სუმბატი III)
c.950?
Son of Bagrat II
993 – 1011 Duchy of Klarjeti Unknown
two children
1011
aged 60-61?
Gurgen II
(გურგენი II)
c.940?
Son of Bagrat II
994 – 1008 Kingdom of Iberia Gurandukht of Abkhazia
one child
1008
aged 67-68?
In 1008, Bagrat, who had been King of Abkhazia since 978, inherited from his father Gurgen the crown of Iberia. The two kingdoms united into what came to be known as the Kingdom of Georgia.
Bagrat III the Unifier
(ბაგრატ III)
960
Kutaisi
Son of Gurgen of Georgia and Gurandukht of Abkhazia

Adopted son of David III
1001 – 1008 Duchy of Upper Tao Martha
two children
7 May 1014
Tao
aged 53/54
Nephew of Theodosius III of Abkhazia. United for the first time all the territory of Georgia.
1008 – 7 May 1014 Kingdom of Georgia
In 1008, Upper Tao was annexed to the Byzantine Empire, and was then recovered by Georgia in 1073, in the aftermath of the Battle of Manzikert
Bagrat III
(ბაგრატ III)
c.970?
Son of Sumbat III
1011 – 1028 Duchy of Klarjeti Unmarried 1028
aged 57-58?
In 1028 he was imprisoned by Bagrat IV of Georgia, and died during captivity. His lands were absorbed by Georgia.
In 1028, Klarjeti was annexed to Georgia
George I
(გიორგი I)
996
Kutaisi
Son of Bagrat III and Martha
7 May 1014 – 16 August 1027 Kingdom of Georgia Mariam of Vaspurakan
c.1018(annulled)
four children

Alda of Alania
one child
16 August 1027
Mqinwarni or Itaroni
aged 30-31
Regency of Mariam of Vaspurakan (მარიამი, Մարիամ) (1027-1037) His mother, while regent, negotiated a peace treaty with the Byzantine Empire, and returned with the high Byzantine title of curopalates for Bagrat in 1032. Bagrat had the opposition of:
Bagrat IV
(ბაგრატ IV)
1018
Son of George I and Mariam of Vaspurakan
16 August 1027 – 24 November 1072 Kingdom of Georgia Helena Argyre
1032
Kutaisi
no children

Borena of Alania
Between 1033 and 1040
three children
24 November 1072
Marabda[6]
aged 53-54
George II
(გიორგი II)
1054
Kutaisi
Son of Bagrat IV and Borena of Alania
24 November 1072 – 1089

1089-1112
(nominally)
Kingdom of Georgia Helena [ka]
c.1070
one child
1112
aged 57-58
Previously opposed to his father. Unable to deal effectively with the constant Seljuk Turkish attacks and overwhelmed by internal problems in his kingdom, George was forced to abdicate in favor of his energetic son David, to whom he remained a nominal co-ruler until his death in 1112.
David IV the Builder[i]
(დავით IV აღმაშენებელი)
1073
Kutaisi
Son of George II and Helena [ka]
1089 – 24 January 1125 Kingdom of Georgia Rusudan of Armenia
c.1090
(annulled 1107)
four children?

Gurandukht of the Kipchaks [ka]
c.1107
four children?
24 January 1125
Tbilisi
aged 51-52
Popularly considered to be the greatest and most successful Georgian ruler in history and an original architect of the Georgian Golden Age, he succeeded in driving the Seljuk Turks out of the country in 1121. His reforms enabled him to reunite the country and bring most of the lands of the Caucasus under Georgia's control.
Demetrius I
(დემეტრე I)
1093
Son of David IV and Rusudan of Armenia
24 January 1125 – 1154

1155–1156
Kingdom of Georgia Unknown
Before 1130
four children
1156
Mtskheta
aged 62-63
Also a poet. In 1154, he was forced by his own son David to abdicate and become a monk. With David's death months later, he was restored to the throne, but did not survive much longer. Demetrius had the opposition of:
  • Prince David (დავით) (1130), Demetrius' heir, opposed to his father for a brief period. Even with the rebellion crushed, he ended up expelling his father from the throne.
David V
(დავით V)
1113
First son of Demetrius I
1154 – 1155 Kingdom of Georgia Unknown
Before 1130
at least one child
1155
aged 40-41
Previous opponent against his father. Forced him to abdicate, but died a few months later.
George III
(გიორგი III)
c.1115
Second son of
Demetrius I
1155 – 27 March 1184 Kingdom of Georgia Burdukhan of Alania
c.1155
two children
27 March 1184
aged 68-69
His reign was part of what would be called the Georgian Golden Age – a historical period in the High Middle Ages, during which the Kingdom of Georgia reached the peak of its military power and development. However, George had the opposition of:
Tamar I the Great
(თამარ მეფე)
c.1160
Daughter of
George III and Burdukhan of Alania
27 March 1184 – 18 January 1213 Kingdom of Georgia Yury Bogolyubsky
c.1185
(annulled 1187)
no children

David Soslan
1189
two children
18 January 1213
Agarani
aged 52-53
Co-ruler with her father since 1178. Ruled in a period of political and military successes and cultural achievements, presiding the peak of the Georgian Golden Age.
George IV the Resplendent
(გიორგი IV ლაშა)
c.1191
Son of David Soslan and Queen Tamar
18 January 1213 – 18 January 1223 Kingdom of Georgia Unmarried 18 January 1223
Bagavan
aged 31–32
Co-ruler with his mother since 1207, continued her policy, but, at the end of his reign was defeated by a Mongol expedition.
Rusudan
(რუსუდან მეფე)
1194
Daughter of David Soslan and Queen Tamar
18 January 1223 – 1245 Kingdom of Georgia Ghias ad-din
c.1223 (annulled 1226)
two children
1245
Tbilisi
aged 50–51
Period marked by Mongol invasions of Georgia. The queen was forced to accept the sovereignty of the Mongol Khan in 1242, to pay an annual tribute and to support the Mongols with a Georgian army.
David VI & I the Clever
(დავით VI ნარინი)
1225
Son of Ghias ad-din and Queen Rusudan
1245 – 1293[j] Kingdom of Western Georgia
(in all Georgia until 1259)
Tamar Amanelisdze
before 1254
three children

Theodora Doukaina Palaiologina of Byzantium
1254
one child
1293
Tbilisi
aged 67–68
Co-ruler with his mother since 1230, David VI disappeared from Georgia in 1246, and was found with the Mongols by the newly elected ruler, his cousin David VII, in 1248. Both were forced to share power, and, albeit rising against Mongol domination (1259), David VI failed and had to flee to Kutaisi in Western Georgia. Establishing there a new kingdom, he successfully maintained trade and contacts with the West. He also built friendly relations with the Golden Horde and Bahri dynasty of Egypt, repulsed the Ilkhanate attacks, and interfered in Trebizond's politics. As for David VII, the Mongol dominance and the taxes he was subject to eventually led to a political and economic crisis in the kingdom.
David VII the Elder
(დავით VII ულუ)
1215
Illegitimate son of George IV
1248 – 1270[j] Kingdom of Eastern Georgia
(in all Georgia until 1259)
Jigda-Khatun
before 1252
no children

Altun of Alania
(in bigamy, repudiated 1252)
c.1249

Gvantsa Kakhaberidze
(in polygamy until 1252)
1250
one child

Esukan
1263
no children
1270
Tbilisi
aged 54-55
Between 1259 and 1330, due to the consequences of the Mongol invasions, Georgia was ruled by two distinct kings. David VI and David VII, who had ruled together as vassals of the Mongols, ruled distinct parts of the country from 1259. However, there were several moments in which the Eastern kingdom had dominance over all Georgia.
Demetrius II the Devoted
(დემეტრე II თავდადებული)
1259
First son of David VII and Gvantsa Kakhaberidze
1270 – 12 March 1289 Kingdom of Eastern Georgia Theodora Megala Komnene of Trebizond [el]
1277
five children

Solghar of Mongolia
(in polygamy?)
Before 1280
three children

Natela Jaqeli
(in polygamy?)
1280
one child
12 March 1289
Movakani
aged 29-30
Criticized for his possible polygamy. Executed by the Great Khan.
Vakhtang II[k]
(ვახტანგ II)
c.1250
First son of David VI and Tamar Amanelisdze
12 March 1289 – 1292 Kingdom of Eastern Georgia Oljath Khan
1289
no children
1292
aged 41-42?
Ascended in Eastern Georgia, with the consent of the Mongols.
Constantine I
(კონსტანტინე I)
c.1260[l]
First son of David VI and Tamar Amanelisdze
1293 – 1327 Kingdom of Western Georgia Unknown
Before 1327
no children
1327
aged 66-67?
Unlike his western counterparts, Constantine remained independent from the Ilkhanid hegemony. However, his troubled reign was marked by the opposition of his brother, Michael.
David VIII
(დავით VIII)
1273
First son of Demetre II and Theodora Megala Komnene of Trebizond [el]
1292 – 1302

1308 – 1311
Kingdom of Eastern Georgia Oljath Khan
1291
no children

Unknown, from Surameli family
1302
one child
1311
aged 37-38
Refused to submit to the orders of the Mongols, and between 1299 and 1308 he was declared a deposed king, as his own brothers were supported by the Mongol Khan. Albeit forced to abdicate of the throne by his brother Vakhtang, after the latter's death he was restored as king. In 1299, the Ilkhanid khan Ghazan installed his brother as a rival ruler:
  • George V, King of Georgia (1299-1302), his authority did not extend beyond the Mongol-protected capital Tbilisi, so George was referred to during this period as "The Shadow King of Tbilisi". Historians number him "V" because of this period.
Vakhtang III
(ვახტანგ III)
1276
Second son of Demetre II and Theodora Megala Komnene of Trebizond [el]
1302 – 1308 Kingdom of Eastern Georgia Ripsime
1297
two children
1308
aged 31-32
Regency of Prince George of Georgia (1311-1313) Has as regent his uncle, prince George, who had opposed his father. Died as minor, and this uncle took power.
George VI the Minor
(გიორგი VI მცირე)
c.1302
Son of David VIII
1311 – 1313 Kingdom of Eastern Georgia Unmarried 1313
aged 10-11
George V the Brilliant[m]
(გიორგი V ბრწყინვალე)
1286
Son of Demetre II and Natela Jaqeli
1313 – 1346 Kingdom of Georgia
(in Eastern Georgia until 1330)
Unknown
before 1346
one son
1346
aged 59-60
"Re-ascended" as a fully recognized king, reuniting Georgia in 1330. A flexible and far-sighted politician, he recovered Georgia from a century-long Mongol domination, restoring the country's previous strength and Christian culture.
Michael
(მიქელ I)
c.1260[l]
Third son of David VI and Tamar Amanelisdze
1327 – 1329 Kingdom of Western Georgia Unknown
c.1270
one child
1329
aged 68-69?
Opposed his brother, Constantine I. Sought to resubjugate to the crown the great nobles and provincial dynasts who had asserted greater autonomy for themselves in the reign of Constantine I.
Council of Regency (1329-1330) Still a minor, was deposed by George V.
Bagrat I the Minor
(ბაგრატ I მცირე)
c.1320
Son of Michael I
1329 – 1330 Kingdom of Western Georgia Unknown
(a daughter of Qvarqvare II Jaqeli)
1358
three children
1372
aged 51-52?
Western Georgia reunited with the Eastern part
David IX
(დავით IX)
c.1300?
Son of George V
1346 – 1360 Kingdom of Georgia Sindukhtar Jaqeli
c.1330?
two children
1360
aged 59-60?
The prosperity of the kingdom did not last, as the Black Death swept through the area in 1348. In 1360, Georgia lost Armenia.
Bagrat V the Great
(ბაგრატ V დიდი)
c.1330?
Son of George V
1360 – 1393 Kingdom of Georgia
(in Eastern Georgia during a brief division period in 1387-1392)
Helena Megala Komnene of Trebizond
c.1360
two children

Anna Megala Komnene of Trebizond
June 1366
one child
1393
aged 62-63?
A fair and popular ruler, was imprisoned by the Golden Horde. Agreed to convert from Christianity and become Muslim.
Alexander I
(ალექსანდრე I)
c.1360
First son of Bagrat I
1387 – 1389 Kingdom of Imereti Anna Orbeliani
Before 1389
two children
1389
aged 28-29?
Rebelled against the main power in Georgia; Western part sepaated again.
George I
(გიორგი I)
c.1360
Second son of Bagrat I
1389–1392 Kingdom of Imereti Unmarried 1392
aged 31-32?
After his death in 1392, Western Georgia is reincorporated in the Eastern part.
Western Georgia reunited with the Eastern part
George VII
(გიორგი VII)
c.1360
Son of Bagrat V and Helena Megala Komnene of Trebizond
1393–1407 Kingdom of Eastern Georgia
(in all Georgia until 1396)
Unmarried 1407
aged 46-47?
In 1396, Constantine took advantage of George VII's continuous war with Timur—in which a great number of Imeretians died—and the death of Vameq Dadiani and returned to Imereti.
Constantine II
(კონსტანტინე II)
c.1360
Third son of Bagrat I
1396 – 1401 Kingdom of Western Georgia Unmarried 1401
aged 40-41?
Constantine I
(კონსტანტინე I)
c.1366
Son of Bagrat V and Anna Megala Komnene of Trebizond
1407 – 1412 Kingdom of Eastern Georgia Natia Amirejibi [ka]
c.1389
three children
1412
aged 45-46
Demetrius I
(დემეტრე I)
Before 1389
Son of Alexander I and Anna Orbeliani
1401 – 1412 Kingdom of Western Georgia Unknown
Before 1445
no children
1445
aged at least 55-56
From 1412 accepts suzerainty from Georgia and rules as duke of Imereti.
Western Georgia reunited with the Eastern part
Alexander I the Great
(ალექსანდრე I დიდი)
1386
Son of Constantine I and Natia Amirejibi [ka]
1412 – 1442 Kingdom of Georgia Dulandukht Orbeliani
c.1411
three children

Tamar of Western Georgia
c.1414
three children
27 August 1445 or 7 March 1446
aged 58–60
Regained Imereti in 1412. Despite his efforts to restore the country from the ruins left by the Turco-Mongol warlord Timur's invasions, Georgia never recovered and faced the inevitable fragmentation that was followed by a long period of stagnation. He was the last ruler of a united Georgia which was relatively free from foreign domination. Abdicated.
Demetrius III
(დიმიტრი III)
c.1413
First son of Alexander I and Dulandukht Orbeliani
1442 – December 1446 Kingdom of Georgia Gulkhan of Western Georgia [ka]
(d.1472)
c.1450
one child
1453
aged 39-40
Co-rulers since 1433. Demetrius abdicated after his brother's death.
Vakhtang IV
(ვახტანგ IV)
c.1413
Second son of Alexander I and Dulandukht Orbeliani
Sitikhatun Panaskerteli-Tsitsishvili [ka]
c.1442
no children
December 1446
aged 32-33
George VIII
(გიორგი VIII)
1417
Son of Alexander I and Tamar of Imereti
December 1446 – 1466 Kingdom of Georgia
(in Eastern Georgia only since 1463)
Tamar Jaqeli [ka]
1445
five children?

Nestan-Darejan
1456
five children?
1476
aged 58-59
In 1463 lost Imereti once more. From 1465, renounced Georgia and ruled only in Kakheti.
1466 – 1476 Kingdom of Kakheti
Bagrat VI
(ბაგრატ VI)
1439
Son of Prince George of Georgia and Gulkhan of Western Georgia [ka]
1463 – 1478 Kingdom of Georgia
(in Western Georgia only until 1466)
Helena
(d. 3 November 1510)
three children
1478
aged 58-59
Paternal grandson of Constantine I of Georgia. In 1463 rose as King of Imereti, and in 1466 ascended in Kartli (the part George VIII renounced), reuniting it with Imereti.
Alexander I
(ალექსანდრე I)
1445
Son of George VIII and Tamar or Nestan-Darejan
1476 – 27 April 1511 Kingdom of Kakheti Anna Cholokashvili
two children

Tinatin(the same person as Anna?)
27 April 1511
aged 65-66
Alexander's pliancy and flexible diplomacy earned him security from the neighboring powers, only to be murdered by his own son George II "the Bad". He recognized the suzerainty of Shah Ismail I of Safavid Iran at the beginning of the 16th century.[7]
Alexander II
(ალექსანდრე II)
c.1460?
Son of Bagrat VI and Helena
1478 Kingdom of Georgia Tamar
(d. 12 March 1510)
seven children
1 April 1510
Kutaisi
aged 49-50?
After being deposed by his uncle Constantine II, Alexander recovered Imereti after Constantine's defeat at the hands of Qvarqvare II Jaqeli, a powerful atabeg of Samtskhe, in 1483, but lost Kutaisi to Constantine again a year later. In 1490, Alexander took advantage of the Ak Koyunlu Turkoman invasion of Kartli, and seized control of Imereti.
1484 – 1 April 1510 Kingdom of Western Georgia
(until 1490)

Kingdom of Imereti
(since 1490)
Constantine II
(კონსტანტინე II)
1447
Son of Demetrius III and Gulkhan of Western Georgia [ka]
1478 – 1505 Kingdom of Kartli
(in Georgia until 1490)
Tamar
(d. 1492)
1473
eleven children
1505
aged 57-58
Paternal grandson of Alexander I of Georgia. Early in the 1490s, he had to recognise the independence of his rival rulers of Imereti and Kakheti, and to confine his power to Kartli.
In 1490, after several decades of dynastic infighting, a national council agreed on the division of the Kingdom of Georgia into three kingdoms.[8] The Kings of Georgia retained the largest portion of the divided kingdom which reverted to its old name of Kartli. Imereti and Kakheti emerged as the other two Bagrationi kingdoms created out of the division.
David X
(დავით X)
1482
First son of Constantine II and Tamar
1505 – 1526 Kingdom of Kartli Nestan-Darejan Baratashvili
no children

Tamar (Jaqeli?) [ka]
(d.1554)
eight children
1526
Tbilisi
aged 43-44
Despite the fact that Constantine had recognised the independence of the breakaway Georgian kingdoms of Imereti and Kakheti, the rivalry among these polities was to continue under David. He had to defend his kingdom against the attacks by Alexander II of Imereti and George II of Kakheti.
Bagrat III
(ბაგრატ III)
23 September 1495
Son of Alexander II and Tamar
1 April 1510 – September 1565 Kingdom of Imereti Elena
(d.1565)
six children
September 1565
aged 69-70
Faced repeated assaults from the Ottoman Turks as well as conflicts with his ostensible vassal princes of Mingrelia, Guria, and Abkhazia who were frequently joining the enemy.
George II the Wicked
(გიორგი II)
1464
Tbilisi
Son of Alexander I and Dulandukht Orbeliani
27 April 1511 – 1513 Kingdom of Kakheti Elena Irubakidze-Cholokashvili
(d.1532)
three children
1513
Tbilisi
aged 48-49
After a failed incursion in Kartli, ended in prison, where he was soon killed.
Kakheti briefly annexed to Kartli
Leon
(ლევანი)
1504
Tbilisi
Son of George II and Elena Irubakidze-Cholokashvili
1520 – 1574 Kingdom of Kakheti Tinatin Gurieli
(annulled 1529)
two children

Unknown
(daughter of Kamal Kara-Musel, Shamkhal of Tarku)
fourteen children
1574
Tbilisi
aged 69-70
Restored the kingdom of Kakheti and presided over the most prosperous and peaceful period in its history.
George IX
(გიორგი IX)
c.1485
Second son of Constantine II and Tamar
1525 – 1527 Kingdom of Kartli Unmarried 1539
aged 53-54?
Abdicated to his nephew.
Luarsab I
(ლუარსაბ I)
1502
Son of David X and Tamar (Jaqeli?) [ka]
1527 – 1556 Kingdom of Kartli Tamar of Imereti
eight children
1556
Garisi
aged 53-54
Persistent in his resistance against Safavid Persian aggression, he was killed in the Battle of Garisi.
Simon I the Great
(სიმონ I დიდი)
1537
First son of Luarsab I and Tamar of Imereti
1556 – 1569

1578 – 1599
Kingdom of Kartli Nestan-Darejan of Kakheti
1559
one child
1611
Constantinople
aged 73-74
His first tenure was marked by war against the Persian domination of Georgia. In 1569 he was captured by the Persians, and spent nine years in captivity. In 1578 he was released and reinstalled in Kartli. During this period (i.e. his second tenure), he fought as a Persian subject against the Ottoman domination of Georgia. In 1599 Simon I was captured by the Ottomans and died in captivity.
George II
(გიორგი II)
c.1515
Son of Bagrat III and Elena
1565 – 1585 Kingdom of Imereti Unknown
one child

Rusudan Shervashidze
(d.1578)
two children

Christina-Tamar Diasamidze [ka]
three children
1585
aged 69-70
With his ascend to the throne, George found himself involved in the civil war among his vassals.
David XI
Dāwūd Khan II
(დავით XI,
داود خان,
დაუთ-ხანი)
c.1540
Second son of Luarsab I and Tamar of Imereti
1569 – 1578 Kingdom of Kartli Elena
(relative of Alexander II of Kakheti)
four children
c.1579
Constantinople
aged less than 38-39?
A convert to Islam, he was appointed as Khan of Kartli by the Persian Shah Tahmasp I from 1562 (effectively from 1569) to 1578.
Alexander II
(ალექსანდრე II)
1527
Tbilisi
Son of Leon and Tinatin Gurieli
1574 – October 1601

21 October 1602 – 12 March 1605
Kingdom of Kakheti Tinatin Amilakhvari
eight children
12 March 1605
Dzegami
aged 77-78
In spite of a precarious international situation, he managed to retain relative economic stability in his kingdom and tried to establish contacts with the Tsardom of Russia. In October 1601, Alexander's son, David, revolted from the royal authority and seized the crown, forcing his father to retire to a monastery. David would die a year later, on October 2, 1602, and Alexander was able to resume the throne. Alexander fell victim to the Iran-sponsored coup led by his other son, Constantine.
Levan
(ლევანი)
1573
Son of George II and Rusudan Shervashidze
September 1585 – 1588 Kingdom of Imereti Marekhi Dadiani
no children
1590
aged 17-18
With his ascension to the throne, Leon faced a revolt by his own uncle, Constantine, who defied the royal authority and took control of Upper Imereti. Leon made an alliance with the Mingrelian prince Mamia IV Dadiani, and forced Constantine to surrender in 1587. He then would also face the hostilities of Simon I of Kartli and his own brother-in-law, who deposed him.
Rostom
(როსტომი)
1571
(Illegitimate?) Son of Prince Constantine
1588 – 1589

1590 – 1605
Kingdom of Imereti Unmarried 1605
aged 33-34
With support of Mamia IV Dadiani, Rostom was raised to the throne, but his authority was defied by Giorgi II Gurieli, who employed an Ottoman force to dethrone the king in favor of Bagrat IV (paternal grandson of Bagrat III). After Rostom fled to Mingrelia, Simon I of Kartli deposed Bagrat IV and brought most of Imereti under his control. Manuchar I Dadiani rejected Simon's ultimatum, moved into Imereti, defeated the invaders and reinstated Rostom as king. However, the authority started to be held by an aristocratic élite, notably by the prince of Mingrelia.
Bagrat IV
(ბაგრატ IV)
1565
Son of Prince Teimuraz[n]
1589 – 1590 Kingdom of Imereti c.1590
aged 24-25?
George X
(გიორგი X)
1561
Tbilisi
Son of Simon I and Nestan-Darejan of Kakheti
1599 – 7 September 1606 Kingdom of Kartli Tamar Lipartiani [ka]
(d.1614)
15 September 1578
five children
7 September 1606
Constantinople
aged 44-45
Fought alongside his father against the Ottoman occupation forces since 1598. Held power after Simon was taken captive by the Turks at the Battle of Nakhiduri in 1599. George attempted several times, though vainly, to ransom his father (who would die as a prisoner in 1612) from captivity and even offered his son as hostage to the Sublime Porte. Supported the Persians against the Ottomans. He was the first king of Kartli who attempted to establish diplomatic ties with the northern co-religionist power of Muscovy. However, unstable political situation in both countries terminated these contacts.
David I
(დავით I)
1569
Gremi
Son of Alexander II and Tinatin Amilakhvari
October 1601 – 21 October 1602 Kingdom of Kakheti Ketevan of Mukhrani, the Martyr
1581
four children
21 October 1602
Gremi
aged 31-32
In mid-1601, he capitalized on the illness of his father and gained an effective control of the government. However, died a year later. His father then recovered the throne.
Constantine I
Kustandil Khan
(კონსტანტინე I,
کنستانتین خان‎,
კონსტანტინე ხანი)
1567
Tbilisi
Son of Alexander II and Tinatin Amilakhvari
12 March – 22 October 1605 Kingdom of Kakheti Unknown
(a granddaughter of Alexander II)
22 October 1605
Tbilisi
aged 33-34
His subjects refused to recognize a patricide (he murdered Alexander II) and revolted. The rebellion was led by Constantine's sister-in-law, the widow Ketevan, who requested aid from George X of Kartli. Constantine bribed some of the rebel nobles, but in the end had to flee. The rebels sent emissaries to Abbas I of Persia and pledged loyalty, provided that Abbas confirmed their candidate, Ketevan's son Teimuraz, as a Christian king of Kakheti.
George III
(გიორგი III)
c.1570
Son of Prince Constantine and Elena Gurieli
1605 – 1639 Kingdom of Imereti Tamar
(d.1639)
no children
1639
aged 68-69
His authority was seriously undermined by the energetic prince of Mingrelia, Levan II Dadiani, whose increasing influence George tried to restrict without success.
Regency of Ketevan of Mukhrani (ქეთევან წამებული) (1605-1614) An admirer of Persian poetry, Teimuraz translated into Georgian several Persian love stories and transformed the personal experiences of his reign into a series of original poems influenced by the contemporary Persian tradition.[9] From 1614 on, he waged a five-decade long struggle against the Safavid Iranian domination of Georgia in the course of which he was thrice deposed and lost several members of his family. Teimuraz died as the shah's prisoner at Astarabad.
Teimuraz I
(თეიმურაზ I)
1589
Son of David I and Ketevan of Mukhrani
22 October 1605 – 1648[o] Kingdom of Kakheti Anna Gurieli
c.1605
three children

Khorashan of Kartli
1612
two children
1661
Gorgan
aged 71-72
Kakheti annexed to Persia (1648-1664)
Regency of Shadiman Baratashvili (შადიმან ბარათაშვილი) (1606-1610) He is known for his martyr's death at the hands of the Persian shah Abbas I. The Georgian Orthodox Church regards him as saint and marks his memory on the day of his death, July 1.
Luarsab II the Holy Martyr
(ლუარსაბ II)
1592
Tbilisi
Son of George X and Tamar Lipartiani [ka]
7 September 1606 – 1 July 1615 Kingdom of Kartli Makrine Saakadze
no children
1 July 1615
Shiraz
aged 22-23
Overlordship of Abbas I of Persia (1615-1619) Installed by Abbas I as a puppet king. His power was confined to Lower Kartli and largely relied on Persian forces. Considered as a renegade, he was disgusted by most of the kingdom's population and, in spite of the Persian presence, he was unable to control even seemingly loyal nobility.
Bagrat VII
Bagrat Khan
(ლუარსაბ II)
1569
Son of David XI and Elene
1 July 1615 – 1619 Kingdom of Kartli Anna of Kakheti
two children
1619
aged 49-50
Overlordship of Abbas I of Persia (1619-1629) and Safi of Persia (1629-1630)
Regency of Giorgi Saakadze (გიორგი სააკაძე) (1619-1625)
Largely unpopular with his Christian subjects, Simon's "khanate" never stretched beyond Tbilisi and the Lower Kartli province, where the districts of Somkhiti and Sabaratiano were occupied by Persian forces.
Simon II
Semayun Khan
(სიმონ II)
c.1610
Son of Bagrat VII and Anna of Kakheti
1619 – 1630 Kingdom of Kartli Jahan Banu Begum
one child
1630
aged 19-20
Kartli briefly annexed to Kakheti
Overlordship of Safi of Persia (1633-1642) and Abbas II of Persia (1642-1658) Took control of Kartli and garrisoned all major fortresses with Persian forces, bringing them under his tight control. His willingness to cooperate with his suzerain won for Kartli a larger degree of autonomy. A period of relative peace and prosperity ensued, with the cities and towns being revived, many deserted areas repopulated and commerce flourished. Although Muslim, Rostom patronised Christian culture, albeit Islam and Persian habits predominating at his court. He ruthlessly crushed an opposition of local nobles.
Rostom
Rustam Khan
(როსტომი,
როსტომ ხანი)
1565
Isfahan
Son of David XI and Elena
1633 – 17 November 1658 Kingdom of Kartli Tinatina Jaqeli
no children

Ketevan Abashishvili
1635
no children

Mariam Dadiani
1638
no children
17 November 1658
Tbilisi
aged 92-93
Alexander III
(ალექსანდრე III)
1609
Kutaisi
Son of George III and Tamar
1639 – 1 March 1660 Kingdom of Imereti Tamar Gurieli [fr]
1618
(annulled 1620)
three children

Nestan-Darejan of Kakheti
14 May 1631
near Gori
no children
1 March 1660
Kutaisi
aged 50-51
Most of his reign was spent in the struggle against the powerful prince of Mingrelia, Levan II Dadiani, who refused to acknowledge the king of Imereti as his overlord, and aspired to displace him from his throne.
Overlordship of Abbas II of Persia (1658-1666) and Suleiman I of Persia (1666-1675) Originally great-great-grandson of Constantine II of Georgia, he came from the Mukhrani line, being adopted by his predecessor Rostom to succeed him. Followed the policy of his predecessor, managing to maintain a peaceful relationship with his Persian suzerains and to revive the economy of Kartli. Made efforts to bring other Georgian polities under his control.
Vakhtang V
Shah-Nawaz Khan
(ვახტანგ V)
1618
Son of Teimuraz I, Prince of Mukhrani and Anna Eristavi
Adopted son of Rostom
17 November 1658 – September 1675 Kingdom of Kartli Rodam Kaplanishvili-Orbeliani
(annulled 1658)
ten children

Mariam Dadiani
1658
no children
September 1675
near Ganja
aged 56-57

Intervened in Imereti's bitter power struggles.

Nestan-Darejan of Kakheti
(ნესტან-დარეჯანი)
1615
Gremi
Son of George III and Tamar
1 March 1660 – 1668 Kingdom of Imereti Zurab I, Duke of Aragvi
1623
no children

Alexander III
14 May 1631
near Gori
no children

Vakhtang Tchutchunashvili
1660
no children
1668
Kutaisi
aged 50-51
After Alexander III's death, Darejan, as his widow, became the core of power in Imereti. Signed royal documents before her stepson (king Bagrat V) himself, and eventually blinded him shortly after his accession. Her third marriage to legitimized him in power, opposing Bagrat V:
  • Vakhtang Tchutchunashvili
    (ვახტანგ ჭუჭუნაშვილი), puppet king of Nestan-Darejan, ruled briefly in 1660 and 1668.
  • Demetrius Gurieli
    (დემეტრე გურიელი), ruled briefly in 1663-1664; the Imeretians deposed and blinded him, and restored Bagrat V.

The period was marked by extreme instability and feudal anarchy in the kingdom: some other nobles tried to wrest for power.

Bagrat V
(ბაგრატ V)
1620
Son of Alexander III and Tamar Gurieli
1 March 1660 – 1661[p]

1664 – 1678[p]

1679 – 1681
Ketevan of Kakheti
(annulled 1661)
no children

Tatia of Mukhrani
(annulled 1663)
no children

Tamar of Mukhrani
1663
four children
1681
aged 60/61
Ketevan
(ქეთევანი)
1648
Daughter of Prince David of Kakheti and Elene Diasamidze
1664 – 1675 Kingdom of Kakheti Archil
1668
four children
16 April 1719
Moscow
aged 70-71
With Kakheti's independence restored, Archil was designated its king afterr marrying the later king's granddaughter, Ketevan. Ketevan's brother, Heraclius, came in 1675 to claim and inherit the throne. Dispossessed, Archil tried to expand his influence in Imereti through a series of unsuccessful or short-lived coups d'état on that kingdom. Eventually, Archil retired to Russia where he spearheaded the cultural life of a local Georgian community. He was also a lyric poet.
Archil
(არჩილი)
1647
First son of Vakhtang V of Kartli and Rodam Kaplanishvili-Orbeliani
1664 – 1675 Kingdom of Kakheti Unknown
(daughter of Prince Nodar Tsitsishvili)
no children

Ketevan
1668
four children
16 April 1713
Moscow
aged 65-66
1661 – 1663

1678 – 1679

1690 – 1691

1695 – 1696

1698 – 1699
Kingdom of Imereti
Overlordship of Suleiman I of Persia (1675-1694) and Soltan Hoseyn of Persia (1694-1709) He is best known for his struggle against the Safavids which dominated his weakened kingdom and later as a Safavid commander-in-chief in what is now Afghanistan. Being an Eastern Orthodox Christian, he converted to Shia Islam prior to his appointment as governor of Kandahar.
George XI
Gurgin Khan
(გიორგი XI)
1651
Second son of Vakhtang V of Kartli and Rodam Kaplanishvili-Orbeliani
1675 – 1688

1703 – 21 April 1709
Kingdom of Kartli Tamar Davitishvili
(d.4 December 1683)
1676
two children

Khoreshan Mikeladze
(d.24 February 1695)
1687
Kojori
one child
21 April 1709
Kandahar
aged 57-58
Overlordship of Suleiman I of Persia (1675-1694) and Soltan Hoseyn of Persia (1694-1709) Grandson of Teimuraz I of Kakheti. Raised in Russia, where he was known as Nikolai Davidovich. In 1662, he returned to take the vacant throne of Kakheti, but was defeated by his brother-in-law Archil with Iranian support. He managed to take Kakheti when Archil, conflicted with the Persian Empire, left the kingdom. With the annexation of his kingdom to Persia, Heraclius filled the Kartli throne, left vacant by George XI's deposition.
Heraclius I
Eregli Khan
Nazar Ali Khan
(ერეკლე I,
ارگلی خان,
ნაზარალი-ხანი,
نظر علی خان‎)
1642
Tbilisi
Son of Prince David of Kakheti and Elene Diasamidze
1675 – 1676

1703 – 1709
Kingdom of Kakheti Anna Cholokashvili
1677
Ispahan
five children
1709
Isfahan
aged 66-67
1688 – 1703 Kingdom of Kartli
Between 1676 and 1703, Kakheti was annexed to Persia
Tamar of Mukhrani
(თამარი)
c.1640
Daughter of Constantine I, Prince of Mukhrani and Darejan Abashidze
1681 – 1683 Kingdom of Imereti Levan III Dadiani
1661
three children

Bagrat V
1663
four children

George IV Gurieli
1681
no children
1681
aged 40-41
Like her mother-in-law, Tamar also became the core of sovereignty in Imereti, as it is shown by her third husband succeeding her second one. This third husband, George Gurieli, was Prince of Guria in 1658–1668. He was energetically involved in civil wars in western Georgian polities, which he sought to bring under his sway. He was killed in battle while trying to recover the lost throne of Imereti.
George IV Gurieli[q]
(გიორგი III გურიელი)
?
Son of Kaikhosro I Gurieli and Khvaramze Goshadze
Tamar Chijavadze
1667
(annulled 1677)
five children

Darejan of Imereti
c.1677
no children

Tamar of Mukhrani
1681
no children
1684
Alexander IV
(ალექსანდრე IV)
c.1660?
Kutaisi
Illegitimate son of Bagrat V
1683 – 1691

1691 – 1695
Kingdom of Imereti Tamar Abashidze
1691
four children
1695
aged 34-35?
George XI of Kartli and the Imeretian nobles secured the Ottoman recognition for Alexander, who was enthroned in Imereti after deposing the Gurieli prince in 1683. Alexander transferred his loyalty to the Safavid shah Suleiman I of Persia in 1689, but was expelled by the Turks into Kartli in August 1690. In 1691, through the mediation of Erekle I of Kartli and the Persian government, Alexander was restored in Imereti after a year of anarchy and misrule.
Overlordship of Giorgi-Malakia Abashidze (1696-1698) As usual for widows in Imereti, she was the link between two kings, marrying them in succession. George V ruled virtually, under his powerful benefactor.
Tamar Abashidze
(თამარი)
1681
FIrst daughter of Giorgi-Malakia Abashidze
1696 – 1698 Kingdom of Imereti Alexander IV
1691
four children

George V Gochia
1696
no children
1716
aged 34-35
George V Gochia
(გიორგი V გოჩია)
c.1680?
A relative of the Bagrationi dynasty
Tamar Abashidze
1696
no children
1698
aged 27-28?
Overlordship of Giorgi-Malakia Abashidze (1699-1701) Sister of Tamar Abashidze, she also married the next king of Imereti, an illegitimate son of her sister's husband, Simon, who was brought up in the court of Erekle I of Kartli. The couple was expelled by Giorgi-Malakia Abashidze and his daughter Tamar.
Anika Abashidze c.1685
Second daughter of Giorgi-Malakia Abashidze
1699 – 1701 Kingdom of Imereti 1698
no children
1731
aged 34-35
Simon
(სიმონი)
?
Illegitimate son of Alexander IV
1701
Overlordship of Giorgi-Malakia Abashidze (1701-1702) Third daughter of the powerful regent Giorgi Abashidze, married Mamia Gurieli, who succeeded Elena's brother-in-law. After his first reign as king for a year, Mamia abdicated, being unable to tolerate the influence of his father-in-law Giorgi-Malakia Abashidze. Subsequent periods of his royal career was the result of a feud with George VII of Imereti. Mamia died while still sitting on the throne of Imereti, which then reverted to his rival.
Elena Abashidze c.1685
Third daughter of Giorgi-Malakia Abashidze
1701 – 1702 Kingdom of Imereti Mamia Gurieli
1698
(annulled 1711)
seven children
1731
aged 34-35
Mamia Gurieli the Great[r]
მამია III გურიელი დიდი)
?
Son of George IV and Tamar Chijavadze
1701 – 1702

1711 – 1712

1713 – 5 January 1714
Elena Abashidze
1698
(annulled 1711)
seven children

Tamar of Racha [fr]
1711
no children
5 January 1714
George VI-Malakia Abashidze
(გიორგი-მალაქია აბაშიძე)
?
Son of Paata Abashidze
1702-1707 Kingdom of Imereti Unknown
seven children
15 October 1722
Tbilisi
After controlling many kings behind the curtain, Giorgi-Malakia made his way to the throne, but ended up deposed by a revolt of the nobles.
George VII
(გიორგი VII)
1670
Illegitimate son of Alexander IV
1707 – 1711

1712 – 1713

5 January 1714 – 1716

1719 – 22 February 1720
Kingdom of Imereti Rodam of Kartli
1703
(annulled 1712)
five children

Tamar Abashidze
c.1712
(annulled 1713)
no children

Tamar of Racha [fr]
March 1714
no children

Tamar Gurieli [fr]
1716
three children
22 February 1720
Kutaisi
aged 49-50
With the approval of the Ottoman government, a rightful king of Imereti by the loyal party of nobles in 1702, though it was not until 1707 that he was able to wrest the crown from the usurper Giorgi-Malakia Abashidze (George VI). Entered in a feud with Mamia Gurieli for the throne.
Overlordship of Soltan Hoseyn of Persia (1709-1711) Paternal grandson of Vakhtang V. He reigned in absentia since he served during the whole of this period as a Persian commander-in-chief in what is now Afghanistan.
Kaikhosro
(ქაიხოსრო)
1 January 1674
Tbilisi
Son of Prince Levan and Tuta Gurieli
21 April 1709 – 27 September 1711 Kingdom of Kartli Ketevan
(d.Moscow, 3 May 1730)
four children
27 September 1711
Kandahar
aged 37
Overlordship of Soltan Hoseyn of Persia (1709-1711) Although a Muslim and a loyal vassal of the Safavid dynasty of Iran, he failed to ensure his kingdom's security and most of his reign was marked by Lekianoba - incessant inroads by the Dagestani mountainous clansmen.
David II
Imām Qulī Khān
(დავით II,
امام قلی خان,
იმამყული-ხანი‎)
1678
Isfahan
Son of Heraclius I and Anna Cholokashvili
1709 – 2 November 1722 Kingdom of Kakheti Unknown
(daughter of the shamkhal of Tarki)
no children

Yatri Jahan-Begum
three children
2 November 1722
Magharo [ka; ka]
aged 44-45
Interregnum: 1711-1714
Overlordship of Soltan Hoseyn of Persia
Regency of Prince Vakhtang
Overlordship of Soltan Hoseyn of Persia (1714-1722), Mahmud Hotak of Afghanistan (1722-1725) and Ashraf Hotak of Afghanistan (1725-1727) Paternal grandsons of Vakhtang V. Jesse proved to be incompetent and addicted to alcohol. Unable to maintain order in his possessions, he was replaced, in June 1716, with his brother, Vakhtang, who had finally agreed to renounce Christianity. One of the most important and extraordinary statesman of early 18th-century Georgia, Vakhtang was known as a notable legislator, scholar, critic, translator and poet. His reign was eventually terminated by the Ottoman invasion following the disintegration of Safavid Persia, which forced Vakhtang into exile in the Russian Empire. After Ottoman invasion in Georgia that led to Vakhtang's escape, Jesse could return to the throne. After his death, the kingdom was abolished and united with Kakheti.
Jesse
Ali-Quli Khan
Mustafa Pasha
(იესე)
1680
Tbilisi
Second son of Prince Levan and Tuta Gurieli
1714 – 1716

July 1724 – 1727
Kingdom of Kartli Mariam Qaplanishvili-Orbeliani
1712

Elene-Begum of Kakheti
1715
eleven children
1727
Tbilisi
aged 57-58
Vakhtang VI the Scholar
Ḥosaynqolī Khan
(ვახტანგ VI,
حسین‌قلی خان)
15 September 1674
Tbilisi
First son of Prince Levan and Tuta Gurieli
1716 – July 1724 Kingdom of Kartli Rusudan of Circassia
1696
five children
26 March 1737
Astrakhan
aged 61
In 1727, the kingdom of Kartli was annexed to the Ottoman Empire, then to Persia (1735), and finally merged in Kakheti in 1744
George VIII Gurieli[s]
(გიორგი IV გურიელი)
?
Son of Mamia and Khvaramze Goshadze
27 February – June 1720 Kingdom of Imereti Elena-Mariam Abashidze
(annulled 1717)
two children

Khvaramze Dadiani
no children
1726 Also Prince of Guria 1714–1726. Seized the crown of Imereti, but was forced to abandon the enterprise later that year.
Alexander V
(ალექსანდრე V)
1703
Kutaisi
Son of George VII and Rodam of Kartli
June 1720 – 1741

1742 – March 1752
Kingdom of Imereti Mariam Dadiani
(d.1731)
1721
three children

Tamar Abashidze
(d.1772)
1732
five children
March 1752
Kutaisi
aged 49-50
Brought up at the court of his relative Vakhtang VI of Kartli and enjoyed his support in the power struggle in Imereti. After visiting Istanbul, in August 1719 he returned with a detachment of Turkish auxiliaries, deposed George VIII Gurieli in June 1720, and was crowned king of Imereti. Had, however, opposition from his brother:
Overlordship of Mahmud Hotak of Afghanistan (1722-1725), Ashraf Hotak of Afghanistan (1725-1729) and Tahmasp II of Persia (1729-1732) He frequently feuded with his western neighbor and kinsman, Vakhtang VI of Kartli, who was declared by the Persian government deposed in 1723.
Constantine II
Mahmād Qulī Khān
(კონსტანტინე II
მაჰმად ყული-ხანი)
?
Isfahan
Illegitimate son of Heraclius I
2 November 1722 – 28 December 1732 Kingdom of Kakheti Perejan-Begum
one child
28 December 1732
Telavi
aged
George IX
(გიორგი IX)
1718
Kutaisi
Second son of George VII and Tamar Gurieli
1741 Kingdom of Imereti Mzekhatun Lipartiani
five children
1778
Kutaisi
aged 59-60
After his brother Alexander V was ousted in the Ottoman-sponsored coup of 1741, he was enthroned in Imereti, but was deposed in the same year.
Overlordship of Nader Shah of Persia (1744-1746) Married since 1712. In 1735, the couple fomented unrest against the Persian rule, but Teimuraz was captured in 1736. Part of Georgian nobles staged a powerful rebellion against the Persian regime, and the shah released Teimuraz to suppress the opposition. In 1744, Teimuraz was confirmed by the shah as king of Kartli, his wife recognized as "Queen of Queens", and their son Erekle was given a Kakhetian crown, laying the ground for the eventual reunification of the Georgian kingdoms. They were recognised as Christian kings for the first time since 1632, and crowned as so. With their power growing increasingly stronger, Teimuraz soon repudiated their allegiance to the Persian suzerain.
Tamar II[10]
(თამარი II)
1696
Daughter of Vakhtang VI and Rusudan of Circassia
1744 – 12 April 1746 Kingdom of Kartli Teimuraz II
2 February 1712
four children
12 April 1746
Kutaisi
aged 59/60
Teimuraz II
(თეიმურაზ II)
7 November 1700
Tbilisi
Son of Constantine II and Perejan-Begum
28 December 1732 – 1744 Kingdom of Kakheti Tamar Eristavi
(annulled 1711)
no children

Tamar II
2 February 1712
four children

Ana-Khanum Baratashvili
19 August 1746
two children
8 January 1762
Saint Petersburg
aged 61
1744 – 8 January 1762
(with Tamar II
until 1746)
Kingdom of Kartli
The process of unification of Kartli and Kakheti was initiated in 1744, when Teimuraz II of Kakheti was confirmed as King of Kartli by the Persians, and left Kakheti to his son Heraclius II. It was fulfilled in 1762, when Teimuraz II died, and Heraclius joined the two crowns. The Russian southward expansion would however cut short this evolution; Kartli-Kakheti became a Russian protectorate in 1783 by the Treaty of Georgievsk, and was annexed in 1801 following the death of George XII. Imereti kept its independence a few years longer, until 1810.
Heraclius II
(ერეკლე II)
7 November 1720
Telavi
Son of Teimuraz II and Tamar of Kartli
1744 – 11 January 1798 Kingdom of Kakheti
(until 8 January 1762)Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti
(since 8 January 1762)
Ketevan Pkheidze
1740
two children

Anna Abashidze
1745
three children

Darejan Dadiani
1750
twenty-three children
11 January 1798
Telavi
aged 77
Merged definitely Kartli with Kakheti after his father's death. His reign is regarded as the swan song of the Georgian monarchy. Aided by his personal abilities and the unrest in the Persian Empire, Heraclius established himself as a de facto autonomous ruler, unified eastern Georgia politically for the first time in three centuries, and attempted to modernize the government, economics, and military. Overwhelmed by the internal and external menaces to Georgia's precarious independence, he placed his kingdom under the formal Russian protection in 1783, but the move didn't prevent the invasion of Georgia from being devastated by the Persian invasion in 1795.
Solomon I the Great
(სოლომონ I დიდი)
1735
Kutaisi
Son of Alexander V and Tamar Abashidze
March 1752 – 23 April 1784 Kingdom of Imereti Tinatin Shervashidze
one child

Mariam Dadiani
(d.1778)
three children

Gulkan Tsulukidze
(1730–1800)
no children
23 April 1784
Kutaisi
aged 48-49
Had opposition from his cousin:
David II
(დავით II)
1756
Kutaisi
Son of George IX and Mzekhatun Lipartiani
4 May 1784 – 1791 Kingdom of Imereti Ana Orbeliani
c.1780
four children
11 January 1795
Akhaltsikhe
aged 38-39
After the death of his cousin, King Solomon I, he became a regent but prevented the rival princes David (the future king Solomon II) and George from being crowned. With the support of Katsia II Dadiani, prince of Mingrelia, he seized the throne and proclaimed himself king on May 4, 1784. Had opposition, in 1789, from a cousin, Prince Solomon, who would eventually succeeded him after ousting him in 1791.
Solomon II
(სოლომონ II)
1772
Kutaisi
Son of Prince Archil and Princess Elene of Georgia
1791 – 1810 Kingdom of Imereti Anna Orbeliani
1787
no children

Mariam Dadiani
1791
no children
7 February 1815
Trabzon
aged 42-43
Grandson of Alexander V. Initially prevented of the succession by his regent, he managed to overthrow him twice. Ruled under threat of Russian annexation, made even more present after the Kakheti-Kartli conquest in 1800. The menace became an official act with his deposition by the Imperial Russian government in 1810.
George XII
(გიორგი XII)
10 November 1746
Telavi
Son of Heraclius II and Anna Abashidze
11 January 1798 – 28 December 1800 Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti Ketevan Andronikashvili
1766
twelve children

Mariam Tsitsishvili
13 July 1783
eleven children
28 December 1800
Tbilisi
aged 54
His brief reign in the closing years of the 18th century was marked by significant political instability, which implied the near certainty of a civil strife and a Persian invasion. Weakened by poor health and overwhelmed by problems in his realm, George renewed a request of protection from Tsar Paul I of Russia. After his death, Imperial Russia took advantage of the moment and moved to annex the Georgian kingdoms, while sending the remnants of the Georgian royal family into forced exile in Russia.

Many members of the Bagrationi dynasty were forced to flee the country and live in exile after the Red Army took control of the short-lived Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1921 and installed the Georgian Communist Party. Since Georgia regained independence in 1990 the dynasty have raised their profile, and in 2008 the two rival branches were united by marriage of the Mukhranski pretender David Bagration of Mukhrani and Ana Bagration-Gruzinsky, the eldest daughter of the Gruzinski pretender Nugzar Bagration-Gruzinsky. The marriage ended in divorce in 2013, but produced a son named Giorgi. On 1 March 2025 Prince Nugzar died, the Gruzinski line went extinct in the male line and Ana became the rival pretender to her ex-husband with Giorgi as their shared heir apparent (his only child and her only son).

Timeline of Georgian monarchs

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Lower Tao became almost permanent property of the main Iberian line.
  2. ^ Alternatively Kingdom of Kartli or Kingdom of the Kartvels.
  3. ^ With brief re-divisions in Western and Eastern parts between 1387–1392 and 1396–1412. In 1412 Western Georgia accepted suzerainty from the Eastern part, and was demoted to Duchy of Imereti.
  4. ^ For the titles used, see Style of the Georgian sovereign.
  5. ^ Numbered IV, as he was the fourth ruler of Iberia of that name, after Adarnase III of Iberia, of the Nersianid dynasty
  6. ^ From here continues the line of presiding princes of Iberia, now as kings of Iberia.
  7. ^ Usually counted as I, but he was the second Ashot ruling in Tao, after Ashot the Great.
  8. ^ Sometimes rendeed as Adarnase V, if counting with the Iberian kingdom line.
  9. ^ When numbering this king, the rule used often includes David III of Tao, which makes the Builder the fourth king David.
  10. ^ a b After David VI's disappearance in 1246, the Georgians elected David VII, illegitimate son of George IV as King; However, in 1248, when David VII went to the Mongols to obtain his recognition, he found there the missing king; the Mongol khan ordered for both of them to rule together, with David VI as a junior co-ruler.
  11. ^ Styled II after Vakhtang I of Iberia.
  12. ^ a b Despite traditionally associated as children of David VI's first wife (Tamar Amanelisdze), Constantine and Michael's names, of Byzantine origin, seem to hint for David VI's second wife, Theodora Doukaina Palaeologina, as their mother. Moreover, a son of Michael is referred as minor in 1329, which would be highly unlikely if Michael himself was born before 1254, as it would be if he were a son of Tamar.
  13. ^ Numbered lower than his predecessor, as he was already politically active as opponent of his brother David VIII in 1299-1302.
  14. ^ Son of Bagrat III. Professor Cyril Toumanoff considered Bagrat to have been a son of another Teimuraz, son of Prince Vakhtang of Imereti.
  15. ^ Safavid Iran invaded Kakheti between 1616-1625 and 1633-1634.
  16. ^ a b Deposed by the puppet king of his stepmother in 1660 and 1668.
  17. ^ George III as prince of Guria.
  18. ^ Mamia III as prince of Guria.
  19. ^ George IV as prince of Guria.

References

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  1. ^ "Head of The Royal House of Georgia". royalhouseofgeorgia.ge. The Royal House of Georgia. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  2. ^ "The Legal Heir to the Royal Throne of the Georgian Bagrationi Dynasty". theroyalhouseofgeorgia.org. The Royal House of Georgia. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  3. ^ "გარდაიცვალა რეჟისორი და მსახიობი ნუგზარ ბაგრატიონ-გრუზინსკი". Georgian Public Broadcaster (in Georgian). Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  4. ^ "ნუგზარ ბაგრატიონ-გრუზინსკი (1950-2025)". National Parliamentary Library of Georgia; Biographical dictionary. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  5. ^ Toumanoff, Cyril (1969). "Chronology of the Early Kings of Iberia". Traditio. 25. Fordham University: 1–33. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  6. ^ "მარაბდა" [Marabda]. nplg.gov.ge (in Georgian). National Parliamentary Library of Georgia. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  7. ^ Sanikidze, George (2000). "KAKHETI". Encyclopædia Iranica (online ed.). Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  8. ^ Mikaberidze, Alexander (2015). Historical Dictionary of Georgia (2nd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. p. 237. ISBN 978-1442241466.
  9. ^ Rayfield, Donald (2013). The Literature of Georgia: A History. Routledge. pp. 102–106. ISBN 9781136825293. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  10. ^ Toumanoff, Cyril (1976). Manuel de généalogie et de chronologie pour l'histoire de la Caucasie chrétienne (Arménie - Géorgie - Albanie) (in French). pp. 134, 547.

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