Bagrat III King of united Georgia, Country: Georgia

Biography of Bagrat III

Bagrat III, the King of Unified Georgia, was born into the Bagrationi dynasty as the son of Gurgin II. From the early days of his reign, disagreements arose between the king and the noble aznaurs. The aznaurs did not want the king's permanent residence to be in Kartli, as they feared it would result in the loss of their own royal lands.

One of the prominent aznaurs, Rati Bagvashi, annexed all the Kartli lands in the right-bank strip of the Kura Valley to his estate in Trialeti. Other feudal lords, such as Dzameli, Korinteli, Tbeli, Phveneli, also seized royal lands. When Bagrat III returned from Abkhazia to Eastern Georgia, his path was blocked by a force of feudal lords led by Kvatar Tbeli. However, Bagrat III defeated the rebellious aznaurs, entered Kartli, and established his rule in Uplistsikhe. The noble aznaurs emigrated to other countries, while Rati Bagvashi, the ruler of Trialeti, attempted armed resistance against the king but was ultimately subdued in 980.

Rati Bagvashi surrendered his estate in Trialeti, including the Kldikari fortress, to the king and settled in his ancestral estate in Argveti. Bagrat III appointed Rati Bagvashi's son, Liparita, as the eristavi of Kldikari, thus gaining control over that region as well. After restoring order in Kartli, Bagrat III returned to Western Georgia. He dealt harshly with the defiant aznaurs, suppressing their opposition to royal authority.

In 1008, Bagrat III's father, King Gurgin, passed away. The territories he ruled—Shavsheti-Klardjeti, Samtskhe, and Javakheti—were annexed to Bagrat III's domains. Only Kakheti and Ereti remained independent samtaros. In 1010, Bagrat invaded Kakheti, captured its ruler, and incorporated Kakheti-Ereti into his kingdom.

Bagrat III then brought order to Southern Georgia, where his relatives still attempted to maintain their independence. In 1011-1012, Bagrat III captured some of them and imprisoned them in the fortress, while others sought refuge in Byzantium, trying to regain their lost territories with the support of the Byzantine emperor. The unification of Georgia clashed with the plans of the Byzantine emperors, who sought to regain their former influence in the Transcaucasus and the Middle East.

Over the course of the 11th century, Byzantine emperors pursued a policy aimed at maintaining the Georgian kingdom's obedience through the seizure of Georgian lands, bribing powerful aznaurs, and supporting various claimants to the throne. They also bestowed honors and favors upon the Georgian kings.

After the death of David II Kurapalate in 1001, a significant portion of his domains was captured by Byzantium. The inheritance dispute between Georgia and Byzantium lasted for a long time. The formation of strong states in Georgia and Armenia signaled the eventual liberation of the Transcaucasus from Arab rule. One of the most implacable enemies of Armenia and Georgia was the Emir of Gandja, Fadlun. When Bagrat III incorporated Ereti and Kakheti into the Georgian kingdom, the Emir of Gandja, perceiving it as a threat to his power, launched destructive raids on the border areas of these regions.

Bagrat III proposed a joint campaign against Fadlun to the Armenian king Gagik I. In 1011-1012, the combined Georgian-Armenian forces invaded the Gandja Emirate and besieged the city of Shamkor. Realizing that resistance was futile, Fadlun sought peace on vassal conditions. The Georgian king accepted these terms, imposing an annual tribute on Fadlun and obliging him to join in future campaigns if needed. In May 1014, King Bagrat III passed away without fully completing the political unification of the country. Tbilisi, along with its surrounding lands, remained under the control of the Arab emir. The powerful aznaurs also resisted submission to royal authority, temporarily laying down their weapons and dreaming of reclaiming their former rights and privileges. Reactionary forces within the country and in exile awaited the opportunity to ignite civil wars.