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Thread: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

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    Default Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    As We already know Kartli (Caucasian Iberia, or Eastern Iberia) was confirmed as a separate faction in Attila TW. We do not know whether it will be playable or not, but that
    does not matter at all. In this tread I will try to post as necessary information about the Kingdom of Kartli (Iberia) and hope the viewers will get more acquaintance about that
    faction which is part of ATTILA TW.

    HISTORY AND THE ORIGIN OF KINGDOM OF KARTLI

    Kartli is the central part of Georgia. The term "Georgia" derives from the Greek name Γεωργιος (Georgios) which was derived from the Greek word γεωργος (georgos) meaning "farmer, earthworker". Before the term Georgia, the term Kartli was used to describe the entire Eastern part of Georgia. The term "KARTLI" was the local rendering of the Georgian Kingdom and the Graeco-Romans called IBERIA, this we know from the classical sources.

    Caucasian Iberians a Greco-Roman designation for the population of Caucasian Iberia, presumably a Kartvelian (Georgian) speaking people in east and southeast of the Transcaucasus region in prehistoric and early historic times.

    Ancient Iberians are identified as modern eastern Georgians who have originated from the early Georgian state of Caucasian Iberia.[2][3] In southwest, Iberians extended into Anatolia, inhabiting interior lands beside Colchians, who lived along the littoral area.

    The area was inhabited in earliest times by several relative tribes of Tibareni, Mushki, Saspers, Gugars, Diaokhi, etc., collectively called Iberians (the Eastern Iberians) by ancient Greek (Herodotus, Strabo, etc.) and Roman authors. Iberians called their country Kartli after a mythic chief, Kartlos. One of the Iberian tribes of Mtskheta (the future capital of the Iberian kingdom) dominated the early Kingdom. The Mtskheta tribe was later ruled by a prince locally known as mamasakhlisi (“the father of the household” in Georgian).

    The medieval Georgian source Moktsevai Kartlisai (“Conversion of Kartli”) also speaks about Azo and his people, who came from Arian-Kartli – the initial home of the proto-Iberians, which had been under Achaemenid rule until the fall of the Persian Empire – to settle on the site where Mtskheta was to be founded. Another Georgian chronicle Kartlis Tskhovreba (“History of Kartli”) claims Azo to be an officer of Alexander’s, who massacred a local ruling family and conquered the area, until being defeated at the end of the 4th century BC by Prince Pharnavaz, who was at that time a local chief.
    The story of Alexander’s invasion of Kartli, although entirely fictional, nevertheless reflects the establishment of Georgian monarchy in the Hellenistic period and the desire of later Georgian literati to connect this event to the celebrated conqueror.

    Pharnavaz I and his descendants

    Pharnavaz, victorious in a power struggle, became the first king of Iberia (ca. 302-ca. 237 BC). Driving back an invasion, he subjugated the neighboring areas, including a significant part of the western Georgian state of Colchis (locally known as Egrisi), and seems to have secured recognition of the newly founded state by the Seleucids of Syria. Then Pharnavaz focused on social projects, including the citadel of the capitol, the Armaztsikhe, and the idol of the god Armazi. He also reformed the Georgian written language, and created a new system of administration, subdividing the country into several counties called saeristavos. His successors managed to gain control over the mountainous passes of the Caucasus with the Daryal (also known as the Iberian Gates) being the most important of them.

    Roman Georgia

    Rome's conquests reached the Caucasus area at the end of the 2nd century BC, when the Roman Republic started to expand in Anatolia and the Black Sea.
    In the area of what is now western Georgia there was the Kingdom of Colchis that in those years has fallen under control of the Kingdom of Pontus (an enemy of Rome), while further east there was the "Kingdom of Iberia". As a result of the brilliant Roman campaigns of Pompey and Lucullus in 65 BC, the Kingdom of Pontus was completely destroyed by the Romans and all its territory, including Colchis, was incorporated into the Roman Empire as its province. Iberia, on the other hand was invaded and became a vassal state of the empire.
    From this point on Colchis became the Roman province of Lazicum, with Emperor Nero later incorporating it into the Province of Pontus in 63 AD, and successively in Cappadocia by Domitian in 81 AD. At the same time, Iberia continued to be a vassal state because it enjoyed significant independence and with the lowlands frequently raided by fierce mountain tribes, paying a nominal homage to Rome in exchange of protection was viewed as a worthwhile investment.

    This close association with Armenia and Pontus brought upon the country an invasion (65 BC) by the Roman general Pompey, who was then at war with Mithradates VI of Pontus, and Armenia; but Rome did not establish her power permanently over Iberia. Nineteen years later, the Romans again marched (36 BC) on Iberia forcing King Pharnavaz II to join their campaign against Albania.

    While another Georgian kingdom of Colchis was administered as a Roman province, Iberia freely accepted the Roman Imperial protection. A stone inscription discovered at Mtskheta speaks of the first-century ruler Mihdrat I (AD 75-120) as "the friend of the Caesars" and the king "of the Roman-loving Iberians." Emperor Vespasian fortified the ancient Mtskheta site of Arzami for the Iberian kings in 75 AD.
    The next two centuries saw a continuation of Roman influence over the area, but by the reign of King Pharsman II (120 – 150) Iberia had regained some of its former power. Relations between the Roman Emperor Hadrian and Pharsman II were strained, though Hadrian is said to have sought to appease Pharsman. However, it was only under Hadrian's successor Antoninus Pius that relations improved to the extent that Pharsman is said to have even visited Rome, where Dio Cassius reports that a statue was erected in his honor and that rights to sacrifice were given. The period brought a major change to the political status of Iberia with Rome recognizing them as an ally, rather than their former status as a subject state, a political situation which remained the same, even during the Empire's hostilities with the Parthians.

    (Iberia/Kartli as the major power in the EAST after the Roman Empire and Parthia)


    Decisive for the future history of Iberia was the foundation of the Sasanian (or Sassanid) Empire in 226. By replacing the weak Parthian realm with a strong, centralized state, it changed the political orientation of Iberia away from Rome. Iberia became a tributary of the Sasanian state during the reign of Shapur I (241-272). Relations between the two countries seem to have been friendly at first, as Iberia cooperated in Persian campaigns against Rome, and the Iberian king Amazasp III (230-265) was listed as a high dignitary of the Sasanian realm, not a vassal who had been subdued by force of arms[citation needed]. But the aggressive tendencies of the Sasanians were evident in their propagation of Zoroastrianism, which was probably established in Iberia between the 260s and 290s.

    However, in the Peace of Nisibis (298) while the Roman empire obtained control of Caucasian Iberia again as a vassal state and acknowledged the reign over all the Caucasian area, it recognized Mirian III, as king of Iberia.

    CONVERSION OF KARTLI

    Mirian III (Georgian: მირიან III) was a king of Iberia (or Kartli, modern Georgia), contemporaneous to the Roman emperor Constantine I (r. 306–337).
    According to the early medieval Georgian annals and hagiography, Mirian was the first Christian king of Iberia, converted through the ministry of Nino, a Cappadocian female missionary. He is credited with establishment of Christianity as his kingdom's state religion and is regarded by the Georgian Orthodox Church as saint.
    Traditional chronology after Prince Vakhushti assigns to Mirian's reign — taken to have lasted for 77 years — the dates 268–345, which Professor Cyril Toumanoff corrects to 284–361. He is also known to the contemporary Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus and the medieval Armenian chronicles.
    The king's name, Mirian, is a Georgian adaptation of the Iranian "Mihran". The medieval Georgian records give other versions of his name, both in its original Iranian as well as closely related Georgian forms (Mirean, Mirvan). Writing in Latin, the Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus (XXI.6.8) renders the name of his contemporary Iberian king as Meribanes. The Armenian chronicles, possibly compiled in the 8th century and traditionally ascribed to Moses of Chorene, gives Mihran and speaks about his conversion to Christianity. The regnal numbers as in Mirian III are modern and were not used by the medieval Georgian authors. Since two kings preceded first Christian ruler of Iberia with that name, Mirian has been assigned the ordinal “III” in Georgian historiography.
    According to the medieval Georgian chronicle Life of the Kings, Mirian was a Persian prince married to an Iberian princess Abeshura, daughter of the last Georgian Arsacid king Aspagur. Upon the death of Aspagur, Mirian was installed on the throne of Iberia by his father whom the medieval Georgian chronicles refer to as "K'asre" (Khosrau), Great King of Iran. This being during the rule of the Sassanid dynasty over Iran, the medieval author of the chronicles assumed (or invented) Mirian's descent from the Sassanids. However, the name Khosrau was not used by the Sassanids till some time later; hence, either the Georgian annals are mistaken in the name of Mirian’s father, or "Khosrau" was taken as a general term meaning "king". Toumanoff inferred that Mirian might have been a scion of the Mihranid family, one of the "seven Parthian clans". Professor Giorgi Melikishvili argues that Toumanoff's assumption is dubious and considers Mirian a representative of the local Iberian élite clan to whom the medieval tradition ascribed an exotic foreign royal ancestry to infuse him with more prestige. Another medieval Georgian account, Conversion of Kartli, is at odds with the tradition of Life of the Kings and identifies Mirian as the son of Lev, who is unattested elsewhere.
    The Life of the Kings recount Mirian's reign in much details. While its information about Mirian’s participation — as an Iranian client king — in the Sasanid war against the Roman Empire, and territorial ambitions in Armenia can be true, the claims of Mirian’s being a pretender to the throne of Iran, his being in control of Colchis and Albania, and expansion of his activity as far as Syria is obviously fictional. In the 298 Peace of Nisibis with Iran, Rome was acknowledged their suzerainty over Armenia and Iberia, but Mirian III retained the crown. He quickly adapted to this change in political situation, and established close ties with Rome.This association was cemented by Mirian's conversion to Christianity[6] — according to tradition — through the ministry of Nino, a Cappadocian nun. Nevertheless, as Ammianus Marcellinus recounts, Constantine's successor, Constantius, had to sent in 360 embassies with costly presents to Arsaces of Armenia and Meribanes of Iberia to secure their allegiance during the confrontation with Iran.
    Mirian's conversion to Christianity might have occurred in 334, followed by the declaration of Christianity as Iberia's state religion in 337. He was, thus, among the first monarchs of the ancient world to have adopted this new religion. A legend has it that when Mirian, staunchly pagan, was hunting in the woods near his capital Mtskheta, the darkness fell upon the land and the king was totally blinded. The light did not resume until Mirian prayed to "Nino's God" for aid. Upon his arrival he requested the audience with Nino and converted to Christianity soon after. According to tradition, Mirian's second wife, Nana, preceded her husband in conversion.
    His conversion fostered the growth of the central royal government, which confiscated the pagan temple properties and gave them to the nobles and the church; the medieval Georgian sources give evidence of how actively the monarchy and the nobility propagated Christianity and of the resistance they encountered from the mountain folk.[9] The Roman historian Rufinus as well as the Georgian annals report that, after their conversion, the Iberians requested clergy from the emperor Constantine, who responded vigorously and sent priests and holy relics to Iberia. The Georgian tradition than relates a story of the construction of a cathedral in Mtskheta at Mirian's behest and the king's pilgrimage to Jerusalem shortly before his death.[8] According to tradition, Mirian and his wife Nana were interred at the Samtavro convent in Mtskheta, where their tombs are still shown.
    The Georgian sources speak of Mirian’s two marriages. His first wife was Abeshura, daughter of the last Arsacid Iberian king who also traced his ancestry to the ancient Pharnabazid dynasty of Iberia. She died without issue when Mirian was 15 years old, in 292 according to Toumanoff. With her death, "the kingship and queenship of the Pharnabazid kings came to an end in Iberia", — the chronicler continues. Mirian subsequently remarried his second queen, Nana "from Pontus, daughter of Oligotos", who bore him two sons — Rev and Varaz-Bakur — and a daughter who married Peroz, the first Mihranid dynast of Gogarene.

    KARTLI IN 395

    However, after the emperor Julian was slain during his failed campaign in Persia in 363, Rome ceded control of Iberia to Persia, and King Varaz-Bakur I (Aspakour) (368-380s) became a Persian vassal, an outcome confirmed by the Peace of Acilisene in 387. However, a later ruler of Kartli, Pharsman IV (c. 395-400), preserved his country's autonomy and ceased to pay tribute to Persia. Accourding to the Vita of Petrus Iberi (6th c.), Parsman (Parsmanes in Latin) who lived in Roman Empire and was magistrus militum at the imperial court of Arcadius (395-408) was blamed in love relationship with Empress Aelia Eudokia. Parsman was forced to run from the Constantinople in 395 and found the shelter among the Huns. In the same year he had captured the royal throne of Kartli with the aid of Huns and expelled the Persian controlled members of Pharnavasid dynasty from capital Mtskheta. According to the Vita of Petrus Iberi he let the Huns to invade the Roman Empire and caused the great damage to all its subjects.
    According to classical and other Syriac sources this invasion took place in 395 and lasted up to the end of 398.
    "According to the Live of Georgian Kings following information is preserved about the Parsman:
    Varaz-Bakar’s son and Peroz’s grandson, Parsman by name, became King, because he wasthe elder among his brothers. Bishop Elias died and Simon took his place. Parsman believed in God
    and was a brave man. He carried on negotiations with the King of the Greeks and asked him for his aid. The Caesar complied with his request. Then he broke off with the Persians, refused to pay
    them tribute, increased the number of crosses, renewed churches all over Kartli and built a church in Bolnisi. But his reign was short".

    (map of Kartli shown in purple as the only independent power in 400 year in Caucasus as the other powers are controlled by EASTERN Romans and SASSANID Persians. Map from Euroatlas)


    After of death of King Parsman, his brother, Mihrdat came into power, and he fought the Greeks (ERE) and Sassanids simultaneously:

    "His brother Mirdat’ became King. He was Trdat’’s grandson, son of Varaz-Bakar, Bakarid on his father’s side and Revid – on his mother’s, descendant of both of Mirian’s sons. Mirdat’’ was a brave
    man and a fearless soldier, but an unbeliever and impious, carefree and arrogant. Relying on his military valor, he did not serve God, did not build churches and added nothing to those already built.
    Due to his lack of concern, he became an enemy of the Greeks and the Persians. He demanded the lands of Kartli – K’larjeti from the Greeks – and refused to pay tribute to the Persians. Then the King
    of the Persians sent against Mirdat’ his commander Usharab42 by name, with an army. Mirdat’, again, due to his nonchalance, ignored the numerical superiority of the Persians, met them with a small
    army at Gardabani and joined battle. The Persians put the Georgians to flight and captured Mirdat’. The Persians conquered Kartli and desecrated the churches. And the King’s relatives remained in
    the ravine of K’akheti, and Bishop Simon with them. And they took Mirdat’ to Baghdad, where he died."

    After the capture and death of Mihrdat (father of Peter the Iberian) in AD 421, his relative Archiles (421-435) came into power and he continue the fight against the Sassanid Persians. Life of Georgian kings relate:
    "And the Persians invaded Kartli and desecrated the churches, but the Georgians hid their crosses. And in all the churches of Kartli, the Persian fire worshipers lighted fire. The relatives of the
    kings of Kartli remained in the valleys of K’akheti.3 Three years later the King of Persia was obliged to attend to other things, for his enemies had risen in the East.4 Then the aznauris of Kartli5 brought
    the son of Trdat’, a nephew of the captured King Mirdat’, who was called Archil6 and set him up as king in Mtskheta. Archil had taken a wife from Greece called Maria, from the family of King Iovian. He declared the Persians his enemies. He retrieved the crosses and adorned the churches; he destroyed and drove away the fire worshipers beyond the limits of Kartli, then summoned some forces from Greece and, led by the cross, began to fight the Persians. In those times, the Persian King’s7 eristavi ruled Kartli; this was before the reign of Archil. Rani and Movak’an8 were also under his power. He (the eristavi) gathered an army in Rani, Movak’an and Adarbadagan,9 and set out against Archil. Archil, putting his hopes and his trust in God, met him at the borders of Kartli and Rani;10 he arranged his troops on the banks of the Berduji River and with the power of the Holy Cross defeated and captured the enemy, captured Rani, and returned victorious to his country. He sent heralds all over Kartli to announce to all: “We overpowered the enemy not by our power, not by our vigor and wisdom, not by the numbers of our army, but by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God, who gave us his Holy Cross as a weapon. Let every Georgian glorify the consubstantial Trinity, and God Primordial, the creator of all existing things. Give Him your thanks, and let your hearts remain firm in your belief in the Holy Trinity.” And the Kartlians gave thanks to the Lord and repaired the churches. Archil built the church of Saint Stephan11 in Mtskheta above the Gates of Aragvi where he also erected impregnable battle towers. Archil begat a son, who was named Mirdat’.12 Mirdat’ grew up and came of age. He was a believer, and a godly youth, like his father. He was valiant and fearless. He extended the war with the Persians, invaded and ravaged Rani and Movak’an, for the Persian King had no time to deal with him, because he was fighting the Inds, Sinds and Abashs, and could not put up a large army to oppose Mirdat’. The Kartlians could cope with the troops of Rani, Movak’an and Adarbadagan. Mirdat’ leading his father’s army, ravaged Rani and Movak’an several times. The eristavi of Rani at that time was Barzabod. Unable to offer resistance to the Kartlians, he reinforced the fortresses and towns. Wherever the Persian troops remained and fought with the Kartlians, who had ravaged them in Rani, they were always defeated.
    Barzabod, the eristavi of Rani,13 had a daughter, a very beautiful girl by the name of Sagdukht’. The rumors of her beauty kindled the flame of passion in Archil’s son, Mirdat’. He said to his father:
    “I ask your majesty to marry me with Barzabod’s daughter, Sagdukht’,14 and to make peace between us, for though we have overpowered him with the help of Christ, we cannot seize the fortresses and
    towns of Rani. If the Persian King finds time, he will take vengeance; he will ravage our churches and do many other terrible things in our country. Let the enmity stop between us, and the King of
    Persia will meet our demands. In this way we will secure the borders of our country; the faith of Christ will grow stronger in Kartli, and no Georgian will doubt and abuse the Persians when their
    arbitrariness ends. Mirdat’ said all this because of his love for this woman. And Archil fulfilled his wish. He sent an envoy to Barzabod with the request to marry his daughter to his son. Barzabod rejoiced, and felt great happiness, for his country15 was ruined and he personally was in straitened circumstances; he asked for an oath and the promise of peace. They took the oath. Barzabod married off his
    daughter and gave her a great dowry. They brought her to Mtskheta and celebrated their wedding there; and for many days they enjoyed themselves and celebrated. The King presented his son with
    Samshvilde16 and all its lands, and Mirdat’ and Sagdukht’ settled there. Queen Sagdukht’ showed a desire to learn the Christian faith. Her spouse gathered scholars,
    versed in the faith, and they began to translate the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ for her. And they showed her that the true God is Christ, who sacrificed himself to save us. When Sagdukht’ became
    aware of the true faith, she gave up worshiping fire, converted and was baptized. She also built Zion of Samshvilde. At this time in Archil’s reign, three bishops passed away: Iona, Grigol and Basil. After Basil died, Archil appointed a bishop, who was called Mobidan.18 He was a Persian by birth and outwardly observed Orthodoxy. But he was a faithless man, a violator of mores. King Archil and his son did not
    discern the faithlessness of Mobidan at once, but continued to take him for a believer. And Mobidan did not preach his faith openly, being afraid of the King and the people, but wrote secret outrageous
    books, which after his demise were burned like all his (other) writings by the true bishop Michael, who was later discharged due to his impertinence toward King Vakht’ang. King Archil ended his days in dedication to the Holy Trinity; he erected churches and increased the number of priests, deacons and church attendants all over Kartli, and then he died. King Archil ended his days in dedication to the Holy Trinity; he erected churches and increased the number of priests, deacons and church attendants all over Kartli, and then he died." (These are from the latest published book - Kartlis Tskhovreba: A History of Georgia. Chief Ed. Acad. Roin Metreveli and Prof.Stephan Jones. Artanuji publishers. Tbilisi, 2014.)

    the reign of Archiles (421-435) shows that Kartli was still in fierce struggle against the Sassanids and maintained its independence long after the Parsmans arrival to power with the help of Huns Georgians
    struggled against Persian and Roman simultaneously, which is very important. Later according the LGK (Live of Georgian Kings), during the youth of King Vakhtang I Gorgasali the queen Sagdukht was forced to impose the Persian control over Kingdom of Kartli, but in late year of Vakhtang I Gorgasali (449-502) in 482 the fierce struggle started against the Persian. Vakhtang was aided by the Armenian under Vahan Mamikonian and the bunch of Huns in North Caucasus, and he finally defeated the Sassianid after the death of Peroz I in the battle against Hephtalites (484). Vakhtang died in 502, in the new war against the Sassanids.

    (Map of Kingdom of Kartli in 500 from euroatlas.com.Kartli is still single independent realm in Caucasus. Others are conquered or under the dependance of Eastern Roman Empire and Sassanid Persia. Shown in brown at the South-East of the map).




    GEOPOLITICAL IMPORTANCE OF KARTLI IN 4th to 5th CENTURIES

    1. Dariali Pass (Caspiae Portae).
    From the Dariali Pass the rulers of Kartli were able to let the hordes of Northern Caucasus and Eurasian steps to go and invade the Sassanid and Eastern Roman Empire, which they did many times.

    See the links of wiki

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gates_of_Alexander

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darial_Gorge

    2. Mountainous country.
    The Kartli was mountainous kingdom as almost 70% of its territory was the mountains and hills and it was very well defended naturally from the enemies.

    3. Strategic location.
    Kartli was on the edge of Europe and Asia, hence it was very important to control its lands in order to capture the important roads leading to the East to West and vise-versa. Kartli (Iberia) as a part of modern Georgia at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is a combination of uniqueness and diversity. Hence it was always in check.

    4. Christianity mixed with Eastern culture.
    This particular moment make the Kingdom of Kartli as mach favored for the Romans as for the Persians, they both aimed to control it for that suppose as well. The Northern tribes had an eye for the land of Kartli which was sedentary live and had quite a lot of production from the crop rotation.

    5. Farming and Agriculture
    Even the name Georgia is produced from the Greek word "georgioi" that means the earthworker. From the Greek name Γεωργιος (Georgios) which was derived from the Greek word γεωργος (georgos) meaning "farmer, earthworker". hence the Kartli kingdom was settled with the landlovin people and the land-makers as well as farmers.


    CAVALRY OF KARTLI/IBERIA

    Except for that the Kartli was very famous with its cavalry. They played the major role in Kingdom of Kartli and they also used Sarmatian and Hunnish cavalry as mercenaries during the many years of their struggle against Rome and Persia.
    During the Parsman II Braves (c. 120-150) visit in Rome in 141, during the rule of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius (137-161), the emperor himself ordered to erect the equestrian statue of King Parsman II the Brave in the center of Rome. This was the only statue of the barbarian king erected in city of Rome in 2nd century AD and the Parsanm was on the horseback which point the leading role of Cavalry in he army of Georgians (Iberians) during the AD 2nd century. Live of King Vakhtang I Gorgasali also adds dozens of fact about the might of Georgian cavalry during the 5th century.

    (extract from prof. David Braund. Georgia in Antiquity. A History of Colchis and Transcaucasian Iberia, 550 b.c.-a.d. 562. Pp. xviii+360, 8 Maps, 21 plates. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1994. Cased, £40.), pp. 232-3.





    See also useful links:

    http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...asian-Iberia-)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Iberia

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vakhtang_I_of_Iberia


    PS. I will post more later, especially about the military stuff of Kartli faction.
    Last edited by JERUSALEM; December 30, 2014 at 07:01 AM.
    Through your intercession I hope to see the light of Thy son and the light of everlasting ages !

  2. #2
    SeniorBatavianHorse's Avatar Tribunus Vacans
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    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    A very informative post - my interest is in Armenia and the Caucasus regions in the Later Roman period and this has shed some light into an obscure area!

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    Magister Militum Flavius Aetius's Avatar δούξ θρᾳκήσιου
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    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    As I mentioned in the Rep, this is a good post. Although AFAIK it was called Colchis in this period, was it not?

  4. #4

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Quote Originally Posted by Magister Militum Flavius Aetius View Post
    As I mentioned in the Rep, this is a good post. Although AFAIK it was called Colchis in this period, was it not?
    Thanks. Egrisi was the name of the Colchis during the 4th and 5th cc. until the 8th century. But the Greco-Romans used to call it "Lazica" as the Lazic tribe took the leading position among the many others living in Western Georgia - Colchis, as it was called before. The Northern part of Colchis, which is now Abkhazia was called as Sanigia, Apsilia, and Abasgia as those tribes ruled that area. Later in 6-7th century all those tribes were united as Abasgia. Before that period Abasgia was ruled by Egrisi/Lazica (2nd to 6th cc.), but in the end of 8th century Abasgia became dominant. Abasgia and Egrisi were united under the kingship of Abasgian dynasty, since then the whole Western Georgia was called Abasgia (Aphkhazeti/Abkhazia, which is Georgian denomination of that region)

    It is quite complicated history.




    PS. I will post more briefly about Kartli in 395, also about Georgian king of Kartli Vakhtang I Gorgasali and about the military stuff of Kartli/Iberia later.







    .
    Last edited by JERUSALEM; November 21, 2014 at 10:55 AM.
    Through your intercession I hope to see the light of Thy son and the light of everlasting ages !

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    SeniorBatavianHorse's Avatar Tribunus Vacans
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    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    I look forward to it!

  6. #6

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Now, let me post more materials about the Kingdom of Kartli (Iberia).

    I want to point is out, especially for the critics of Attila TW, that CA did good job while creating the faction symbols of Kartli (known as Iberia in Greaco-Roman world) and Lazica (known as Egrisi in Georgian world) factions.

    CA have used the Colchian (from the 1st to 8 cc. AD it was called Lazica/Egrisi) amphora discovered near Poti (Lazica/Egrisi. Nowadays Western Georgia), lake Paliastomi, settlement Natekhebi (Georgia); brownish clay; Date – 3rd – 6th cc. A.D.; Archaeologist G. Gamkrelidze; Preserved in Poti (Georgia), Colchisian Culture Museum.



    Also, for the faction symbol of Kingdom of Kartli they have used the Golden ring discovered in Samtavro royal domain of Kartli/Iberian kings dated in 2nd c. AD. Probably, the golden ring belonged to the king, or to the member of the royal family.



    So, these are the faction symbols of Lazica and Kartli, and I am really glad that CA is trying to make game historically more accurate for the lesser faction rather then they did it during the Rome II Total War.
    Here is the video and there you can see the faction symbols for the Kartli and the Lazica factions from Attila TW. Lazica is a puppet state (vassal) state of Eastern Roman Empire, which is absolutely correct from the historical point of view, and the Kartli is independent, which is also correct for the 395 year (starting data of the game).

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bTJoRml8QY

    See - 2:40-2:57 seconds

    We do not know the status of faction of Abasgia in beginning of Attila TW, but the Abasgia should have to be the puppet (vassal) state of Lazica, of course if it is possible to be the puppet state for the puppet state of ERE. In the 4th century Abasgia was paying tribute to Lazi Kings of Kingdom of Lazica/Egrisi (Ancient Colchis).


    Now let me post the research from the very good Georgian historian and archaeologist, Gela Gamkrelidze about the military history of Kingdom of Kartli and Lazica (Colchis) from BC 4th to AD 2nd cc.


    In the classical period political hegemony on Georgian territory was attained by the kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia [13; 34; 37], on whose place and basis Georgia was formed in the future. It should be noted that, unfortunately, factual data for the reconstruction of the military and political history of the Classical period is scarce. Nevertheless, reconstruction of the military and political history of the 4th cent. B.C.-2nd cent. A.D. is feasible to a greater or lesser extent on the basis of a mutual collation and critical analysis of the evidence of the written sources and archaeological and epigraphic remains [see 19; 20; 24; 25; 2;13; 6;7;]. Modern Georgia lies in the central and western part of Transcaucasia. The political-economic situation of ancient Georgia differed in various periods. At the original stage of development, the Georgians or the Kartvelian ethnos were settled in the basins of three rivers – Mtkvari (Curos), Rioni and Chorokhi. People of an ancient Kartvelian stock inhabited approximately this territory, whose various unions are referred to by different ancient written sources (Herodotus, Xenophon, Strabo, Arrian, Leonti Mroveli, and others), namely Colchians, Iberians, Mossinoeci, Chalybes, Sasperes, Heniochi, Taochoi, Saniges; subsequently the Chan, the Laz, the Svans, the Egrians, the Karts [16;36].
    The hills and hillocks, gorges, knolls, hollows, uplands and lowlands, with their natural environment, create convenient places for settlement. Building material here is in abundance: wood, clay, stone, etc.; there is granite, limestone, gypsum, potter’s clay, various shales, and quartz sand. The principal sites of metallurgical ore mining (copper, iron, and tin) in Georgia are: Racha-Lechkhumi, Svaneti,
    Abkhazia, Achara, Kvemo (Lower) Kartli, the upper reaches of the Greater Liakhvi, the river Dzami valley. The sand of the Enguri, Tskhenistsqali, Tekhuri, Rioni and Mashavera rivers contains a definite amount of gold. This is attested by ancient authors: Strabo (XI, II, 19), Appian (HR, XII, 103). Gold mining is reported by Pliny too (NH, XXXIII). Owing to its specific tectonic development, Georgia’s relief is divided into two main differing parts: mountains and foothill, and valley and lowland. Footpath-roads crossed the mountain ranges of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, by which the ancient local population communicated with the rest of the world; these are: Rikoti, Zekari, Mepistsqaro, Mamisoni, Nakra, Klukhori, Daryali, etc.[37; The terrain of Colchis, and partly Iberia, bounded by mountains, created an advantageous defensive and military-strategic environment. Notable from this viewpoint is the assessment of the theatre of military operations in the Caucasus Mountains and adjacent territory, given by Lucullus, Roman general of the 1st cent. B.C. (see Plutarch, Lucullus, 14). Significant information in this respect is also found in (Flavius) Arrian’s written report to the Emperor Hadrian. Arrian visited the Black Sea littoral of Georgia as the emperor’s military and administrative official (see his Periplus Ponti).
    Consideration of the local terrain and landscape is of major importance in conducting military operations. Skilful use of narrow gorges easy to block, high mountains difficult to cross, hillocks easy to fortify, dense, impenetrable forests, rivers hard to cross was a guarantee of a successful ending of a military campaign. The climate is attached no less importance in warfare. Thus, in fighting Pompey, Mithradates Eupator ―fled to Colchis beyond the mountains ―(see Strabo, XII, III, 28). He had to rally forces and replenish armament; he wintered in Dioscurias, using the terrain and climate towards the
    realization of his military and strategic plan (see Appian, HR, XII, 101). The Rioni-Qvirila (the Phasis of the Greco-Latin written sources) and the Mtkvari (the Curos of the Graeco-Latin sources) constituted an advantageous transit and strategic route owing to their physico-geographic location. Evidence on this is largely preserved in the writings of Strabo and Pliny (see Strabo, XI, II, 17; VII, 3; Pliny, NH, VI, 52). Notably enough, classical and early medieval settlement sites are situated precisely along this route, their archaeological study yielding imported foreign items (pottery, ornaments, coins, and metal and glass vessels). Such settlement sites along the Rioni-Qvirila have been discovered at Shorapani, Kldeeti, Vani, Shuamta, Partsqanaqanevi, Mtisdziri, Dablagomi, Dapnari, Sajavakho, Chaladidi (near Poti), and so on; along the course of the Mtkvari: at Zghuderi, Urbnisi, Uplistsikhe, Qanchaeti, Dzalisa, Tsikhiagora, Nastakisi, Samadlo, Sarkine, Mtskheta, and so on.[see 1; 6; 7; 8; 10; 11; 12; 30; 35; 3].
    During military operations in Iberia and Colchis, the local fighters made good use of the terrain, mountains, narrow defiles of gorges, defensive works advantageously positioned on mountains and hills, dense impenetrable forests, fords. The same factors had a negative effect on the actions of the invading forces. They were naturally not familiar with the local geographical setting, failing to make a tactically correct use of it. Accordingly, they lacked comprehensive information about local conditions; in particular, they had a vague idea of the opponent’s economic base and resources, the quantitative demographic situation, morale, communication and military and technical means, social system, military and strategic actions. Owing the geographic setting, in Iberia and Colchis it was almost unfeasible to conduct wide-scale, frontal operations with numerous troops. Success here could be achieved with well-trained, mobile, so-called
    commando-type detachments, well-informed about the local environment. The strategy and tactics of the war operations of the local population were largely built on the advantageous use of the terrain. Colchis - and partly Iberia – were historical-geographical regions, bounded by mountains, creating a definite natural defensive area from the military and strategic points of view. Fertile soil, varied relief, moderate climate, ample hydropower resources, ores, diversity of flora and fauna provided a good basis for social progress. Hence, a highly-peculiar historical-cultural area took shape in Colchis, with its centre on the Rioni, and in Iberia, on the Mtkvari. Colchis and Iberia in the classical period held a pivotal area geopolitically. The eastern and western civilizations met here – and occasionally clashed[37].
    Written sources and archaeological evidence . ―The Life of the Georgian Kings and of their Fathers and Ancestors from the Earliest Times‖ (see Kartlis Tskhovreba, hereinafter K.Ts.)[18] is the basic Georgian language source for Georgia’s history and particularly her military and political history. It was compiled by the Georgian scholar Leonti Mroveli. Most of the reports found in this (written) source have been documentarily confirmed by new archaeological excavations. For example, the fortified cities: Nastakisi, Sarkine[23], Tsikhe-Goji, Armazi, Shorapani, Dimna; historical personages: Artag (Artoces), Parsman I, Parsman Kveli, Mihrdat, Amazasp, and others. The names of historical persons are confirmed in epigraghic monuments discovered archaeologically. King Parsman is mentioned in the so-called Vespasian’s inscription unearthed on the right bank of the Mtkvari, in Mtskheta. The same inscription refers to King Mihrdat. The latter is also mentioned in the so-called inscription №1, brought to light in Armazi, Mtskheta. King Mihrdat is mentioned also in an inscription found in Rome. King Parsman features in an inscription found at Ostia, the port of Rome. The same king is mentioned in the
    so-called ―Armazi bilingual inscription‖ excavated archaeologically at Armazi, Mtskheta. The same bilingual mentions ―the great King Xepharnug of the Iberians‖. ―The great King Amazasp of the Iberians‖ is mentioned in an inscription brought to light in 1996 as a result of archaeological studies at Armaztsikhe-Bagineti[19]. The actions of the historical persons, mentioned in ―The Life of the Georgian Kings‖, are repeatedly referred to and described in Greco-Latin sources as well. The Iberian King Artag (Artoces) is mentioned by Appian in describing Pompey’s campaign in Iberia (HR, XII, 103,117), and Dio Cassius (History of Rome, XXXVII, 1). King Parnavaz is referred to by Dio Cassius (History of Rome, XLIX, 24; LVIII, 26). King Parsman is cited by Tacitus (Annals, VI, 33, 34); Dio Cassius (History of Rome, LVIII, 26). King Parsman II is mentioned by Arrian (Periplus, 11)[see 2; 5; 18; 19; 20; 23;24; 25;34]. The Iberian kings mentioned in written and archaeologically obtained epigraphic sources were directors and organizers of military affairs in Kartli. The military and administrative reforms carried out by king Parnavaz laid the foundation for the kingdom of Iberia (Kartli according to the Georgian language sources): ―Then Parnavaz was safe from all his enemies and became king of Kartli and Eguri (i.e. Egrisi) and he increased the number of the Kartlosid i.e. Goeorgianid armies and appointed eight eristavis and a spaspeti‖ (K.Ts.). These reforms were further extended by other kings of the Parnavazid dynasty. Importantly enough, Parnavaz, king of Iberia and founder of the Parnavazid dynasty (end of the 4th cent. B.C.– first half of the 3rd cent. B.C.) is referred to in the Armazic-Aramaic text of the so-called Armazi bilingual inscription, viz. in line 8.[5].
    Along with Georgian, special significance attaches to Greco-Latin sources in studying Georgia’s military and political history of the Classical and Hellenistic period, viz. Herodotus’ History VII,79; Xenophon’s Anabasis, IV-VIII,17-19,22; Memnon’s History of Heracleia, Strabo’s Geography, XI,3; Tacitus’s Annals, VI,34; Appian’s HR, XII, 94,103; Arrian’s Periplus, 8-11; Dio’s History of Rome, XXXVII, LXX,[see 38] as well as epigraphic monuments: Eshera 1st cent. BC, Mtskheta 75 A.D., the so-called Vespasian’s, the so-called Monumentum Ancyranum near Ankara. The Ostian Parsman II’s; Mtskheta’s so-called Armazi bilingual; the so-called Shapur’s inscription near Istakhar, etc. Armament constitutes one of the principal sources for the study of military art of Classical-period Georgia, and generally of the ancient World. Its development is directly proportional to the development of society. Both offensive and defensive types of armament occur in the archaeological material of Georgia of Classical times. Of the types of offensive weapons spears, battle-axes, daggers, swords, bows and arrows and slings are represented in Classical-period archaeological material[see 1; 3; 4; 10; 12; 14; 15; 17; 30; 35 etc.].
    As shown by research, the spear was the chief weapon of war in Georgia throughout the Classical period. Numerically, iron spears come first in comparison with other weapons, according to archaeological evidence. The same is confirmed by written sources (see Herodotus, Xenophon, Srabo). At different stages of the Classical period, wherever mention is made of the armament of Kartvelian population, the spear features invariably. The spear has been discovered at many archeological sites (Sukhumi, Tsiteli Shukura, Guadikhu, Sukhumi Mountain, Eshera, Vani, Pereta, Gora, Dablagomi, Chkhorotsqu, Dzevri, Itkhvisi, Modinakhe, Beshtasheni, Shavsaqdara, Santa, Tashbashi, Qanchaeti, Kamarakhevi, Tsikhedidi, Natsargora, Varsimaantkari, Zhinvali, Tsipranisdziri, Nedzikhi, Kldeeti, Uplistsikhe)[13; 30;] According to the features characteristic of the spearhead, five principal types are known in Classical-period Georgia, the so-called narrow-bladed spears being most numerous and characteristic of the 6th-3rd cent. B.C. The so-called elongate rhomboid-bladed spears coexisted with the form just named, in evidence with rounded shouldered spearheads throughout the Classical period. Notably enough, these three types are known from the pre-Classical period. The next variety is an iron battle-axe – an iron weapon for hacking, with a short four-faceted butt and oval hole for the handle. Iron battle-axes have been attested at many sites of Georgia’s Classical period (see Tsiteli Shukura, Gudauta, Guadikhu, the Sukhumi Mountain, Eshera, Vani, Dablagomi, Dzevri, Kutaisi, Kerzu, Brili, Qanchaeti, Beshtasheni, Gomareti, Etso, Manglisi, Asureti, Santa, Rveli). Two principal types are distinguishable among them in terms of characteristics. Daggers and swords occur – with different ratios – in Georgian material culture throughout the Classical period and it may be said that each chronological stage is characterized by a definite type. We come across two-blade flat-handled (5th-3rd cent. B.C.), single-bladed (4th- 3rd cent. B.C.), ring-handled (1st- 2nd, 2nd- 4th cent. A.D.), and with a wooden case handle specimens. The points of their discovery are: Sukhumi, Tsiteli Shukura, Guadikhu, Eshera, Vani, Inashauri, Gora, Qanchaeti, Itkhvisi, Chkhari, Lia, Dzevri, Modinakhe, Chkhorotsqu, Bori, Kamarakhevi, Zhinvali, Armaztsikhe, Kldeeti[6; 7; 8; 10; 12]. The sling was a simple variety of a projectile weapon. Small-sized round boulder-stones are found in abundance at the ruins of Classical period fortification systems and graves of warriors, along with armour plates (see Vani, Anakopia).
    As to the bow and arrow, unfortunately it is not attested archaeologically. Bronze, bone and iron arrowheads have come to light at different points of Georgia (Vani, Itkhvisi, Kutaisi, Ivrispirebi, Enageti, Tsikhedidi, Gomareti, Sioni, Kumisa, Tsikhiana, Samadlo, Nastakisi, Algeti, Varsimaantkari, Chala, Kldeeti). These arrowheads are of different types: four-faceted, pyramidal (5th-4th cent. B.C.); bronze, three-faceted, socket-less (4th-3rd cc B.C.); socketed (5th-3rd cc B.C.); bronze, three-winged, socketed-spurred and spurless (5th-4th cc. B.C.); bronze, pyramidal headed, socketed (4th-3rd cc B.C.); iron, tanged three-winged (2nd-3rd cc. A.D.). Small sized arrowheads, appearing in the 5th-3rd cc. BC have corresponding small-sized bows, while relatively large iron arrowheads point to large bows. Of the categories of defensive armament coat-of-arms, helmet, shield and cnemides are attested in Classical period Georgia. These varieties have come down to us in specimens made of metal. The Kartvelian population, as evidenced by written sources, was armed with wooden and leather, at times flax, defensive means, hence these failed to be preserved in the earth. The chain-mail is represented as fragments of metal-reinforced armour, i.e. small plates of iron and bronze with which clothes of leather or fabric were covered. These have been found in 4th century B.C. archaeological complexes (Vani, Sairkhe, Zhinvali). The helmets are of bronze – of the so-called Chalcidice type. Found in 4th century archaeological complexes (Akhul Abaa, Kutaisi, Kokhi, Lanchkhuti, Dedoplistsqaro). As to shields, we may form an idea of them from specimens with a metal cover; according to the latter several types are distinguishable in Classical-time Georgia: covered entirely with a metal plate, the so-called hoplite shields (6th-5th cc. B.C.); covered with metal bands or narrow plates (4th-3rd cc. B.C.); with metal umbones (2nd-1st cc. B.C. - 3rd-4th cc. A.D.); these are discovered on Classical period Georgian archaeological sites (Tsiteli Shukura, Akhul Abaa, Eshera, Vani, Modinakhe, Kamarakhevi, Varsimaantkari, Zhinvali). Thus, the shield is found at all stages of the Classical and Hellenistic period. In all, three bronze cnemides have been brought to light (Vani, Akhul Abaa), dateable to the 4th century B.C. According to archaeological evidence, the war chariot held a definite place in the military art of Georgia’s ruling circles of the Classical and Hellenistic period of is. Its remains have been discovered in a 4th century archaeological complex at Uplistsikhe. This must have been traces of a two-wheeled war chariot. A bronze model of a two-wheeled war chariot, drawn by two horses, has been found at Gokhebi, near Tetritsqaro. Greco-Latin and archaeological data are interesting for the study of the wooden defence works of Classical and Hellenistic period Georgia. This data is largely preserved in the works of Hecataeus of Miletus, Hippocrates, Xenophon, Strabo, Appolonius Rhodius, Diodorus of Sicily, Pomponius Mela, Vitruvius, and Pliny. The works of the cited authors deal with fortified settlements of south and south-western Transcaucasia, in particular Colchian-Mossinoeci beam and plaster, tower-type fortifications. The same sources contain noteworthy evidence on the use of the relief in the construction of settlements and their interrelationship. According to Xenophon, the fortifications consisted of a moat, the main road connecting the inner fortress-tower and other relatively smaller towers. All these were enclosed within a paling of beams. This wall of beams had the principal gate. The fortification towers served as living quarters as well. Interesting in this respect is the 4th century beam tower of v. Mtisdziri, Vani district[3; 30]. Archaeological studies point to the existence in 5th-4th cc. Colchis of a definite, well established system of fortified settlements. Colchian settlements of the 6th- 4th cent.B.C. were situated on hills, forming a definite system and surrounded with moats. Wooden beams constituted the chief building material, due to the abundance of forests in Colchis.The fortification works of ancient cities, brought to light in Georgia, were built on the basis of Hellenistic advanced and highly developed theoretical and practical achievements of the period. The city fortification systems of Armaztsikhe, Uplistsikhe, Vani and Eshera: Armaztsikhe - triangular rocky mountain forms the end of the ―mountain of Kartli‖. Dominating over the environment, it controls the crossing of the two rivers – the Mtkvari and the Aragvi. The mountain is divided into a relatively plain area where the city proper was built, and a rocky elevation – a fortification dominant. Its front part is bounded by the river Mtkvari, and the other two parts by double, parallel ravines. A fortification line follows along the edge of each ravine: a chain of curtains and towers. The chief function of the outer fortification strip and its tower was to protect the town. Both lines are built with account of the achievements of the advanced engineering of the period[1; 6; 7; 8; 33; 35]. Uplistsikhe - ancient rock-town city in the middle of Kartli is situated on a rocky triangular projection of a ridge on the left bank of the Mtkvari. Its fortification line was combined in a special way, the rock gates were linked to an aggregate of curtains and towers. The fortification works here are almost entirely destroyed and they can be judged, largely their direction, by the sockets hewn in the rock for the walls[26]. Vani - Of ancient Georgia’s cities, fortifications of Vani have been brought to light best of all. Not only towers and curtains have been unearthed but gates, posterns, moats, etc. as well. On the whole the system is the result of well-planned construction. It attracts attention in many respects, e.g. by portcullises, octagonal towers, counterfort curtains, etc. It must have been built in the 2nd cent. BC. This ancient city was situated on a hill of 6 ha, in the river Sulori valley, west Georgian lowland[6; 7; 8; 13; 33].
    Eshera - is a noteworthy ancient city site of the eastern Black Sea area and north-western Colchis. It is situated 10 km westward of Sukhumi, on the right bank of the Gumista. Here two fragments of the fortification line have been brought to light: curtains and towers. A secret door has also been revealed. Here too, as in all other cases, the walls are strictly subordinated to the natural boundaries of the hill. The fortification of Eshera should be dated to the 1st cent. B.C. [35]. Ancient Georgia (Iberia-Colchis), lying at the juncture of Asia and Europe, was the arena of hostilities between military and political-economic forces of countries of Iranian, on the one hand, and Graeco-Roman orientation, on the other. In 401 Cyrus, ruler of Cappadocia and Lydia (in Asia Minor) started a war against the Iranian king Artaxerxes II to deprive him of his throne. In this war, Xenophon was the military leader of one detachment of Greek mercenaries. He described the battles and the territories where people of Georgian stock lived. In a battle near Babylon, Prince Cyrus was killed, and his army dispersed; 10000 Greek fighters, steeled in battles, took the road back home. On their homeward path they passed through south-western Transcaucasia – at times negotiating their passage with the local Kartvelian population but mostly fighting their way with difficulty. The10,000 strong army needed considerable provisions, leading to clashes with the local population. Some fortified towns had to be stormed, while others were too strong to take and were bypassed. According to Xenophon, the numerous fortified cities they passed differed in their defenses. Thus, failing to take one stronghold the Greeks lost many men and they had to retreat (see Anabasis, V, 2, 7).
    It is clear from Xenophon’s records that the Kartvelian population of south-western Transcaucasia had a good mastery of the basic elements of warfare of the times. In particular, they had special fortifications – moats, wooden walls, towers, inner fortresses, embankments; they possessed advanced weapons of the period: spears, daggers, axes, arrows; means of individual defense: shields, helmets, armour; and knowledge of military-tactical stratagems: quick attack, regrouping, advantageous use of the terrain; were courageous in battle, adroit and indomitable (Anabasis, III-V). Xenophon has left a description of a clash between the Colchians and the Greek troops in 401 BC. The battle took place on a hill at the borders of Colchian dominions. Owing to the rugged terrain, it must have been difficult for the Greek phalange to take this elevation, as there would be confusion among the foot-soldiers resulting in a rout. Hence, by the decision of the Greek command, the ―phalanx” was divided into companies – lochi – and deployed frontally along the entire perimeter of the enemy’s defense. This was done in such a way as to exceed the line of Colchian defense, allowing subsequent attack from the flanks. These superior forces attacked the Colchian position on the hill and took the strategically important elevation after a stiff battle. As a result, the Greeks invaded the land of the Colchians, cleaning their way to the Black Sea. Then they entered the coastal, densely populated city of Trapezus in the land of the Colchians (see Anabasis, IV-VIII, 17-19, 22). The Colchian military leadership appears to have had intelligence reports on the military movements of the Greeks. Hence the Colchian army was ready for battle, occupying strategic eminences at the Colchian border; this must have been in eastern Pontus and in the Laz mountain region (at present in Turkey). The Colchians were right to deploy their troops on a strategic eminence. One of the commanders on the Greek side, and a connoisseur of the art of war, called this special arrangement of the principal detachment of the Colchians ―phalanx‖ (see Anabasis, IV, VIII, 17) or ―Colchian phalanx‖. The Greek command had considered important the advantageous strategic position of the troops and their tactical disposition. Therefore, the Greeks altered the traditional tactic of engagement. This must have been indicative of the ―Colchian phalanx‖ being a rather formidable force. In the battle of 401 BC, as reported by Xenophon, following the Greek attack, the phalanx of the Colchians split in two in an orderly fashion, one part regrouping to the right and the other to the left. By this the Colchian command carried out a definite maneuver. By opening the central part of the phalanx they created a situation for the Greeks to be decoyed in and then to attack them from the flanks. The Colchians thereby warded off the danger of being outflanked by the Greek lokhi. The Colchians carried out practically correct manouver, but in this case the superior number of the Greek fighters was decisive – they numbered 10,000. As is known, the complex process of the formation of the Iberian Kingdom took place at the turn of the 4th-3rd centuries B.C. At this time Inner Colchis united within the bounds of the Kingdom of Kartli. Apart from fight on land, the residents of the coastal regions of ancient Georgia had experience in naval warfare as well. Evidence on this is preserved in Greco-Latin written sources. According to Strabo, the inhabitants of Colchis at the sea along the Caucasus Range controlled the sea in kamaras or naval boats (see Strabo, XI, II, 12; Tacitus, Annals, III, 47; Xenophon, Anabasis, V, IV, 9-14). Colchis had shipbuilding timber, it produced quantities of flax, hemp, wax and tar (see Strabo XI, II, 17). The naval forces of the Kingdom of Pontus were basically manned by Colchian residents and rigging for ships came from Colchis (see Strabo, XI, II, 18).
    Notwithstanding Rome’s might, it failed to bring Colchis under control. Nor was this achieved by the hand of Aristarchus, Mithridates of Pergamum or Polemo. Lucullus’s prediction to the effect that it was very difficult to subdue this region partly came true (see Plutarch, Lucullus, 14). Indeed, Inner Colchis, with its’ gorges, hard-to-cross rivers must have not been easy to subjugate. This was compounded by aggressively inclined principalities and warlike mountain population. The Romans succeeded in establishing a definite control over the Black Sea littoral. In this the coastal cities must have served as their main strongholds in which – unlike Inner Colchis – the Greco-Roman economic and cultural influence was stronger. The Colchian littoral was the strategic and communication base indispensable for Rome to establish her influence in Asia Minor and the Bosphorus. The factor of the war played a significant – at times decisive – role in the process of the historical development of Colchis and Iberia. The incorporation of part of Colchis in the Kingdom of Iberia led to the ultimate breakdown of the Kingdom of Colchis and change of its political status. The expansion of the Kingdom of Pontus – followed by the annexation of the Black Sea littoral – also proved negative for Colchis. In Inner Colchis the rich city of Vani (see archaeological material) was destroyed and plundered. Colchis turned into an arena of hostilities between the Kingdom of Pontus and Rome, the latter exerting a definite influence on the development of Colchis, and later of Iberia. On the one hand, this influence proved negative, for the littoral fell under the political influence of Rome, while in some regions – owing to Rome’s flexible policy – the situation grew unstable, ending subsequently in the development of ―principalities‖ – semi-dependent on Rome (e.g. the Saniges, Macrones, Heniochi, Lazica, Apsiles, Abazgoi; see Arrian’s Periplus, 11). On the other hand, Rome – a highly developed, advanced state of the period – played a somewhat positive role: in particular, the local population became closely acquainted with the then progressive Roman culture; Roman commercial capital appeared in the coastal cities; acquaintance was made with new war tactics and technology.
    The period of ascendancy of the Kingdom of Iberia began from the end of the 1st century B.C. this was facilitated to some extent by the new advantageous geopolitical situation, in particular, the incessant wars between Rome[39] and Parthia. The rulers of Iberia made adroit use of the confrontation of Rome and Parthia. In the first half of the 1st century, the Kingdom of Iberia grew so powerful as to expand its borders and capture, after a stiff battle, the important city-fortress of Artaxata on the Araxes. By this time, Iberia had regained its south-western territories in the upper reaches of the Chorokhi, the Mtkvari and the Araxes, even reaching the seashore. In the 30s A.D. the Iberian king Parsman – acting in collusion with the Romans – set out on a campaign against the Parthians in the Araxes area. The enemy troops were commanded by Orodes, son of the Parthian king. The numerous Parthian forces were largely composed of horsemen, while the Iberian king’s troops comprised a strong infantry and mobile detachments of cavalry. Parsman I made brilliant use of the local conditions and tested stratagems. The Parthian cavalry was not accustomed to warfare on mountainous terrain. The Iberian cavalrymen first showered the Parthians with arrows, and then the infantry launched an orderly attack, resulting in an utter rout of the Parthians (see Tacitus, Annals, IV, 33-35). At the first stage of the battle Parsman besieged the enemy sentry posts, capturing the strategic supplies of food, forage, etc. (see Tacitus, Annals, VI, 34). By a correctly calculated manouvre, Parsman succeeded in defeating the Parthians in the battle.
    In the 50s A.D. Parsman I rendered military aid to the Roman commander Gneus Domitius Corbullon who was conducting a war against the Parthians in south Transcaucasia. In return, Iberia incorporated lands up to the river Araxes (see Tacitus, Annals, XIV,23). In the first half of the 2nd century Parsman II Kveli ascended the Iberian royal throne (see Moktsevai Kartlisai ―The Conversion of Georgia‖, 36; K.Ts., I, [18, p. 51]). Parsman II already fought the Roman Empire openly, seeking to oust it from coastal Colchis and southern Transcaucasia. To uphold her own interest, Iberia boldly takes on Rome and Parthia the mightiest states of the period. The cited states appear to have considered the Kingdom of Iberia a powerful country to be reckoned with. Hence, under the Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161 A.D.) relations between Iberia and Rome improved. The Roman historian Elius Spartian narrates that the Roman emperor respected the Iberian king Parsman II, for he was in need of Parsman’s military support in south Transcaucasia and the Near East. Therefore he granted the Iberian king countless valuable gifts (these may be the valuable items discovered to date archaeologically at Mtskheta; see [1]), a war elephant and a 50-strong detachment of warriors (see [38, p. 293]). In 140 A.D. Parsman II arrived in the Imperial capital Rome, with a retinue, on a diplomatic mission. Parsman was accorded a solemn welcome and even his statue was erected in token of respect (see Dio Cassius, History of Rome, LXX, 2). As a result of a flexible policy of the kingdom of Iberia (maneuvering between Rome and Parthia) and successful wars the country’s border expanded. Much wealth entered the country, bringing about economic advance and an accelerated tempo of development of manufacture. Notably enough, the frequent military operations in Colchis and Iberia and optimum stress situations, calling for quick resolutions of organizational questions, contributed to the social consolidation of the local population. The Iberian kingdom of the Parnavazid period, including part of Colchis as well, had a fairly good system of military organization. The Iberians appeared to have been well-informed about the advanced military art of the Greeks, Iranians and Romans, skillfully adapting this knowledge to their own capacities. At the time of war, the country could mobilize up to 50.000 infantry and 20.000 cavalry (see Strabo, XI, III, 3; IV, 5). Part of this army was well-trained, presenting a formidable force. According to Appian, in the fight against Pompey ―… Artag, the king of the Iberians gave battle (to Pompey) with 70.000 fighters… at the river Cyrus (the Mtkvari) (see Appian, HR, XII, 103). The king was supreme commander of the kingdom of Iberia, the reins of state government being in his hands. The entire military and administrative system obeyed the king. According to Strabo, the commander-in-chief was next to the king, being appointed from the royal family (see Strabo, XI, III, 6; K. Ts. I,[18, p. 24]). Strabo notes in the same passage that the eristavis or governors of the country’s military and administrative regions came under the commander-in-chief. The atasistavis (―head of one thousand soldiers‖) and the asistavis (―head of one hundred soldiers‖) were subordinate to eristavis (see K. Ts., I,[18, pp. 24-25]). Hence, it should be assumed that the army was conventionally divided into companies (hundreds) and legions (thousands). The next in seniority to the king was the commander-in-chief who ruled the military department and he was charged with directing the armed forces. He was also responsible for the mobilization of the army, gaining the intelligence information about the enemy and military training and readiness. Similar duties devolved on the eristavis of certain territories who governed territories placed under them and commanded the warriors coming from there. The Iberian kingdom was divided into territorial-administrative units (see K. Ts., I.[18, p. 24]). They were governed by representatives of the local military aristocracy - eristavis, referred to as sceptukhs or pitiakhshes in Greek and Aramaic written sources (see Strabo, XI, II, 18; [24, pp. 37-43]). The insignia of the eristavi, received by him from the king, constituted a sceptre, a special signet ring, a gorgeous belt, armament, etc. (these items are documentarily attested in Georgian archaeological material; see e.g. the graves of the aristocrats, unearthed at Mtskheta[1]).One of the major cares of the state machine of the Iberian kingdom was to reman the military contingent. The king had standing, principal military detachments and a body-guard. These detachments were manned by sons of military-aristocratic families and by mercenary professional warriors. For royal services they received high remuneration and plots of land. They collected the taxes and established order in the country. Warriors of this category were promoted faster, the principal condition being distinction in the military sphere, prowess in war and loyal service at the royal court. In the time of war they basically manned heavily armed cavalry detachments that were capable of quick maneuvering. These formed the middle and junior officers, namely the atasistavis and asistavis. In peaceful times part of them performed civil functions, governing certain minor territorial units. In war they commanded military detachments mobilized from these administrative districts and manned by commoners. Strabo calls these commoners ―warriors and tillers of land‖ (see Strabo, XI, III, 6). People were enlisted from these family commons, going to war with their own arms and forming the largest mass of the state army. The lightly armed infantry was formed chiefly from these men. Commoners of this category returned to their homesteads upon the end of the war and continued tilling the land. Generally, the hierarchic structure of the armed forces of the Iberian Kingdom must have been as follows: king, the commander-in-chief and directly in charge of the royal military office; in today’s terminology, high-ranking officers or supreme command, commanders of warriors coming from territorial units, eristavis; middle and junior officers – atasistavis, tsikhistavis (commanders of the garrisons stationed in royal strongholds), asistavis (younger sons of aristocratic families), mercenary professional fighters (from neighboring countries); soldiers – mobilized commoners in the case of war, local and foreign mercenaries.
    The army of the Iberian Kingdom (see Strabo, XI, III, 3; XI, IV, 5; Appian, HR, XII, 103; K.Ts., I,[18 pp. 24-25]; Plutarch, Lucullus, 31) largely consisted of two fighting arms – infantry and cavalry units; these were: the king’s bodyguard of a heavily armed and well-trained detachment. They were armed with spears, daggers, battle-axes, arrows, chain and armour, helmets, shields; armed companies of cavalry and infantry. The armament of the troops of these two arms was largely similar to that of the king’s detachment. Their armament contained also war chariots and machines for throwing stone missiles; lightly armed infantry (not wearing chain and armour) fought mainly with spears, slings, bows and arrows and wooden shields; these troops were most numerous. Fortification works held a significant place in the defense system of the Iberian Kingdom; they were built at strategically convenient and necessary places, e.g. Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe, Urbnisi, Sarkine, Nastakisi, Shorapani, Dimna, etc. The capital Mtskheta was defended specially. Along with the principal stronghold (Armaztsikhe), another fortification system was built. The roads for entering the country were also reinforced and barred by fortification works. It is evident from the written sources that the military forces of the Iberian Kingdom had good knowledge of the principal elements of the then warfare. They were aware of and made successful use of tactical stratagems of war: rapid attack, regrouping, advantageous use of the terrain, elements of the so-called guerilla warfare (see Dio Cassius, XXXVII, 1, 2; Appian, HR, XII, 103; Plutarch, Pompey, 34: K.Ts., I,[18, p. 28]). In battle they were courageous, expedient and steady. They had iron weapons – advanced for those times – used for attack and defence.

    References: 1. afaqiZe a., gobejiSvili g., kalandaZe al., lomTaTiZe g. mcxeTa I, 1955. 2. gamyreliZe al. axlad aRmoCenili laTinuri warwera farsman mefisa, Jur. "ciskari," Tb., 1959, # 9, gv. 135-139. 3. gamyreliZe g. centraluri kolxeTis namosaxlarebi, Tb., 1982. 4. gamyreliZe g. versia... , akc-s Ziebani, # 10, Tb., 2002, gv. 39-49. 5. giorgaZe g. armazis..., Jur. "mnaTobi," Tb., 1986, # 10, gv. 151-159. 6. vani I, kreb. (red. oT. lorTqifaniZe), Tb., 1972. 7. vani II, kreb., Tb., 1976. 8. vani III, kreb., Tb., 1977. 9. inaZe m. Zveli kolxeTis sazogadoeba, Tb., 1994. 10. kalandaZe al. soxumis mTis arq. Zeglebi, soxumi, 1954. 11. kaxiZe am. saqarTvelos zRvispireTis qalaqebi, Tb., 1971. 12. lomTaTiZe g. kldeeTis samarovani, Tb., 1957. 13.lorTqifaniZe oT. arqeologia..., saq. mecn.akad."macne", 1976,#2, gv.110-128. 14. mamulaZe S., kaxiZe am., xalvaSi m. romaelebi samxreT-dasavleT saqarTveloSi, kulturis istoriis sakiTxebi, X, 2001, gv. 163-177. 15. muxigulaSvili n. varsimaanTkaris..., arq. Ziebani, VI, 1986, gv.67-75. 16. saqarTvelo da qarTvelebis aRmniSvneli ucxouri da qarTuli terminologia (red. g. paiWaZe), Tb., 1993. 17. fircxalava m. Subis tipologiis sakiTxisaTvis antikuri xanis arq. masalidan. kreb. iberia-kolxeTi.#2 Tb., 2005. gv. 7-18. 18. q.c. - qarTlis cxovreba (s. yauxCiSvili), I t., Tb., 1955. 19. yauxCiSvili T. axali berZnuli warwera armazcixe- bagineTidan, xelovnebis sax. muzeumis kreb. "narkvevebi," (II) Tb., 1998, gv. 11-14. 20. yauxCiSvili T. saq. berZnuli warwerebis korpusi, I, Tb., 1999. 21. SatberaSvili v. Zv.w. IV-III ss..., iberia-kolxeTi,#1, 2003, gv.118-129. 22. CixlaZe v. gvianantikuri xanis meomris samarxi Jinvalis samarovnidan. kerb. iberia-kolxeTi,#1 Tb., 2003, gv. 130-135. 23. Zv. qarTuli agiografiuli lit. Zeglebi, w. I, Tb., 1963. 24. wereTeli g. armazis bilingva, "enimkis" moambe, XIII,1942-3: 1-83. 25. wereTeli g. mcxeTis warwera vespasianes xanisa, Tb., 1958. 26. xaxutaiSvili d. ufliscixe I. Tb., 1964. 27. Анчабадзе Г. Источниковедческие пробл. военной ист. Грузии, Тб., 1990. 28. Военная археология, (ред. В. Массон), С.-Петербург, 1998. 29. Гамкрелидзе Г. К изучению…, Сообщение А.н.Грузии, 1977,№2, с.501-514. 30. Гамкрелидзе Г. К археологии долины Фасиса, Тб., 1992. 31. Джандиери М. Деревянное здание Vв.до н.э. на Ванском г. Сб.,Местное полит. объеденения Причерноморья в VII-IVвв. до н.э., Тб., 1988, с.234-245. 32. Лордкипанидзе Г. Наконечник тарана из Вани. Сов. археология № 4. 1969. 33. Лордкипанидзе Г., Фортификация Ванского г., Тр. ТГУ, 1978, № 183. 34. Мусхелишвили Д. Некоторые…, Известия АНГ, Тб., 1986, № 3: с, 57-70. 35. Шамба Г. Эшерское городища, Тб., 1980. 36. Bottini F., Egg M., Hase F., Pelug H., Schaaff V., Schauer P., Waurick G. Antike Helme, Verlag des Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums, Mainz, 1988. 37. Gamkrelidze G. COLCHIS..., published by Logos, Tbilisi, 2002. 38. Latyshev B. Scythica et Caucasica, II, St.-Petersbourg, 1904-1906. 39. Watson G. The Roman Soldier, published by Thames and Hudson, 1969.


    Article: Gela Gamkrelidze. ABOUT THE MILITARY- POLITICAL SITUATION IN IBERIA-COLCHIS (GEORGIA) IN THE 4th c. BC–2nd c. AD. (Written Sources and archaeological evidence). Edited by David Braund prof. of university of Exeter (UK). Tb. 2012, pp. 118-138.

    Description of Plates:
    I. The disposition of archaeological monumemnts on the territory of Georgia.
    II. 1. Decoration of helmet on rhyton from Gomi ( Oni distr. ). 2.Helmet Representation of warrior from Datvani ( Tsageri distr.). 3. Helmet - the so-called Chalcidice type one from T. Lanchkhuti. 4. Bronze plate cover of shield from Kamarakhevi(Mtsketa distr.). 5. Bronze plate cover of shield from Eshera. 6. Semisphere umbones of shield (according to archaelogical evidence). 7. Bronze cnemide from Akhul-Aaba ( Abkhazeti ).
    III. 1. Iron and bronze plates of chain-mail from Vani (according to archaelogical evidence). 2. Coat-of-arms; reconstruction. 3. Bronze model of war chariot from Gokhebi ( Dedoflistsqaro distr. ); 6th-4th cc. BC.
    IV. 1.Two-blade daggers(according to archaelogical evidence).2. Iron battle-axe (according to archaelogical evidence).
    V. 1. Arrowheads (according to archaelogical evidence). 2. The sling. 3. Spear types (according to archaelogical evidence). 4. Ram from ancient city Vani. 5. Stone cannon-balls from Catapult of different calibres from ancient city Vani.
    VI. The portraits of the representatives of the military aristocracy of ancient Georgia, from the 1st-2nd cc AD archaelogical evidence.
    VII. 1. The battle scenes in rhyton from Gomi(Oni distr.); the 1rd c. BC. 2. The representation of warrior with armour, sword and helmet from Datvani (Tsageri distr.); the 5th -4th c. BC., (according to archaelogical evidence)

    Pl. No. I.



    Pl. No. II.



    Pl. No. III.



    Pl. No. IV.



    Pl. No. V.



    Pl. No. VI.



    Pl. No. VII.




    I will post more later
    Last edited by JERUSALEM; December 06, 2014 at 06:23 AM.
    Through your intercession I hope to see the light of Thy son and the light of everlasting ages !

  7. #7

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Now about the names and rulers of Kingdom of Kartli in 4th to 6th cc AD (this is a period which is near to Attila TW time-frame)

    Mirian III the Righteous (c. 296-337) was the first Christian king of Kartli. According the Life of Kartli (Kartlis Tskhovreba), which is the Royal Annals of the Kings of Kartli
    Mirian founded the new dynasty in Kartli - Khosrovids (Sassanids). He was reckoned as the son of the first Sassanid Shah of Persia Ardashir I (226-240), but according
    to an other Georgian source "Conversion of Kartli" Mirian was the son of King Lev, who is the local Pharnavazid king of Iberia/Kartli. More probably Mirian was the local
    Georgian, Pharnavazid king with the mixed (Georgian/Kartlian and Persian/Iranian) ancestry.
    here is the info from wiki about King Mirian III of Kartli

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirian_III_of_Iberia

    Now, about two royal branches (lines) that he had founded - king Mirian III as far as we know from the Royal Annals had two sons: Bakur and Rev. Both of them established
    their own branch with a lot of successors bidding for the royal power in Iberia/Kartli. They are called: Bakuriani (Bakurids) and Riviani (Revids). Bakur was the eldest and the young brother
    was Rev.

    History of Bakur's (Bakar according to Gerogian Royal Annals/Live of Kartli, but the old form of his name is preserved in Conversion of Kartli, which name him as BAKUR. Bakar is later adoption) branch according to
    Gerogian Royal Annals/Live of Kartli:

    King Bakar (Bakur) son of Mirian III.

    "The twenty-fifth King – Bakar, son of Mirian, Khosrovid
    Bakar, his son, became the King; he was a believer like his father. He converted most of the Caucasian tribes, which his father had failed to convert. And there arose enmity between him and the
    Armenians, for the Armenians wanted to set on the throne of Kartli, Bakar’s nephew, Rev’s son, the son of the daughter of Trdat’, the King of the Armenians. Bakar arranged things with the King of the
    Persians, his cousin, and entered into relations with him; he exchanged teritories with his brotherin-law Peroz, whom Mirian had granted Ran down to Barda, giving him instead the country beyond
    Samshvilde down to the beginning of Abotsi. Then Peroz and his people received the baptism. After that they joined the forces from Khuasro and gave battle to the Armenians in Javakheti. They
    defeated them and put the Armenians to flight. Then King Bakar with the mediation of the King of the Greeks and the King of the Persians wrote a note on behalf of his nephews and their mother
    Salome, asserting that while there are descendants of Bakar able to reign, they will control the kingdom, not the descendants of Rev who will never claim the throne.
    Bakar brought his nephews to him and gave them K’ukheti; one of them he assigned to be an erismtavari in Rustavi. Bakar spent his lifetime following the faith; he increased the number of priests
    and deacons to serve in Kartli and Rani, and built a church in Ts’ilk’ani. He was buried beside his brother" (Kartlis Tskhovreba: A History of Georgia. Chief Ed. Acad. Roin Metreveli and Prof.Stephan Jones. Artanuji publishers. Tbilisi, 2014, p. 68).

    King Mirdat son of King Bakur/Bakar

    "The Twenty-sixth King – Mirdat’, Son of Bakar, Khosrovid
    His son Mirdat’ ascended the throne and he reigned, also abiding by the great faith. He built a church in the fortress of Tukharisi, for there was no church in the ravine of K’larjeti, and assigned
    the priests as shepherds of the K’larjis. He added decorations and construction to the churches of Erusheti and Ts’unda. At the time of Mirdat’s reign, the Georgians began to make crosses from parts
    of the life-giving wood, because great wonders occurred wherever these parts of the life-giving pillars had been placed. King Mirdat’ did not forbid the removal of these parts, because Bishop Jacob also
    gave his consent: “It is granted by God, and from the pillar erected by God the image of the cross can be made.” And so the parts of the life-giving pillar were spread all over Kartli. Then king Mirdat
    made a large cross from the pillar, and around what was left of the pillar, erected a stone wall with the use of mortar, of the size equal to the initial height of the pillar, and on the top of it, he erected
    the life-giving cross. And all his days he spent without trouble, abiding in great faith. Bishop Jacob died and was replaced by Job, an Armenian, a deacon of Katholicos Nerse" (Kartlis Tskhovreba: A History of Georgia. Chief Ed. Acad. Roin Metreveli and Prof.Stephan Jones. Artanuji publishers. Tbilisi, 2014, p. 68).

    King Varaz-Bakar (Varaz-Bakur) son of Mirdat king of Kartli

    "The Twenty-seventh king – Varaz-Bakar,41 Son of Mirdat’, Khosrovid
    After Mirdat’, his son, Varaz-Bakar, became King. He took two wives: one – the daughter of Trdat’, Rev’s son and Mirian’s grandson, and the second – daughter of Peroz, son of Mirian’s
    daughter. Rev’s granddaughter gave birth to two sons, whose names were Mirdat’ and Trdat’, and Peroz’s granddaughter – to one son, whom they named Parsman.
    King Varaz-Bakar was an unbeliever and an enemy of the faith, but he did not dare to disclose to the people around him his hatred of the faith, for Kartli was converted and the aznauris and
    the entire people abided by the great faith. Out of fear Varaz-Bakar did not dare to declare his abandonment of the faith. He did not build churches and added nothing to the ones already built. He
    behaved like an unbeliever in everything. At this time the King of the Persians sent a commander with a great army to bring the Armenians and Georgians under tribute. The Armenians sent an envoy to Varaz-Bakar and proposed an alliance, to join with the Greek forces, and open the gates of Caucasia to bring in the Ovses and Lek’is, and thus offer resistance to the Persians. His nobles also advised him to resist the Persians. But he did not listen to the words of the Armenians, or to his nobles, for he was timorous and a coward. He established himself in the ravines of K’akheti, built a fortress in Khidari, reinforced the townfortresses and ordered everybody to hide their crosses. The Persians set out first for Armenia, devastated it and then entered Kartli. The Persian
    commanders built a fortress between the gates of Tpilisi, intending to seize Mtskheta. Then Varaz-Bakar implored them, asking for peace, but the commander said to him: “Give me Ran and Movak’an,
    for they are parts of the Persian domains and belong to those who are the true descendants of the Kings of the Persians and are sitting on the thrones of their fathers. For you, who are born of
    a concubine, Kartli is enough. Let Kartli remain in your possession and pay tribute to the Kings Khosrovids.” Terrified, Varaz-Bakar could not answer; he gave him Ran and Movak’an and promised to pay tribute, and the Persian commander handed him the fortress of Tpilisi and left. After that the Georgians and Armenians became tributaries of the Persians. The K’larjis broke off with Varaz-Bakar and joined the Greeks. The Greeks conquered Tukharisi and the entire territory of K’larjeti from the sea and up to Arsiani, and so only Kartli remained – without K’larjeti – in Varaz-Bakar’s possession, as well as Hereti and Egrisi. The commander of the Persians took prisoner Peroz’s sons, the grandchildren of Mirian, the believing King. Varaz-Bakar died, leaving behind him small children who were unable to reign" (Kartlis Tskhovreba: A History of Georgia. Chief Ed. Acad. Roin Metreveli and Prof.Stephan Jones. Artanuji publishers. Tbilisi, 2014, p. 69).

    King Trdat, son of Rev son of Mirian III

    "The Twenty-eighth King – Trdat’, Varaz-Bakar’s father-in-law, Khosrovid
    The nobles of Kartli, consulting among themselves made Varaz-Bakar’s father-in-law, Rev’s son and Mirian’s grandson, an old man by name of Trdat’, the King. They gave him his grandchildren,
    sons of Varaz-Bakar to bring up. The third son of Varaz-Bakar, Parsman by name, was brought up by the eristavi of Samshvilde. And this old man reigned happily. He believed in God and was a wise and
    reasonable man. With the help of his wisdom he pacified the Persians, he brought out the crosses and decorated the churches. At his time Bishop Job died, and he assigned Elias in his place. Trdat
    paid tribute to the King of the Persians. He seized Rustavi and built a church in Nek’resi. He reigned knowing no troubles and died in great faith" (Kartlis Tskhovreba: A History of Georgia. Chief Ed. Acad. Roin Metreveli and Prof.Stephan Jones. Artanuji publishers. Tbilisi, 2014, p. 70).

    After the death of Trdat (394) his son Bakur/Bakar acsendes in the royal throne of Kartli, but the eldest son of Varaz-Bakur, Parsman (Pharsman) takes advantage over him and by the assistance of the Huns captures the throne of Kartli and starts the fight against the Eastern Romans with help of the Huns. Here is the info about his ascendance in the throne and about his fight against the Eastern Roman Empire.


    The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire: Volume 2, AD 395-527. Ed. by J. R. Martindale. Cambridge University Press, 1980, p. 872

    White Huns referred in Vita Petrus Iberi are the Hun living in the North Caucasus in 395. According to Vita Petrus Iberi with the support of the Huns king Parsman subjugated the lands of the Romans (e.i. ERE),
    under the Arcadius (395-408). But according to the Georgian Royal Annals he was in good terms with Romans, but this is a hint of his previous good relationship with Romans, while he lived in
    Constantinople during the Emperor Theodosius and in the beginning of the reign of Arcadius.

    King Parsman (Pharsman) son of king Varaz-Bakur from Bakuriani branch of Pharnavazid dynasty (refereed as Khosrovids in Georgian Royal Annals)
    "The Twenty-ninth King – Parsman, Son of Varaz-Bakar, Khosrovid
    Varaz-Bakar’s son and Peroz’s grandson, Parsman by name, became King, because he was the elder among his brothers. Bishop Elias died and Simon took his place. Parsman believed in God
    and was a brave man. He carried on negotiations with the King of the Greeks and asked him for his aid. The Caesar complied with his request. Then he broke off with the Persians, refused to pay
    them tribute, increased the number of crosses, renewed churches all over Kartli and built a church in Bolnisi. But his reign was short" (Kartlis Tskhovreba: A History of Georgia. Chief Ed. Acad. Roin Metreveli and Prof.Stephan Jones. Artanuji publishers. Tbilisi, 2014, p. 70).

    Later his policy was continued by his brother and successor Mirdat son of Varaz-Bakur and his fought both the Eastern Romans and Sassanid Persians for the independence in Caucasus. See the reference
    by the Georgian Royal Annals:

    "The Thirtieth King – Mirdat’, King Parsman’s Brother, Khosrovid
    His brother Mirdat’ became King. He was Trdat’s grandson, son of Varaz-Bakar, Bakarid on his father’s side and Revid – on his mother’s, descendant of both of Mirian’s sons. Mirdat’’ was a brave
    man and a fearless soldier, but an unbeliever and impious, carefree and arrogant. Relying on his military valor, he did not serve God, did not build churches and added nothing to those already built.
    Due to his lack of concern, he became an enemy of the Greeks and the Persians. He demanded the lands of Kartli – K’larjeti from the Greeks – and refused to pay tribute to the Persians. Then the King
    of the Persians sent against Mirdat’ his commander Usharab by name, with an army. Mirdat’, again, due to his nonchalance, ignored the numerical superiority of the Persians, met them with a small
    army at Gardabani and joined battle. The Persians put the Georgians to flight and captured Mirdat’. The Persians conquered Kartli and desecrated the churches. And the King’s relatives remained in
    the ravine of K’akheti, and Bishop Simon with them. And they took Mirdat’ to Baghdad, where he died" (Kartlis Tskhovreba: A History of Georgia. Chief Ed. Acad. Roin Metreveli and Prof.Stephan Jones. Artanuji publishers. Tbilisi, 2014, p. 70).

    Mirdat was captured in 421 and was sent to Ctesiphon (Baghdad according to Georgian Royal Annals, which is edited later, that is why Baghdad appears instead of Ctesiphon/Babylon).

    Hence, After the King Mirian III we have two major branches of the Royal Dynasty in Kartli:

    1. Bakuriani/Bakurids

    King Bakur (or Bakar);
    King Mirdat son of Bakur;
    King Varaz-Bakur (or Varaz-Bakar) son of Mirdat;
    King Parsman (or Pharsman) son of Varaz-Bakur;
    King Mirdat second son of Varaz-Bakur;
    Trdat third son of Varaz-Bakur (never was the king of Kartli/Iberia);
    King Archil (or Archilles) son of Trdat;
    King Mirdat son of Archil (or Archilles);
    King Vakhtang I Gorgasali (449-502) son of Mirdat, who is the most important and the most famous leader of Georgian in fight against the Sassanids.
    King Vakhtang had three sons: Kind Dachi (successor of king Vakhtang I Gorgasali), Leon (died without heir), Mirdat (founded Upper (Zemo) Kartli branch of Pharnavazid dynasty ruling in southwest of Kartli).
    King Bakur son of Dachi
    King Parsman son of Bakur
    King Parsman the Other nephew of Bakur
    King Bakur son of Parsman the Other, here during the reign of King Bakur Sassanids abolished the kingsjip in Kartli and conquered in in the middle of the 6th century, approx. in 550s.
    King Gurgen son of Mirdat son of Vakhtang I Gorgasali, ruler of Upper (Zemo) Kartli was forced to abdicate in 527 after the Persian invasion.
    King Zamarnases son of Mirdat son of Vakhtang I Gorgasali (or son of Gurgen, not very clear from Byzantine sources), ruler of Upper (Zemo) Kartli from 527 to 535 and after.
    Peran (Peranius) son or the brother of King Gurgen fled to the Eastern Roman Empire in 527 with his father, King Gurgen
    Bakur (Pakurius/Pacurius) son of Peran, also fled from Kartli to the Eastern Roman Empire in 527 with his grandfather King Gurgen.
    Phazas/Pharnavaz (or Pha[rnava]z) probably son of Zamarnases also living in ERE after the downfall of Kartli/Iberian kingdom.


    These are the list of Bakurid/Bakuriani line of Pharnavazid dynasty, or the offsprings of the Eldest son of Mirian III (c.296-337). Now the list of the King and princes of Reviani line/branch of
    Pharnavazid dynsty. These are the Zamarnases of Rev son of Mirian III king of Iberia/Kartli:

    Rev son of Mirian, prince of Ujarma (Kukheti region)
    King Tradat son of Rev
    King Bakur son of Trdat, he was very famous in Roman Empire under the Emperor Theodosius I (379-395), but was forced to leave the Roman Empire after the death of his father Tradat in 394
    and briefly ruled Kartli from 394 to 395 (see the info about him below).
    King Archil (or Archilles) son of Trdat and young brother of Bakur, who was so pious that died virgin according to Vita of Petrus Iberi. He was king of Iberia alongside with Mirdat son of Varaz -Bakur
    Prince Mirian successor of Rev (father is unknown, but he was offspring of Rev) - King Vakhtang I Gorgasali left him as a heir of Kartli kingdom in case he would not return from Indian campaign (c. 464-71)

    under the commend of Iranian (Sassanid) shah "He left his mother Sagdukht’ and his sister Khuarandze to govern the kingdom in his absence and wrote for them his will: “If I do not return alive, let my sister Khuarandze marry Mirian – who is the son of Mirian of the Rev family, the son-in-law of the Armenian king Trdat’ and Vakht’ang’s cousin on his father’s side – let him be the King.” Writing this, he handed the letter to his mother saying nothing to anybody, and he left his cousin Mirian in Mtskheta" (Kartlis Tskhovreba: A History of Georgia. Chief Ed. Acad. Roin Metreveli and Prof.Stephan Jones. Artanuji publishers. Tbilisi, 2014, p. 82).

    No other member are know from this branch of Pharnavazid dynasty, but only the claims are made by feudal families to be the offspring from Reviani branch of Pharnavazid dynasty.

    Here is the info about Bakur son of Trdat son of Mirian III (Reviani) from PLRE, vol 1, p. 144



    The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire: Volume 1, AD 260-395. Ed. by J. R. Martindale. Cambridge University Press, 1971, p. 144.

    Now here the information about the most prominent King of Kartli Kingdom - Vakhang I Gorgasali

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vakhtang_I_of_Iberia

    I will post more about Vakhtang I Gorgasali later. Hope this info was good enough for this moment.

    IN ADDITION: here is the map of Georgia during the rule of Vakhtang I Gorgasali (449-502), second half of 5th century AD.



    Here you can see the Capitals of both countries:
    1. Mtskheta - capital of Kartli/Iberia;
    2. Archaeopolis - capital of Lazika/Egrisi

    Also the borders from AD 3rd to 5th cc.



    Visit you soon guys
    Last edited by JERUSALEM; December 30, 2014 at 09:01 AM.
    Through your intercession I hope to see the light of Thy son and the light of everlasting ages !

  8. #8
    SeniorBatavianHorse's Avatar Tribunus Vacans
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    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Amazing work and thank you again for sharing - I have booked marked this post for my own reference.

  9. #9
    Magister Militum Flavius Aetius's Avatar δούξ θρᾳκήσιου
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    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Although some of this equipment is far to early for the time period of Total War: Attila, I can actually match some of it to extant Hunnic examples from the Caspian Sea region.

  10. #10

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    I was interested to see Kartli on the map in one of the vids. Are they different cultural wise or would they be considered an eastern empire/kingdom? Also what kind of infantry could they have? Still similar to Rome 2's Kartli Axemen, etc?

  11. #11
    dogukan's Avatar Praeses
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    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    can we get much from this information regarding the origins of Laz people?
    There are very few Laz who speak the language and are aware of their historical context(my father's mothers side have no idea what a Laz is despite the language they speak).

    I reckon "lazica" has something to do with Laz
    "Therefore I am not in favour of raising any dogmatic banner. On the contrary, we must try to help the dogmatists to clarify their propositions for themselves. Thus, communism, in particular, is a dogmatic abstraction; in which connection, however, I am not thinking of some imaginary and possible communism, but actually existing communism as taught by Cabet, Dézamy, Weitling, etc. This communism is itself only a special expression of the humanistic principle, an expression which is still infected by its antithesis – the private system. Hence the abolition of private property and communism are by no means identical, and it is not accidental but inevitable that communism has seen other socialist doctrines – such as those of Fourier, Proudhon, etc. – arising to confront it because it is itself only a special, one-sided realisation of the socialist principle."
    Marx to A.Ruge

  12. #12

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Quote Originally Posted by dogukan View Post
    can we get much from this information regarding the origins of Laz people?
    There are very few Laz who speak the language and are aware of their historical context(my father's mothers side have no idea what a Laz is despite the language they speak).

    I reckon "lazica" has something to do with Laz

    The name Lazica was the name given to the region of Colchis by the Roman Empire. My guess is that the named it after the native people.

  13. #13

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Quote Originally Posted by SeniorBatavianHorse View Post
    Amazing work and thank you again for sharing - I have booked marked this post for my own reference.
    Thank you very much, it encourages me to continue posting about this issue in father details.


    Quote Originally Posted by Magister Militum Flavius Aetius View Post
    Although some of this equipment is far to early for the time period of Total War: Attila, I can actually match some of it to extant Hunnic examples from the Caspian Sea region.
    You will find more similarities in farther examples that I am going to post now, at least, I hope so. Yes, some artifacts are of early period (from 1st AD to 3th AD) and some that i will post farther are dated in later period (from 6th to 8th cc. AD), but most of them were to be used in 4th and 5th cc. as well.

    Quote Originally Posted by Sebor View Post
    I was interested to see Kartli on the map in one of the vids. Are they different cultural wise or would they be considered an eastern empire/kingdom? Also what kind of infantry could they have? Still similar to Rome 2's Kartli Axemen, etc?

    You can see it on the video that youtubers posted about Attila TW, but not as a playable faction indeed,

    Culturally it is Eastern kingdom as you wrote, but differs from the Sassanid Empire very much, as it has a lot from Greaco-Roman influence and from the Sarmatian influence as well, also local Caucasian tradition were very strong. So, culturally Kartli is the mixture of local, Caucasian traditions with Roman and Persian cultural influence. Nomadic played no importance, they have influenced mostly the military tactics of Kingdom of Kartli, especially Sarmatians, later the Huns as well.

    They used all kind of infantry, but the most important were the spearmen of course, just as in other neighbor countries. Axmen were used mostly in Colchis, he Colchian axis were very popular in the Black Sea region, and I do not get point why CA used Kartli Axmen instead of Colchian Axmen, the examples of Colchian axes are quite numerous even on the web. From the infantry the mountaineers were very good fighters, but not very good equipped.


    Quote Originally Posted by dogukan View Post
    can we get much from this information regarding the origins of Laz people?
    There are very few Laz who speak the language and are aware of their historical context(my father's mothers side have no idea what a Laz is despite the language they speak).

    I reckon "lazica" has something to do with Laz
    Laz how live in Turkey are so-called Georgian speaking people. Georgian language group is divided into three languages: 1. Kartlvelian; 2. Laz-Mengrelian; 3. Svanian. All these languages are Georgian
    languages (They have the same roots), and modern Laz people speak in one of this languages (2. Laz-Mengrelian). And the Lazica which occupied the Colchis, or Western Georgia were the ancestors of the Laz people that live now in Turkey. Ancient Lazi lived in Trenzond region and in Western Georgia. And after the collapse of Colchian Kingdom took advantage over the other tribes living in Western Georgia, formed new dynasty and the new State of Egrisi, internationally known as Lazica/Lazika. That is all.
    Through your intercession I hope to see the light of Thy son and the light of everlasting ages !

  14. #14

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Now let me post about the Great king of Kartli - Vakhtang I Gorgasali (born in 442, and ruled from 449 to 502)

    Here is the link from wiki about Vakhtang I Gorgasali (449-502)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vakhtang_I_of_Iberia

    I am not going to post and discuss the issues that are written in wiki page, this you can read by yourself, and wiki page is really contains good, but very short story of King Vakhtang. Here, I will provide the historical source - "Live of Vakhtang Gorgasali" written in 8th century by Juansher Juansheriani (Some other historians try to date this work from 6th to 11th cc. So, there is no single opinion about the date of composition of this historical work as well as about the author of this work. But later opinions are suggesting that the Juansher Juansheriani, who is name as an author of this book and lived during the King Archil (mid of the 8th c.) and was king's loyal governor/Eristavi was really the author of this historical work) as well as its interpretation, which is more important as i guess. Just because it is not easy to understand everything that is written there.


    "When he reached fifteen [15 year-old person was reckoned to be mature in Kartli. The game, ATTILA TW as well as BI, has 16], Vakht’ang summoned all the noble Kartlians and gathered them all in the city. He prepared a room, and set himself on a high throne. On the throne he also set sp’asp’et’ (Spaspet, or Persian Spahrabet, was the commander-of-chief of the armed forces of Kartli) Juansher and two bishops (two chief bishops of Kartli: one was Zoroastrian bishop and another one was Christian bishop of Kartli. That means that both religion Zoroastrism and Christianity were official religions of Kartli in 442+15= 457 AD); all the other eristavis (ERISTAVI was the governor of the province of Kartli Kingdom. There were 8 ERISTAVIS in Kartli, but king Vakhtang I Gorgasali increased there number to 10) were sitting in their seats, and the commanders of thousands (ERISTAVI was reckoned to be in charge of 10 000 warriors, and the commander of 1000 was in charge of one thousand. This do not mean that army of the Kingdom of Kartli was composed of several ten thousand warriors, but the sources always are kin to exaggerate the numbers, which is normal for the middle ages) and hundreds of battalions, as well as other warriors stood at attention. The King began in a loud voice like a wise old man brought up among philosophers: “Our Kings suffered trials and tribulations37 and they were sent to people by God for their sins. When believers fail in their devotion to God and ignore His precepts, God sends tribulations to such people to admonish them; the father-King lovingly educates his son, edifying him for the performance of good
    deeds. But if the son is negligent in following his father’s teaching, the father punishes him, beating him and instructing him, in order to teach him all the good things and make him well behaved. So the Lord – the creator of the Sky and the Earth – teaches us. That is why we must thank Him for his mercy.” Everybody thanked the Lord
    .

    Vakh'tang continued his speech before the nobles of Kartli: “Now, listen to my word! I am young and you have not seen any good from me yet, but my ancestors granted you great favors, so that you could continue to rule. But if the Lord grants us good fortune, I will give you such goods and nobility that you have never seen before among your ancestors. Imagine our common trial – from which we all suffer –as if it was only mine. But if someone takes this burden on himself, I will not suspect in the depths of my heart that he does so just out of vengeance, but will accept it as a service to me, and will repay him with good things. I cannot stand any more the Ossetians’ (Alans and Aorsi/Osi/Ossetians are the people living in the North of Kingdom of Kartli, and they were name as OSI, or Ossetians in Georgian sources) mockery. I am setting my hopes upon the consubstantial Trinity, which gave birth to the infinity of God. Led by His cross, which He provides as a guide and weapon to those who keep it in their hearts, we are going to have revenge on the Ossetians (Alans and Aorsi have pillaged the Kartli, Arran and Armenia as well as provinces of Sassanid Persia and ERE in the 40s of 5th century). If these misfortunes had fallen on us on account of the King of Persia (Sassanid Shah, ruler of Persia in general) or the King of Greece (Emperor of Byzatium was named in Georgian sources as a King of Greece), we would have endured them. But we cannot suffer oppression by the Ossetians, it would be better to die then to bear it.” Then sp’asp’et’ Juansher stood up and said: “Be blessed, King, for ever and ever in your greatness and in the fulfillment of your will upon your enemy! You speak the truth: these calamities befell us because of our sins, and the Lord judges us justly, for we have multiplied our sins against Him. And we should thank God, because we deserved greater sufferings than those that fell to our lot. But the merciful Lord sent us ordeals incommensurable with our sins, edifying us through such insignificant trials. So we, the true Kartlians, have to thank the Lord greatly. For He sent you to us as our leader, the best among all the Georgian kings, you, who surpass your ancestors, and are perfectly in everything like Nebrot the giant (NEBROT or NIMRUD was reckoned as one of the ancestor of the Royal dynasty of Kartli. So king VAKHTANG is presented as equal to NIMRUD). God charged you with the task of dispersing our troubles – old as well as recent ones. And while our sins may not allow it, we expect from you the ending of all our misfortunes and the achievement of more successes within the bounds of our country than ever before, for not one of our forefathers is equal to you. Be blessed, Our King, for all eternity! From the time when the Ossetians invaded us, we have lived in great grief; for you were young and unable to fight, lead the army and put things in order in your kingdom. Now, Our King, you are vested with wisdom and strength, courage and stature, though you are not yet of the age for performing feats of arms. But I see your wisdom: and young though you are, you are able to rule the kingdom although the time of your military feats and your leadership of the army has not yet arrived. Such is my opinion: according to your understanding and following your mother’s advice, choose one of us to command the army and entrust us to him, whom we will obey like your father; and with the power of the Trinity, and our consubstantial God, we will reek revenge. You, meanwhile, remain in your house and rule the kingdom. If we are defeated by the Ossetians, because of our sinfulness, your kingdom will not suffer. But if you fall on the battlefield due to our sins, the whole country will be defeated, for nobody can replace you.” So said sp’asp’et’ Juansher and all the nobles and eristavis supported him." (Kartlis Tskhovreba: A History of Georgia. Chief Ed. Acad. Roin Metreveli and Prof.Stephan Jones. Artanuji publishers. Tbilisi, 2014, p. 80-81).

    HERE as you can see the NOBILITY of the Kingdom of Kartli accepted the offer of the King Vakhtang to conduct the military operation in the OSSETIA, which is in North Caucasus. And now let see how this military campaign go on according to "Live of Vakhtang Gorgasali".

    "and King Vakht’ang sent an envoy to his uncle Varaz-Bakar, the eristavi of Rani (MARZBAN of Arran, was the Persian governor appointed by Sassanid Shah in Partav,modern Barda in Azerbaijan to control the Northern territories of Sassanid Persia), to inform him of the campaign in Ossetia and asked for help. Varaz-Bakar responded gladly, for his country had also been ravaged by the Ossetians. Vakht’ang summoned the whole army of Kartli. They all gathered and set up camps in Mukhrani and Kherk’I (These are the places near the MTSKHETA, capital of Kingdom of Kartli); along the banks of the Aragvi (river that joins KURA near the Mtskheta), there were one hundred thousand horsemen and sixty thousand infantry; and Varaz-Bakar sent twelve thousand horsemen (Common in the early cycle of KT is the fantastic exaggeration of the number of troops of the armies on both sides; it is not just a peculiarity of Juansher’s epic manner. There were several other reasons for such an overstatement; the main one was related to the fact that taking spoils and rewards in men was one of the main sources of obtaining forced labor. ALSO, THIS SHOW THE RATION: CAVALRY WAS USED IN MUCH NUMEROUS SCALE RATHER THE INFANTRY). King Vakht’ang set out from Mtskheta, replenished his army and advanced. He rejoiced seeing the number, and at the excitement of his well-supplied cavalry, at the cheerfulness of his people, happy to take revenge upon the Ossetians. He was filled with joy and sent thanks to God. He returned to the town44 and spent a week in prayers and night vigils, lavishly handing out riches to paupers. He left his mother Sagdukht’ (Persian queen, mother of VAkhtang, was a daughter of BARZABOD, father of VARAZ-BAKAR, MARZBAN OF ARRAN) and his sister Khuarandze to govern the kingdom in his absence and wrote for them his will: “If I do not return alive, let my sister Khuarandze marry Mirian – who is the son of Mirian of the Rev family, the son-in-law of the Armenian king Trdat’ (Armenian King Trdat III 298-330 was the ancestor from mother side to Mirian Reviani) and Vakht’ang’s cousin on his father’s side – let him be the King (HENCE HE APPOINTED THE HEIR OF THE KINGDOM of KARTLI).” Writing this, he handed the letter to his mother saying nothing to anybody, and he left his cousin Mirian in Mtskheta (capital of Kingdom of Karli)." Vakht’ang advanced and placed his troops in Tianeti.46 There he was joined by all the kings of the Caucasians (THESE ARE ACTUALLY THE WARLORDS OF NORTH CAUCASUS, TRIBUTARY CHIEFS OF KARTLI VERY OFTEN SUPPRESSED BY ALANS AND AORSI, AND OTHER NOMADIC PEOPLE) – fifty thousand horsemen (Still showing the priority of CAVALRY OVER THE INFANTRY). With the name of God on his lips, he passed the Darialan Gates (DARIALAN, or THE ALAN PASS, WAS THE FORTRESS IN THE MIDDLE OF CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS, WHICH LEADS FROM SOUTH TO NORTH). On entering Ossetia, Vakht’ang was sixteen years old (458 AD). Now the Ossetian kings gathered their men; they summoned some forces from Khazaria (KHAZARIA IN 8th century was dominant power in NORTH CAUCASUS, but in 5th century KHAZAR LANDS were dominated By the HUNS, hence while speaking about the KHAZARS historian MEANS THE HUNS) and met the Georgians by the river which runs through Darialan and into the Ossetian Valley (PLAINS OF NORTH CAUCASUS). This river is also called the Aragvi, because the Aragvi of Kartli and the Aragvi of Ossetia (TERGI RIVER IN modern RUSSIA) originate from the same mountain (CAUCASIAN MOUNTAIN). Both armies set up their camps on the opposite sides of the river, the steep and rocky banks of which were covered with meagre forest, and criss-crossed by valleys. They reinforced their positions and closed the passes, and so stood for seven days. Only the bumberazis (GIANTS in Georgian) were combating with each other at this time. There was a goliath (ALSO MEANS THE GIANT FIGHTER) among the Khazars (HUNS), who were the Ossetians’ allies; his name was Tarkhan. Tarkhan came forward and called out loudly: “I am challenging every one of Vakht’ang’s men, any who is powerful enough to fight with me (Kartlis Tskhovreba: A History of Georgia. Chief Ed. Acad. Roin Metreveli and Prof.Stephan Jones. Artanuji publishers. Tbilisi, 2014, p. 82-83).” (HERE, VERY IMPORTANT IS TO SEE WHICH POSITION ARE PICKED BY THE BOTH ARMIES TO START the ENGAGEMENT - IT is, BANK OF RIVER, as the river always serves as a natural border before the FIELD BATTLE).

    After that, the story is told about the personal fights before the start of the field battle and King Vakhtang kills two most important warriors from Alan-Ossetians and Huns in the personal engagements. After Vakhtang killed the last giant from the Alan-Hunnic army, the Georgians pressed the attack and here you can see how the charge is described by the author:

    The troops (Georgians, the army of Kingdom of Kartli) advanced ready to fight: heavily armed cavalrymen dressed in armor with metal helmets were in the front, after them came the infantry, and after the infantry, more cavalry (presumably light cavalry). They attacked the Ossetians. The Ossetians took to the tops of the rocky mountains and rained down arrows on their heads like rain. Vakht’ang with some chosen horsemen was in the rear of his army, reinforcing it and encouraging the soldiers. Heavily armed cavalrymen navigated the rocky trail and entered the valley. After them came infantry and more horsemen. A fierce battle took place. Vakht’ang’s assaults on the right shook the enemy on the left, and his attacks to the left shook it on the right. In the mêlée of fighting armies, Vakht’ang’s cry was heard like a lion’s roar. Two horsemen accompanied Vakht’ang in the battle: his foster brother Art’avaz (One of the officers of king Vakhtang and ERISTAV OF one of the provinces of KARTLI), sp’asp’et’ Saurmag’s son, and prince Bivrit’ian (also one of the officers of king Vakhtang and ERISTAV OF one of the provinces of KARTLI, from the royal dynasty of KARTLI). They also fought bravely. They overpowered the Ossetians and put their camp to flight. They destroyed them and took them prisoner. They caught most of the fleeing Ossetians to exchange them for Georgians captured before in another battle. Returning from the pursuit, they gathered in their camp. Resting for three days and offering thanks to God, they invaded Ossetia, seized the towns, took great spoil and many captives" (Kartlis Tskhovreba: A History of Georgia. Chief Ed. Acad. Roin Metreveli and Prof.Stephan Jones. Artanuji publishers. Tbilisi, 2014, p. 84).

    So, from here it is very easy to recreate the story and the tactic of 5th century field battle in our minds, the example of Kartli is really important as it contains the tactics of Rome, Persia and Sarmatian all merged with local military achievements of Caucasian people, and looking through the source we can see that, in first line Georgians from KARTLI used the heavy cavalry ("heavily armed cavalrymen dressed in armor with metal helmets were in the front"), after the Heavy Cavalry was followed by the infantry ("after them (Heavy cavalry) came the infantry"), that means that infantry was used t hold the whole line not to let enemy rear charges. And the most important after the infantry according to our source again comes the cavalry, so-called "more cavalry" ("and after the infantry, more cavalry") and among them were the Vakhtang and his troops (heavy cavalry) on the rear of the army, this was the king's bodyguards, they placed the king in the rear just for the more safety ("[king] Vakht’ang with some chosen horsemen was in the rear of his army, reinforcing it and encouraging the soldiers"). Also, there is direct passage that clearly outlines the role of heavy cavalry attacking first the enemies - "Heavily armed cavalrymen navigated the rocky trail and entered the valley. After them came infantry and more horsemen. A fierce battle took place. Vakht’ang’s assaults on the right shook the enemy on the left, and his attacks to the left shook it on the right. In the mêlée of fighting armies, Vakht’ang’s cry was heard like a lion’s roar" - in the end even the king personal forces were engaged in battle. The role of the king might be overestimated in the historical records, but this still shows the important of the heavy cavalry in Kartli and as well as in 5th century tactics in total, but legends about the king Vakhtang has a long tradition in Georgian, much of his deeds are recorded in historical sources are valuable.

    This is only small passage from the history of king VAKHTAG I GORGASALI (449-502), his account shows the history of his early deeds in 457-458, after the end of this successful campaign Shah of Persia Hormidz III (457-459) rewarded him a lot and arranged the marriage between his daughter Balendukht and king Vakhtang. Hence Vakhtang I became the close relative of Persian Shah in 459. But in the same year Hormizd was overthrown from the royal throne of Sassanid Empire and new Shah, Peroz (459-484) ascends the throne of Sassanid Persia.
    Last edited by JERUSALEM; January 11, 2015 at 08:16 AM.
    Through your intercession I hope to see the light of Thy son and the light of everlasting ages !

  15. #15

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Now, about the social composition of the Kartli and the Army composition of the Kingdom of Kartli.

    The leader of the Army was the king (mephe in Georgian) who was the supreme commander of the entire army of Kartli.

    The composition of the army and the social groups are as follows:

    1) Sephe-Tsuli - royal-sons is direct English translation of the Georgian term. These Sephe-Tsuli were the members of royal dynasty, Pharnavazids and the relatives of the kings, also
    members of the family closely associated with the king and their household. Most of them served as the heavy cavalry for the royal guard.

    2) Aznauri - Georgian noble living in Kartli. Mostly the cavalry. Heavy and medium Georgian cavalry serving to the king of Kartli.

    see this link

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aznauri

    3) Msakhuri - sevants in English. They served to King, to Sephe-Tsuli (royal-sons) and to Aznauri. Mostly infantry serving in the army of the king.

    4) Peasant - very rarely took part in the battles. They were not the members of the army.

    5) Royal Slaves (Laoi in Greek, royal-slaves in English) - served to the king and Sephe-Tsuli.

    Now about the administration

    1) Head of the government King - Mephe in Georgian

    2) Commander-in-chief of Kartli, second in command after the king in royal Kartli Army - Spaspeti (Sparabet in Persian)

    3) governors of the provinces (Saeristavo, Eristavdom. Sometimes refereed as dukedom, but European dukedom is different) were Eristavi - they also served as a leader of provincial detachments. There were 8 Erisvatis in Kartli in 395. And the number was increased to 10 by king Vakhtang I Gorgasali (449-502).

    see also about the Eristavi

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eristavi

    4) Khevistavi (translated in English as the head of Khevi) the head of the small province (Khevi is small province for 395).

    Now, the depictions of Georgian cavalrymen from 1st to 6th cc. AD.

    1. The depiction of the skirmisher and the horse archer from Dedophlis Gora (the 2nd c. AD)




    2. The depiction of the noble horse archer from Tsebelda (5th or 6th century AD)



    3. Close look at the the noble horse archer from Tsebelda

    Through your intercession I hope to see the light of Thy son and the light of everlasting ages !

  16. #16

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Wold you consider doing historical podcasts?

  17. #17

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Now, let's continue, here is the list of the most important persons from Kartli Kingdom in 4th and 5th centuries.


    List of Kartli kings:



    Mirian III
    Saurmag (Sauromaces according to Roman sources)
    Varaz-Bakur (Aspakures according to Roman sources)
    Mihrdat III
    Aspacures III
    Trdat
    Pharasman IV
    Mihrdat IV
    Archil
    Mihrdat V
    Vakhtang I
    Dachi
    Bakur II
    Pharasman V
    Pharasman VI
    Bakur III



    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...gdom_of_Iberia

    The list from wiki and it is not complete but it is ok anyway.

    The List of the Nobles of Kartli known from different sources on the edge of 4th to 5th centuries:

    Gri-Ormizd

    Arshusha

    Khurenios

    Bardalios

    Katas

    Murgakes

    Mihrdat



    Here is the List of nobles of Kartli during the rule of Vakhtang I (nicknamed as Gorgasali) according to his historian:

    Saurmag

    Juansher

    Artavaz

    Samnaghir

    Nersaran

    Bakur

    Narseh

    Adarnarseh

    Varsqen

    Jojik

    Mirian

    Varaz-Mihr

    Demetre



    Princes of Kartli:

    Sons and of king Vakhtang I (449-502) were: Dachi, Mirhdat and Leon.

    Offspring of Mirhdat son of Vakhtang I were: Gurgen, Peran, Dzamanase, Phaza and Bakur

    Neighbors of Kartli
    Now, here let me write few things about factions like, Abasgia and Lazica, those factions are also Georgian factions located in modern day Georgian territory and in the past were integrated in Kartli, especially in the 5th century, during the rule of Vakhtang I Gorgasali.

    Society (from 8th to 10th cc. and even before, briefly, during the reign of Vakhtang I Gorgasali, the Great king of Kartli), thus forming the bases for the unification of Georgian Kingdom in the beginning of 11th century. But before the 11th century, especially before the 8th century Abasgia and Lazica were separate states, only sometimes united under the authority of one among them or under the authority of Kartli kingdom.

    Also, unification of territories of Abasgia and Lazica has to be very important for the Kartli faction in Attila Total War. But, it is more concern of the devs, so whatever, let's look deep into the past.

    Abasgia - the first of all, I want to write few words faction banner of Abasgia. The banner is visible in CA video, "Rally Point Episode 22 - ROME II Halloween Update", see: 2:49-2:51 min.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bTJoRml8QY

    here you can see the red banner with depiction of panther, probably, Leopard or Lion. Actually, Georgians used to name ancestors of Abasgians who belonged to Abkhazo-Adigians language group as Jiki (Jyki/Djiqi/Djiki), later Greco-Romans used this denomination and used to refer them as Zygi or Zyxi, which is the transliteration of Georgian Jiki, which mean in Georgian LEOPARD (ჯიქი - leopard),
    that means that the ancient totem of Abasgian and Zyxis was leopard, hence depiction on the banner of Abasgia seems to be accurate from historical point of view. I really do not know whether CA
    used some sources in making the banner of Abasgia or not, maybe it is accidental but it really seems to be accurate for the banner of faction of Abasgia.
    Alongside with Abasgians, Apsils, Zixii (Jiki) and other Abkhazo-Adigian tribes lived. All of them are united in faction of Abasgia in Attila TW and regions of Sebastopolis, province - Sarmatica Asiatica.

    Actually Sebastopolis was the city of Apsils but as Abasgians and Apsils are related with each-other their unification in the game seems to reasonable.

    The Apsils might designate a colchian tribe or probably the Abkhaz living in the North-West of Caucasus and bordering with the Abazgs. Apsilians were also formed out of many tribes, most notably the Trakhea, Tsibil and Tsakhar.[3] For the first time Apsilae are mentioned in the writings of Pliny of the 1st century AD,[1] as well as the Flavius Arrianus in the 2nd century are mentioned as "Αψιλαι". From the second half of the 8th century Apsilae in the documents are not mentioned. Apsilae descended from the coastal part of the ancient tribes Zygii.[4]
    The high development of the local manufacturing of products and tools of metal archeological artifacts is known as Tsebelda culture.

    here few info about the Zixs/Zygs/Jiks
    The Zygii (also known as Ζυγοί, Zygoi, Zygi or Zygians) has been described by the ancient Greek intellectual Strabo as a nation to the north of Colchis.
    Strabo wrote: "And on the sea lies the Asiatic side of the Bosporus, or the Syndic territory. After this latter, one comes to the Achaei and the Zygii and the Heniochi, and also the Cercetae and the Macropogones. And above these are situated the narrow passes of the Phtheirophagi (Phthirophagi); and after the Heniochi the Colchian country, which lies at the foot of the Caucasian, or Moschian, Mountains (Strabo, Geographica 11.2)".
    William Smith observes that "they were partly nomad shepherds, partly brigands and pirates, for which latter vocation they had ships specially adapted".[1] They inhabited the region known as Zyx, which is on the northern slopes of the Caucasus east of Elbrus. To the east were the Avars, and to the west were the Circassians. To the north was Sarmatian territory, and to the south lay the part of Colchis inhabited by the Svans (Soanes of Strabo and Pliny the Elder).
    Zyx in Greek literature referred to people inhabiting the area that is now occupied by the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia-Alania and Checheno-Ingushetia. Confusingly, mediaeval Latin historians re-applied the term to those Circassians who formed a coastal federation in the sixth to eighth centuries A.D. This tribe also features in several ancient and medieval works, notably in Pliny (Zichoi), Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos, medieval Georgian chroniclers (Jikebi), Marco Polo, and Johannes de Galonifontibus, who, in his Libellus de notitia orbis, speaks of "Zikia or Circassia" and their language, perhaps the earliest reference to the Northwest Caucasian languages.


    Now about the history of Abasgia and their rulers. Abasgia was a principality from 1st to 8th century, also in the end of the 8th century it was transformed as a kingdom after unification with Egrisi/Lazica
    during reign of king Leon II (750-798) of Abkhazia.

    The Abasgoi/Abasgians are considered the ancestors of modern Abkhazians and the Georgian ethnonym Georgian: აფხაზი apxazi "Abkhaz" is derived from this name. They are mentioned by Pliny the Elder, Strabo and Arrian; the 6th-century Byzantine historian Procopius wrote that they were warlike, worshiped tree deities and provided eunuchs to Justinian's court, hence before the 550, they had they own rulers and they are pagans not Christians. In 550 Byzantine Emperor Justinian I Great (527-565) conquered the Anasgia and according to Zonaras (11th - 12th cc.) Justinian appointed new archon in Abasgia since
    that time it was ruled by Byzantine archons.

    Here we have few mention of Abasgians in Greek sources. Flavius Arrianus (AD c. 86 – c. 160) calls the Abasgian ruler, king (basileus) and he insists that the King of Abasgians Resmagas (beginning of the 2nd c. AD) received the power from the Emperor Adrian (117-138). In 550 when Justian I the Great conquered Abasgia, the ruler of Abasgia was Ophsites (1st half of 6th c.). Ophsites was forced to flee to Huns and left this homeland. After that Byzantines took control over Abasgia and new Greek/Byzatine (?) dynasty appears.
    The list of the Kings of Abasgia/Abkhazia is listed in "the Divan of Abkhazian Kings" after Anos, list before Anos is preserved in Roman sources.
    The first king is the Anos and the dynasty after him is called as Anosids or Anosiani, more Georgianized form of the dynasty.
    King Resmaga (mid of the 2nd c.)
    King Ophsites (510c.-550) brother of Tzates king of Lazica and the uncle of Gubaz the next king of Lazica
    King Anos (2nd half of 6th c.)
    King Sozar son of Anos (end of the 6th c)
    King Phiniktios son of Sozar (begin.7th c.)
    King Barnuk son of Sergios (mid 7th c.)
    King Sergios son of Barnuk (end of the 7th c.), he is know only by the Byzantine sources. Rebelled against Byzantines and switched his position to Arabs.
    King Dimitri son of Barnuk and brother of Sergios (1st half of 7th c.)
    King Theodosius son of Dimitri (mid of the 7th c.)
    King Constantine son of Theodosius (2nd half of 7th c.)
    King Theodore son of Constantine (edge of the 7th-8th cc.)
    King Leon I brother of Theodore (717-747)
    King Constantine son of Theodore (747-750)
    King Leon II brother of Constantine (750-798)

    After that Abasgia and Egirisi/Lazica were united into one united Kingdom.

    Here is the list of kings of Egrisi/Lazica

    Malaza 110c.-130
    Bakur I c. 130-160
    Mirdat c. 360 – c. 380 (?)
    Varaz-Bakur c. 380 – c. 395 (?)
    Gubazes I, attested c. 456 – 466
    Damnazes, ?–521/522
    Tzathes I, attested 521/522 – 527/528
    Opsites, dates of reign unknown, likely some time before 541
    Gubazes II c. 541 – 555
    Tzathes II, 556–?
    Barnuk I 660 – c. 670
    Grigor 670 – c. 675
    Barnuk II 675–697

    useful links about the Lazica/Egrisi

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazica

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzath_I_of_Lazica

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gubazes_II_of_Lazica

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opsites_of_Lazica

    The most important king of Lazica/Egrisi was Gubaz II (541-555)

    Here is good info about him from the wiki

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gubazes_II_of_Lazica







    .
    Last edited by JERUSALEM; February 04, 2015 at 07:58 AM.
    Through your intercession I hope to see the light of Thy son and the light of everlasting ages !

  18. #18

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    I am very disappointed about the faction Kartli in Attila Total War. This faction has mostly Persian and Armenian units, which is totally unhistorical and the names of the historical persons are not common to Kartli ruling class of the 4th and 5th centuries, regardless the fact that we have a lot of information about the History of Kartli of Attila's Age.



    Also, not only Kartli, but any other non-playable factions are poorly researched in Attila Total War. Please put forward your opinions guys











    .
    Through your intercession I hope to see the light of Thy son and the light of everlasting ages !

  19. #19
    SeniorBatavianHorse's Avatar Tribunus Vacans
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    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    I've yet to delve into the Eastern side of the map and the factions there as I am playing a Jute campaign to learn the basics before jumping in to begin a Sassanian one later. However, what I have seen in not encouraging in terms of research (pike formations anyone?). The good news is that modders will easily transform this game into a far more historically accurate game both in terms of character names/descriptions and unit ethnicity.

    The underlying game mechanics are superb and when modded will make for a great game.

    By the way, your continued posts are an inspiration. I would heartily suggest getting involved with the 'Constantine' mod - or rather its Attila iteration and offer to provide help in terms of research and history. I am sure they would appreciate it!

  20. #20

    Default Re: Kartli Faction in Attila TW

    Quote Originally Posted by SeniorBatavianHorse View Post
    I've yet to delve into the Eastern side of the map and the factions there as I am playing a Jute campaign to learn the basics before jumping in to begin a Sassanian one later. However, what I have seen in not encouraging in terms of research (pike formations anyone?). The good news is that modders will easily transform this game into a far more historically accurate game both in terms of character names/descriptions and unit ethnicity.

    The underlying game mechanics are superb and when modded will make for a great game.

    By the way, your continued posts are an inspiration. I would heartily suggest getting involved with the 'Constantine' mod - or rather its Attila iteration and offer to provide help in terms of research and history. I am sure they would appreciate it!
    Thank you very much!

    Every mod who wishes to make Kartli faction playable and historically accurate could use everything that I have posted here, as well as CA, they also can use it, even if they want I could provide them with other important materials free of charge! My only goal is to support Attila Total War and make it more accurate and more fun to play. So, using my information is welcome.
    Through your intercession I hope to see the light of Thy son and the light of everlasting ages !

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