Georgian-Byzantine relations in the epoch of Constantine Porphyrogenitus

Abstract

Main issues that I would point out are: relation of the Byzantine Empire to Georgia in the epoch of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, its role and importance in the struggle of Georgian people against foreign conquerors, also role of Byzantium in integration of Georgian kingdoms and principalities. Apparently we can not ignore works by Constantine Porphyrogenitus as one of the most significant source of Georgian history.

Byzantium regarded Eastern Christian peoples with caution, as their cooperation was very important for the Empire in its fight against the Arabs, especially when Byzantium did not have a quiet life in its West due to complications with Bulgaria. Though we must mention that the Byzantine Emperors were not driven only by Christian love, they had their own political aims and tasks. Their attitude to Georgians was very changeable according to different circumstances

the epoch of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, first half of the X century, was a very significant period in history of Georgia, as at this time there was laid a fundament for unification of Georgian state. In the process of the struggle for unification the role of Byzantium is extremely significant, as it became an ally of Caucasian nations in their fight against the Arabs. Fight against the Arabs made Caucasian kingdoms seek unification.

Georgians systematically participated in Byzantine campaigns against Arab Emirates located in the gorges of the rivers of Aras-Euphrates and on the banks of the Vani Lake. Georgian rulers took part in Byzantine campaigns to the East as well. Bagrat, brother of the ruler of Tao-Klarjeti, Ashot Kuropalatis took part in the besiege of Theodosiopolis together with John Kourkous. It seems that Georgian war against the Arabs carried a religious character as it is seen in the sources of the given period. Thus coreligeouse Byzantium was a natural ally for Georgia. We think that struggle of Georgian people against The Arabs developed like Spanish Conquest.  In the process of fighting against the Arabs rule in Georgia there was formed a unified Christian military outlook, reflected both in Georgian hagiographical and historical writings. In this fight there was outlined the necessity of unification of Georgian kingdoms and principalities and a general Georgian idea, which indeed was followed by the formation of a unified Georgian State.

Relations between Byzantium and Georgian kingdoms and principalities in this period was expresses in granting titles of the Imperial court to the members of Georgian Royal family by Byzantine Emperors, Relations of Georgian State units to Byzantium was not always the same. They changed according to circumstances, though never left the boundaries of simple protection and influence. Byzantine Emperors never interfered in the domestic affairs of Georgia, if we do not take in view granting Imperial titles, which in a way conditioned strengthening of rights of a new ruler in his own country

Composition of Constantine Porphyrogenitus is the best source describing redistribution of Royal and Principle powers in Georgia. It gives  interesting materials not only about the political life of Georgia  and the history of Georgian-Byzantine relations, but it is significant source about state administration system in Georgia, about origin of unified Georgian State,  the royal house of  Bagrations  and Georgia’s relations with foreign countries. Information given in the work of Constantine Porphyrogenitus VII about the origin of the Bagrations completely meets the theory developed in Georgian historiography about the divine origin of the Bagration dynasty. The theory about the Bagrations descending from Prophet David emerged in Georgian historiography much earlier, and was created as it seems to strengthen the idea of independence and originality of Georgian Kingdom.

In the work by Constantine Porphyrogenitus “About the Ceremonies” there is interesting information about the state administration system in Georgia. In the part of the work where the author gives description of which signets of which value should  be attached to the letters sent to Georgian Kings, indicating that the Kuropalatis of Georgia must be sent credentials of two solids, and be addressed as  ”Christ loving Kuropalatis”[1]. In this work there are also mentioned other principalities included in the Kingdom of Iberia or Arkhonts, four Arkhonts are subordinated to the Kuropalatis: Arkhont of Veriasakh in Iberia, Arkhont of Karanat in Iberia, Arkhont of Kveli in Iberia and Arkhont of Ajara in Iberia

Thus, during the rule of Constantine Porphyrogenitus  Georgia is still a segregated into kingdoms and principalities country, among which more significant were Egrisi-Apkhazeti and Tao-Klarjeti Kingdoms, who initiated formation of a unified  Georgian State. These kingdoms and principalities were vassal countries of the Byzantine Empire and recognized the supremacy of the Byzantine Emperor, they received titles of the Imperial servants, but on this stage their subordination to Byzantium was reflected only in ensuring of border security and military alliance.