George II (Georgian: გიორგი II, Giorgi II) also known as George the Bad, the Mad or the Evil (Av-Giorgi, ავგიორგი) (1469–1513), of the Bagrationi dynasty, was a king (mepe) of the Kingdom of Kakheti from 1511 to 1513.[1]
| George II | |
|---|---|
| King of Kakheti | |
| Reign | 1511–1513 |
| Predecessor | Alexander I |
| Successor | Annexed by David X of Kartli |
| Born | 1469 |
| Died | 1513 (aged 43–44) |
| Spouse | Elene Irubakidze-Cholokashvili |
| Issue | Levan of Kakheti Khvaramze Mariam |
| Dynasty | Bagrationi |
| Father | Alexander I of Kakheti |
| Mother | Ana Cholokashvili |
| Religion | Georgian Orthodox Church |
Biography
editHe was the eldest son of King Alexander I of Kakheti by his wife, Queen Ana Cholokashvili. Prince George had conflicts with his father and younger brother, Demetrius, whom he regarded as a rival. Unlike his father and brother, he opposed peaceful relations with the neighboring Kingdom of Kartli and launched several military campaigns against it.[2]
On April 27, 1511, George killed his father, Alexander I, and blinded his brother, Demetrius, subsequently expelling Demetrius and his family from Kakheti. He then seized the throne, and these actions earned him the epithet Evil George (Av-Giorgi), by which he is remembered in Georgian history.[3][4]
Following his accession, in the same year, King George II launched an campaign against Kartli.[5] Despite lacking sufficient forces to capture the Kartlian stronghold at Ateni (south of Gori), George conducted extensive raids in the surrounding regions.[5]
On one occasion, however, he is recorded as having shown remorse. Chronicles from Mtskheta note that he received Communion from Catholicos Dionise, Archbishop Malakia, and Father Ioane of Alaverdi. As an act of atonement “for my sinful deed,” he granted the Catholicos two villages and exempted them from taxation. Despite this gesture, the conflict did not end with the earlier campaigns.[3]
Prince Bagrat , governor of the Kartli–Kakheti frontier, soon launched an offensive against King George II and built the Fortress of Ksani at the confluence of the Ksani and Mtkvari rivers.[6] George II attempted to besiege the fortress but, after three months of fighting, was forced to withdraw in defeat.[6]
Later in 1513, George II invaded Kartli once more, ravaging the region of Mukhrani and plundering nearby villages. He was defeated by Bagrat’s reinforced army at Dzali, near Mtskheta.[6] Captured and imprisoned in Ksani fortress, George II died later that year, likely assassinated on Bagrat’s orders.[3] Kakheti was briefly annexed to Kartli.[7][8]
Family
editGeorge II was married to Princess Elene Irubakidze-Cholokashvili (d. 1532). They had three children:
- Levan of Kakheti (1503–1574), king of Kakheti from 1518/1520 to 1574.
- Princess Khvaramze (d. 1528), who married Prince Vakhtang of Imereti, the brother of King Bagrat III of Imereti.
- Princess Mariam (d. 1555).
References
edit- ^ გიორგი II, THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF GEORGIA.
- ^ გიორგი II, THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF GEORGIA.
- ^ a b c Rayfield 2012, p. 165.
- ^ გიორგი II, THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF GEORGIA.
- ^ a b Assatiani & Jamburia 2008, p. 140.
- ^ a b c Assatiani & Jamburia 2008, p. 142.
- ^ Mikaberidze, Alexander (2007). Giorgi II (Kakheti). Archived 2016-02-14 at the Wayback Machine Dictionary of Georgian National Biography. Accessed October 5, 2007.
- ^ (in Russian) Вахушти Багратиони (Vakhushti Bagrationi) (1745). История царства грузинского. Возникновение и жизнь Кахети и Эрети. Ч.1 Archived September 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Accessed October 5, 2007.