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Georgians
ქართველები
Top row (left to right)
David the Builder • Queen Tamar of Georgia • Peter the Iberian • Shota Rustaveli •
Middle row Ilia Chavchavadze • Akaki Tsereteli • Vazha-Pshavela • Kakutsa Cholokashvili •
Bottom row Sergo Zakariadze •Levan Abashidze • Paata Burchuladze• Sopho Khalvashi
Total population

c. 7-8 million
Regions with significant populations
Flag of Georgia (country) Georgia 3,906,314 [1]
Flag of Turkey Turkey 200,000-1,500,000 (estimated) [2]
Flag of Russia Russia 198,000(Estimated close to a million) [3]
Flag of the United States United States 150,000(estimated)
Flag of Iran Iran 50,000 Fereydani Speakers(estimated)300,000 ethnic Georgians; Up to 5 million people of (partial) Georgian descent (estimated) [4]
Flag of Ukraine Ukraine 34,200(estimated) [5]
Flag of Brazil Brazil 17,752(estimated)
Flag of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan 14,900 [6]
Western Europe 50,000(estimated)
Languages
Georgian
Religions
Georgian Orthodox Christianity, Georgian Catholicism, Islam[7]
Related ethnic groups
Laz
Part of the series on
Georgians
ქართველები

Georgian culture
Architecture · Art · Cinema · Cuisine ·
Dance · Dress · Literature · Music ·
Media · Religion · Sport

By country or region
Georgia
Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia
Autonomous Republic of Adjara

Subgroups
Adjarians · Mingrelians · Svans · Laz

Religion
Georgian Orthodox Church
Georgian Catholicism · Islam

Languages and dialects
Georgian language
Georgian dialects · Georgian alphabet

Georgian History
v • d • e
Georgian Kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia 600-150 BC. Copyright©2004 Andrew Andersen
Georgian Kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia 600-150 BC. David IV, also known as David II or David III, or David the Builder ( Georgian: დავით აღმაშენებელი Tamar (თამარი also transliterated as T'amar Thamar or Tamara ( c Peter the Iberian, or Peter of Iberia, (პეტრე იბერი Petre Iberi (A Shota Rustaveli (შოთა რუსთაველი 1160 - ? was a Georgian poet of the 12th century, and the greatest classic of Georgian secular literature St Ilia the Righteous, born Prince Ilia Ch’avch’avadze, known as Ilia Ch’avch’avadze (ილია ჭავჭავაძე ( &ndash) was a Prince Ak'ak'i Tsereteli (აკაკი წერეთელი June 9, 1840 - January 26, 1915) was a prominent Georgian poet and Vazha-Pshavela (ვაჟა-ფშაველა ( July 26, 1861 - July 10, 1915) is the Pen-name of the Georgian poet Kaikhosro Cholokashvili (ქაიხოსრო ჩოლოყაშვილი commonly known as Kakutsa (ქაქუცა a Hypocorism of Kaikhosro Sergo Zakariadze (სერგო ზაქარიაძე sɛrgɔ zakarɪadzɛ in Baku &ndash 13 April 1971 in Tblisi) was a Levan Abashidze (ლევან აბაშიძე Леван Абашидзе ( 1965 - 1993) was a Georgian actor Paata Burchuladze (პაატა ბურჭულაძე (born on February 12, 1955) is a Georgian Sopho Khalvashi ( Georgian: სოფო ხალვაში born May 31, 1986 in Batumi) is a Georgian musical artist Circa (often abbreviated c, ca, ca or cca and sometimes Italicized to show it is Latin) means "about" Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Azerbaijan ( English; Azərbaycan officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası is the largest and most populous country in the South Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' Georgian (ka ქართული ენა kartuli ena) is the Official language of Georgia, a country in the Caucasus. Christianity in ancient and feudal Georgia According to tradition when the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world the Apostle On Georgian Catholics of Byzantine Rite see Georgian Byzantine-Rite Catholics The Georgian Catholic Church (or Catholic Church in Georgia For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. The Laz ( Lazi (ლაზი or Lazepe (ლაზეფე in Laz, Lazlar in Turkish, Lazi (ლაზი or The culture of Georgia has evolved over the country's long history providing it with a unique national culture and a strong literary tradition based on the Georgian The Architecture of Georgia is the architecture native to Georgia. The Cinema in Georgia has been noted for its Cinematography in Europe Georgian cuisine is considered one of the main attractions for tourists in Georgia and it is particularly popular throughout the former Soviet Union See also Culture of Georgia There are a number of dances of Georgia, these Folk dances of the Georgian people have a number of purposes The culture of Georgia has evolved over the country's long history providing it with a unique national culture and a strong literary tradition based on the Georgian Folk music Georgian folk music possesses what is the oldest tradition of polyphonic music in the world predating the introduction of Christianity. The Media in Georgia is relatively accessible and caters to a wide variety of audiences Christianity in ancient and feudal Georgia According to tradition when the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world the Apostle Historically Georgia has been famous for its physical education it is known that the Romans were fascinated with Georgians' physical qualities after seeing the training techniques Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Abkhazia (Аҧсны Apsny აფხაზეთი Apkhazeti or Abkhazeti Абха́зия Abhazia) is a De facto The Adjarians (Ajarians Ajars Adjars Adzhars აჭარლები Ačarlebi) are an ethnographic group of Georgians that mostly live in Adjara The Mingrelians ( Mingrelian: მარგალი margali; მეგრელები megrelebi) are a subethnic group of Georgians that The Svans (სვანები Svanebi) are an ethnographic group of Georgians that mostly live in Svanetia region of Georgia. The Laz ( Lazi (ლაზი or Lazepe (ლაზეფე in Laz, Lazlar in Turkish, Lazi (ლაზი or Christianity in ancient and feudal Georgia According to tradition when the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world the Apostle On Georgian Catholics of Byzantine Rite see Georgian Byzantine-Rite Catholics The Georgian Catholic Church (or Catholic Church in Georgia Islam in Georgia was introduced in 645 AD when an army sent by the Second Caliph of Islam Umar, conquered Eastern Georgia Georgian (ka ქართული ენა kartuli ena) is the Official language of Georgia, a country in the Caucasus. Georgian (ქართული Kartuli) is a South Caucasian, or Kartvelian language spoken by about 4 The Georgian alphabet (ქართული დამწერლობა is the writing system currently used to write the Georgian language and other South Caucasian The history of Georgia began with the rise of the early Georgian states of Colchis and Iberia, which in c Copyright©2004 Andrew Andersen

The Georgians (Georgian: ქართველები, k'art'velebi) are a nation and ethnic group originating in the Caucasus, the oldest group of the South Caucasian people mainly centered in Georgia, but also living in Turkey, Russia, the United States, Iran, and other countries. Georgian (ka ქართული ენა kartuli ena) is the Official language of Georgia, a country in the Caucasus. A nation is a Human Cultural and Social Community. In as much as most members never meet each other yet feel a common bond it may be considered The Caucasus ( also referred to as North Caucasus) is a geopolitical region located between Europe Asia & Middle East South Caucasian peoples is a general term for the ethnic groups and subgroups that historically spoke the South Caucasian languages, namely Georgians Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Descending from some of the earliest settlers in the Caucasus, the Georgian people went through a complex process of ethnic consolidation and nation-making. The Caucasus ( also referred to as North Caucasus) is a geopolitical region located between Europe Asia & Middle East It currently comprises a diverse set of local sub-ethnic communities, each with its characteristic traditions, manners and dialect or language. Georgian (ქართული Kartuli) is a South Caucasian, or Kartvelian language spoken by about 4 Of these subgroups, the Mingrelians, Lazs and the Svans are typically bilingual in their own dialect (Mingrelian-Laz and Svan) and Georgian. The Mingrelians ( Mingrelian: მარგალი margali; მეგრელები megrelebi) are a subethnic group of Georgians that The Laz ( Lazi (ლაზი or Lazepe (ლაზეფე in Laz, Lazlar in Turkish, Lazi (ლაზი or The Svans (სვანები Svanebi) are an ethnographic group of Georgians that mostly live in Svanetia region of Georgia. Mingrelian, or Megrelian (მარგალურ ნინა margalur nina; მეგრული ენა megruli ena) is a Language The Svan language (ლუშნუ ნინ/შკა̈ნ lušnu nin/šḳän; სვანური ენა svanuri ena) is a language spoken in Northwest Georgian (ka ქართული ენა kartuli ena) is the Official language of Georgia, a country in the Caucasus. The latter, with its unique own alphabet and long written tradition going back to the 5th century, [8] is the language of literacy and education of all Georgians living in Georgia as well as the official language of that country. The Georgian alphabet (ქართული დამწერლობა is the writing system currently used to write the Georgian language and other South Caucasian An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory

The majority of Georgians are Christian, and mostly adhere to their national ancient autocephalous Georgian Orthodox Church. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Autocephaly, in Hierarchical Christian churches and especially Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches is the status of a hierarchical church whose Christianity in ancient and feudal Georgia According to tradition when the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world the Apostle Christianized in the early 4th century, Georgia is the second nation state to adopt Christianity in 327 A. D. There are Georgian Muslim communities in Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan and Georgia’s autonomous republic of Adjara and community of Georgian Catholics. A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion Azerbaijan ( English; Azərbaycan officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası is the largest and most populous country in the South An autonomous republic is a type of Administrative division similar to a Province.

Strategically located on the crossroads between East and West, the Georgian people have been influenced by many civilizations throughout history. The term Eastern world refers very broadly to the various Cultures social structures and philosophical systems of " the East " The term Western world, the West or the Occident ( Latin: occidens -sunset -west as distinct from the Orient) can have multiple meanings They absorbed features of other cultures and married them to indigenous traditions to produce a rich culture which reached its high point of development in the Middle Ages. With their roots in the ancient tribal federations, the Georgians evolved into a highly structured feudal nation and by the early 11th century formed a unified kingdom which emerged as a dominant power in the Caucasus until the Mongol invasions in the 13th century. "Ancient" redirects here For other uses see Ancient_(disambiguation. Feudalism, a term first used in the early modern period (17th century in its most classic sense refers to a Medieval Europe Political system composed The medieval kingdom of Georgia first clashed with the advancing Mongol armies in 1220. Threatened by rivaling regional empires and plagued by incessant internal unrest, the Georgians remained more or less independent until the Russian annexation of Georgian polities early in the 19th century and regained national independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991

Contents

Etymology

Georgians call themselves Kartvelebi (ქართველები), their land Sakartvelo (საქართველო), and their language Kartuli (ქართული). According to legend, the ancestor of the Kartvelian people was Kartlos, the great grandson of the Biblical Japheth. Kartlos or K'art'los (ქართლოს was the legendary establisher and eponymous father of Georgia, and the mythic ancestor of Georgians, namely Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin Japheth (ˈdʒeɪfɪθ Hebrew. יפת Greek Ιάφεθ, Iapheth, Latin Iafeth or Iapetus Arabic يافث Ancient Greeks (Strabo, Herodotus, Plutarch, Homer, etc. The Greeks ( Greek: Έλληνες) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighbouring regions Strabo ( Greek: Στράβων 63/64 BC – ca AD 24 was a Greek historian, geographer and philosopher. Herodotus of Halicarnassus ( Greek: Hēródotos Halikarnāsseús) was a Greek Historian who lived in the 5th century BC ( 484 BC&ndash Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus ( Greek: Μέστριος Πλούταρχος c Homer ( Ancient Greek:, Homēros) is a legendary ancient Greek epic Poet, traditionally said to be the author of the epic poems the ) and Romans (Titus Livius, Cornelius Tacitus, etc. Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC Titus Livius (traditionally 59 BC &ndash AD 17 known as Livy in English, was a Roman historian who wrote a monumental history of Rome Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus (ca 56 &ndash ca 117 was a senator and a Historian of the Roman Empire. ) referred to early eastern Georgians as Iberians (Iberoi in some Greek sources) and western Georgians as Colchians. The Caucasian Iberians was a Greco-Roman designation for ancient Georgians, Ibero-Caucasian people ( South Caucasian or Kartvelians who inhabited the In ancient Geography, Colchis or Kolchis ( Georgian and Laz: კოლხეთი k'olxeti; Greek:, Kolchís [9]


Origins

Most historians and scholars of Georgia as well as anthropologists, archaeologists and linguists tend to agree that the ancestors of modern Georgians inhabited the southern Caucasus and northern Asia Minor since the Neolithic period. Anatolia (Anadolu Ανατολία Anatolía) or Asia minor, comprising most of modern Turkey, is the geographic region bounded by the Black The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos [10] Scholars usually refer to them as Proto-Kartvelian (Proto-Georgians such as Colchians and Iberians) tribes. [11] Even the Bible makes mention of Tubal-cain, who is associated with proto-Georgian tribes. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin [12] Some European historians of the 19th century (eg, Humboldt, Krettschmer) as well as Georgian scholars (R. Gordeziani, S. Kaukhchishvili and Z. Gamsakhurdia) came to the conclusion that Proto-Kartvelians might be related linguistically and culturally to the indigenous (pre-Indo-European) peoples of ancient Europe including the Etruscans, Pelasgians and Proto-Basques. Simon Kaukhchishvili (სიმონ ყაუხჩიშვილი also transliterated as Qauxchishvili or Qauxčišvili ( October 1, 1895 – May 11 Zviad Gamsakhurdia ( Georgian: ზვიად გამსახურდია, ( March 31, 1939 — December 31, 1993 The term Indigenous Peoples or autochthonous peoples can be used to describe any Ethnic group who inhabit a geographic region with which they have the earliest historical Etruscan civilization is the modern English name given to the culture and way of life of a people of ancient Italy The name Pelasgians (from Ancient Greek grc Πελασγοί Pelasgoí, singular Πελασγός Pelasgós) was used by some ancient Greek The Basques (Euskaldunak are a people who inhabit a region spanning over parts of north-central Spain and southwestern France.

The Georgian people in antiquity have been known to the ancient Greeks and Romans as Colchians and Iberians. The Greeks ( Greek: Έλληνες) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighbouring regions Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC [13][14] East Georgian tribes of Tibarenians-Iberians formed their kingdom in 7th century B. C. E. However, western Georgian tribes (Moschians, Suanians and Colchians) established the first Georgian state of Colchis before the foundation of the Iberian Kingdom in the east. [15] According to the numerous scholars of Georgia, the formations of these two early Georgian kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia, resulted in the consolidation and uniformity of the Georgian nation [16]

Proto Georgian tribes:

Both Colchians and Iberians played an important role in the ethnic and cultural formation of the modern Georgian nation. The Caucasian Iberians was a Greco-Roman designation for ancient Georgians, Ibero-Caucasian people ( South Caucasian or Kartvelians who inhabited the [21][22]

Short History

Main article: History of Georgia (country)

Ancient Georgia

A second Georgian tribal union emerged in the 13 th century BC on the Black Sea coast creating the Kingdom of Colchis in the western Georgia. The history of Georgia began with the rise of the early Georgian states of Colchis and Iberia, which in c In ancient Geography, Colchis or Kolchis ( Georgian and Laz: კოლხეთი k'olxeti; Greek:, Kolchís [23] The ancient Greeks knew western Georgia as Colchis, and it featured in the Greek legend of Jason and the Argonauts, who travelled there in search of the Golden Fleece. The term ancient Greece refers to the period of Greek history lasting from the Greek Dark Ages ca Jason ( Greek: Ἰάσων, Etruscan: Easun, Laz: Yason) was a late ancient Greek mythological For other uses of this term see Argonaut. In Greek mythology, the Argonauts ( Ancient Greek:) were a band of heroes In Greek mythology, the Golden Fleece (Χρυσόμαλλον Δέρας is the fleece of the winged ram Chrysomallos (Χρυσόμαλλος Since 2 000 B. C. , north-western Colchis was inhabited by the Svan and Zan peoples of the Georgian tribes. The Zan language, or Zanuri, is a conventional term used by some linguists to describe the unity of Mingrelian and Laz, which are the closest In the eastern part of Georgia, there was a struggle for the leadership among the various Georgian confederations during the 6th – 4th centuries BC which was finally won by the Kartlian tribes from the region of Mtskheta in Iberia. According to the Georgian tradition, the Kingdom of Kartli (known as Iberia in the Greek-Roman literature) was founded around 300 BC by Parnavaz I, the first ruler of the Parnavazid dynasty. This article is about the people of ancient Georgia For the Iberians of ancient Iberian Peninsula see Iberians. Between 653 and 333 B. C. , both Colchis and Iberia were successfully surviving in fight against Median and later Persian Empire. The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who lived in the northwestern portions of present-day Iran. The Persian Empire was a series of Iranian empires that ruled over the Iranian plateau, the original Persian homeland and beyond in Western Asia At the end of the 3d century B. C, southern Iberia saw the armies of Alexander the Great who established a vast Greco-Macedonian empire to the south of the Caucasus. Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ'

Saint Nino is credited for conversion of Georgia to Christianity in 327 A.D
Saint Nino is credited for conversion of Georgia to Christianity in 327 A. Saint Nino (წმინდა ნინო Αγία Νίνω (sometimes St D

Between the early 2nd century, B. C. and the late 2nd century A. D. , both Colchis and Iberia, together with the neighbor countries, became an arena of long and devastating conflicts between major local powers Rome, Armenia, and the short-lived Kingdom of Pontus. Geography The Black Sea region loosely called Pontus by various scholars has a steep rocky coast with rivers that cascade through the gorges of the coastal ranges As a result of the brilliant Roman campaigns of Pompey and Lucullus, the Georgian kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia came under direct Roman rule. Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, commonly known as Pompey /'pɑmpi/ Pompey the Great or Pompey the Triumvir ( Classical Latin abbreviation For his grandfather and namesake see Lucius Licinius Lucullus. However, during the reign of the Emperor Trajan, Caucasian Iberia became a long lasting ally of the Roman Empire. Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus, commonly known as Trajan ( September 18 53 &ndash August 9 117) was a Roman Emperor who The former Kingdom of Colchis was re-organized by the Romans into the province of Lazicum ruled by Roman legati. Egrisi (ეგრისი is a medieval Georgian name for the region and kingdom in the western part of modern-day Georgia, known to the Byzantine

Eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia became one of the first states in the world to convert to Christianity in 327 AD, when King of Iberia Mirian II established it as the official state religion. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Events By Place Roman Empire In order to resolve the shortage of labour in the provinces Constantine I decrees that rural slaves can only Mirian III (მირიან III in 4th century AD (also known as Saint King Mirian) was King of eastern Georgian Kingdom of Iberia ( Kartli) In the middle of the 4th century, both Lazica (former Kingdom of Colchis), and Iberia, adopted Christianity as their official religion. At the end of the 5th century, Prince Vakhtang I Gorgasali orchestrated an anti-Persian uprising and restored Iberian statehood proclaiming himself the King. Saint King Vakhtang I Gorgasali (440 &ndash 502 ვახტანგ I გორგასალი) was the Georgian king ( mepe) of Kartli ( The armies of Vakhtang launched several campaigns against both Persia and the Byzantine Empire.

Medieval Georgia

Kingdom of Georgia during the reign of Queen Tamar, Copyright©2004 Andrew Andersen
Kingdom of Georgia during the reign of Queen Tamar, Copyright©2004 Andrew Andersen

The first decades of the 9th century saw the rise of a new Georgian state in Tao-Klarjeti. Tao-Klarjeti ( Georgian: ტაო–კლარჯეთი is the term conventionally used in modern history writing to describe the historic south-western Georgian Ashot Courapalate, of the royal family of Bagrationi, liberated from the Arabs the territories of former southern Iberia. Ashot I Kuropalates ( Georgian: აშოტ I კურაპალატი Ashot I Kurapalati) presiding prince of Iberia for the Caliph The araB gene Promoter is a bacterial promoter activated by e L-arabinose binding The first united Georgian monarchy was formed at the end of the 10th century when Curopalate David invaded the Earldom of Kartli-Iberia. David III Kuropalates (დავით III კუროპალატი Davit’ III Kuropalati) or David III the Great (დავით III დიდი Three years later, after the death of his uncle Theodosius the Blind, King of Egrisi-Abkhazia, Bagrat III inherited the Abkhazian throne. Theodosius III the Blind (also known as Theodosius the Sorrowed) was King of the Abkhazians from circa 975 to 978. Bagrat III (ბაგრატ III (c 960 – May 7, 1014) of the Georgian Bagrationi dynasty was King of the Abkhazians from In 1001 Bagrat also included Tao-Klarjeti (Curopalatinate of Iberia) into his domain as a result of David’s death. In 1008-1010 Bagrat King of the Abkhazs and Tao-Klarjeti annexed Kakheti and Ereti thus becoming the first King of the united Georgia both eastern and western. In 1008 all Georgian principalities were united into the unified Kingdom of Georgia (1008-1466) under the Bagrationi dynasty. Origins See also Origin of the Bagratid dynasties According to a family legend taken down by the eleventh-century Georgian chronicler Sumbat Davitis-Dze This dynasty was established by Ashot I (Ashot the Great) in the end of the 8th century. Ashot I Bagratuni (Աշոտ Մեծ was an Armenian prince with Ashot II, oversaw Armenia's second Golden age (862&ndash977

The struggle against the Seljuk invaders in Georgia was led by the young King David IV of the Bagrationi royal family who inherited the throne in 1089 at the age of 16 after the abdication of his father George II Bagrationi. The Seljuq (also Seljuq Turks, Seldjuks, Seldjuqs, Seljuks; in Turkish Selçuklular; in Ṣaljūqīyān; in David IV, also known as David II or David III, or David the Builder ( Georgian: დავით აღმაშენებელი In 1121, Seljuk Sultan Mahmud declared Jihad on Georgia and sent a strong army under one of his famous generals Al-Ghazee to fight the Georgians. Jihad (جهاد ʤɪhæːd an Islamic term, is a religious duty of Muslims. Although significantly outnumbered by the Turks, Georgians managed to defeat the invaders at Didgori battle and in 1122 took over Tbilisi to make it Georgia’s capital. As a result, mostly Christian-populated Ghishi-Kabala area in western Shirvan (relic of once prosperous Albanian Kingdom) was annexed by Georgia while the rest of already Islamized Shirvan became Georgia’s client-state. That same year a big portion of Armenia was liberated by David’s troops and fell into Georgian hands as well. Thus, in 1124 David also became the King of Armenians incorporating Northern Armenia into Georgian Crown lands. In King David died leaving Georgia with the status of a strong regional power. In Georgia, King David is called Agmashenebeli (English: the builder).

Queen Tamara of Georgia
Queen Tamara of Georgia

However, the most glorious sovereign of Georgia of that period was definitely Queen Tamar (David’s great-granddaughter). The reign of Queen Tamar was the peak of Georgia’s might in the whole history of the nation. Tamar (თამარი also transliterated as T'amar Thamar or Tamara ( c Trebizond Empire was heavily dependent of Georgia for more than two hundred years. In 1210 Georgian armies invaded northern Persia (modern day Iranian Azerbaijan) putting part of the conquered territory under Georgian protectorate. That was the maximal extent of Georgia throughout her history. Queen Tamar was addressed as “The Queen of Abkhazians, Kartvels, Rans, Kakhs and Armenians, Shirvan-Shakhine and Shakh-in-Shakhine, The Sovereign of the East and West”. Georgian historians often refer to her as “Queen Tamar the Great”. The period between the early 12th and the early 13th centuries and especially, the era of Tamar the Great, can truly be considered as the golden age of Georgia. Besides the political and military achievements, it was marked by the development of Georgian culture including the architecture, literature, philosophy and sciences. The Golden age of Georgia left a magnificent legacy of great cathedrals, brilliant romantic poetry and literature, and the epic poem "The Knight in the Panther's Skin - revered by all Georgians since its creation for its artistic and philosophical virtue, the glorification of the ideals of universal solidarity between humans, and the values of chivalry, honour, compassion and romantic love. The Knight in the Panther's Skin ( Georgian: ვეფხისტყაოსანი transliterated as Vepkhist'q'aosani) is an Epic poem This Golden Age was interrupted at its peak by the Mongol Invasion in the 13th century A. D. After that time, the Georgian feudal state entered an era of decline punctuated by short-lived ascents.

Modern History

In the 19th century, Georgia, on the verge of annihilation by its powerful southern rivals, was annexed by the Russian Empire. The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya A few decades later, Georgian society produced a modernist nationalistic elite under the guidance of Ilia Chavchavadze, which united Georgian society around the dream of the restoration of their once glorious state. St Ilia the Righteous, born Prince Ilia Ch’avch’avadze, known as Ilia Ch’avch’avadze (ილია ჭავჭავაძე ( &ndash) was a In 1918, this dream was fulfilled and the Democratic Republic of Georgia was established. The Democratic Republic of Georgia ( DRG; Georgian: საქართველოს დემოკრატიული რესპუბლიკა Sakartvelos This courageous democratic experiment was short-lived, as in 1921 Georgia was occupied by Bolshevik Russia. The Bolsheviks, originally also Bolshevists ( Большевик Большевист (singular, derived from bolshe, "more" were a faction The first years of independence after the dissolution of the USSR were characterized by political instability and civil conflicts. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 The first wave of reforms initiated in 1995 was only partially successful. Political corruption resulted in economic decline and institutional inefficiency, which led to grave political crisis. In November 2003, the "Rose Revolution - a mass non-violent public disobedience campaign - forced the government, which had tried to falsify elections, to resign. The "Revolution of Roses quot (often translated into English as the Rose Revolution) (ვარდების რევოლუცია - vardebis A new wave of systemic reforms started after the election of the new Government.

Population and geographical spread

Georgians in their traditional costumes
Georgians in their traditional costumes

The total population of Georgians in the world is estimated to be around 6,000,000.

Ethnographic subdivisions

The largest ethnic group within the broader Georgian ethnicity is comprised of the ქართველები (transliterated Kartveli, plural: Kartvelebi), which comprises the majority of the population of Georgia. The other major subdivisions within the Georgian ethnicity include: the Mingrelians (მეგრელი), who live predominantly in northwestern Georgia (Samegrelo); the Laz (ლაზი), who live predominantly in southwestern Georgia (Ajara) and in the northeastern Turkey (in the Rize and Artvin regions); and the Svans (სვანი) of the Svaneti region of Georgia. The Mingrelians ( Mingrelian: მარგალი margali; მეგრელები megrelebi) are a subethnic group of Georgians that Megrelia, Mingrelia or Samegrelo / Samargalo (სამეგრელო Samegrelo; Mingrelian: სამარგალო Samargalo The Laz ( Lazi (ლაზი or Lazepe (ლაზეფე in Laz, Lazlar in Turkish, Lazi (ლაზი or Rize ( Greek: Riza, რიზე Ռիզե is the capital of Rize Province, in northeast Turkey, on the Black Sea Artvin is a city in northeastern Turkey on the Çoruh River near the Georgian border The Svans (სვანები Svanebi) are an ethnographic group of Georgians that mostly live in Svanetia region of Georgia. Svaneti or Svanetia ( Suania in ancient sources (სვანეთი Svaneti) is a historic province in Georgia, in the northwestern part of These four ethnic groups within the greater Georgian ethnicity are differentiated by language. The Kartveli speak Kartuli (what the English speaking world calls Georgian), the Mingrelians speak Megrelian, the Laz speak Laz, and the Svans speak Svan. Georgian (ka ქართული ენა kartuli ena) is the Official language of Georgia, a country in the Caucasus. Mingrelian, or Megrelian (მარგალურ ნინა margalur nina; მეგრული ენა megruli ena) is a Language The Laz language (ლაზური ნენა lazuri nena; ლაზური lazuri, or ჭანური chanuri) is spoken by the Laz people The Svan language (ლუშნუ ნინ/შკა̈ნ lušnu nin/šḳän; სვანური ენა svanuri ena) is a language spoken in Northwest These four related languages comprise the entirety of the South Caucasian language group. The South Caucasian languages (also known as Ibero-Caucasian or Kartvelian) are spoken primarily in Georgia, with smaller groups of speakers in Turkey The majority of Mingrelians and Svans are bilingual in their native language and in Kartuli, while the majority of the Laz are bilingual in their native language and either Kartuli or Turkish. Turkish ( tr Türkçe IPA) is a language spoken by over 63 million people worldwide making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages.

Within the group called Kartveli, Georgians further distinguish themselves into regional ethnographic subgroups:

These subgroups, however, exist for historical and geographical reasons; each would consider itself to be Kartveli, the ethnic group which gives the country, Sakartvelo, its name, and would speak the same language. Imereti Province ( Georgian: იმერეთი მხარე Imereti Mxare) is a province in Georgia situated along the middle and upper reaches For the village in Bangladesh see Guria Bangladesh. Guria (გურია is a region ( Mkhare) in Georgia Lechkhumi ( Georgian: ლეჩხუმი Lečxumi) is a historic province in northwestern Georgia which comprises the area along the middle basin Racha (also Ratcha, Georgian: რაჭა Račʼa) is a historic province in Georgia, in the mountainous northwestern part of the country Kartli (ქართლი is the largest and most populated province of Eastern Georgia. Kakheti ( Georgian: კახეთი is a province in Eastern Georgia. Khevsureti is a historic province in eastern Georgia, located along both the northern and southern slopes of the Great Caucasus Mountains. Tusheti, or Tushetia, is a historic region in northeast Georgia. Pshavi (ფშავი is a small historic-geographic area in Georgia, included in today’s Mtskheta-Mtianeti region and laying chiefly on the southern Khevi (ხევი is a small historical-geographic area in northeastern Georgia. Saingilo ( Georgian: საინგილო is a 19th-century term that is used to indicate the eastern part of the historic region of Hereti. Fereydan ( Persian: فریدن Georgian: ფერეიდანი Armenian: Փերիա is a county of the Province of Isfahan, Iran

Notable Georgians (selection)

See List of Georgians for a more complete listing, including notable people with Georgian heritage. The following is a partial list of prominent people from the Republic of Georgia, arranged chronologically within categories

Kings and chieftains

Bagrat III, King of United Georgian Kingdom
Bagrat III, King of United Georgian Kingdom
Queen Tamar of Georgia
Queen Tamar of Georgia
Prince Ilia Chavchavadze
Prince Ilia Chavchavadze

Literature & the arts

Niko Nikoladze
Niko Nikoladze

Military

Prince Alexander Chavchavadze
Prince Alexander Chavchavadze

Music

George Balanchine (Balanchivadze)
George Balanchine (Balanchivadze)
Sopho Khalvashi
Sopho Khalvashi
Veriko Anjaparidze
Veriko Anjaparidze

Actors

Philosophy & religion

St Grigol Peradze
St Grigol Peradze

Politics

Evgen Gvaladze
Evgen Gvaladze

Sports


Gallery of Georgian people

Ilia Chavchavadze, writer, poet, journalist and lawyer. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Kaikhosro Cholokashvili (ქაიხოსრო ჩოლოყაშვილი commonly known as Kakutsa (ქაქუცა a Hypocorism of Kaikhosro Leo Keresselidze or Kereselidze (ლეო კერესელიძე (1885 – 1942 was a Georgian military figure politician and journalist involved in the Giorgi Kvinitadze (გიორგი კვინიტაძე Георгий Иванович Квинитадзе Georgy Ivanovich Kvinitadze; his real surname was Shalva Maghlakelidze (also spelled as Maglakelidze შალვა მაღლაკელიძე Schalwa Maglakelidse (1893-1970 was a Georgian politician and commander Giorgi Mazniashvili (გიორგი მაზნიაშვილი (1872 -1937 was a Georgian general and one of the most prominent military figures in the Democratic General John Malchase David Shalikashvili (ჯონ მალხაზ შალიკაშვილი (born June 27 1936 is a retired officer of the United States The Joint Chiefs of Staff ( JCS) is a group comprising the Chiefs of service of each major branch of the Armed services in the United States armed forces The United States of America —commonly referred to as the See also List of ballets by George Balanchine, George Balanchine (January 22 1904 &ndash April 30 1983 born Giorgi Melitonis dze Balanchivadze Meliton Balanchivadze (მელიტონ ბალანჩივაძე ( December 24, 1862 – December 21, 1937) was a Georgian Natela Nicoli - Metzger (born Tbilisi | April 19, 1961 – is a Georgian Opera singer. Zakharia Paliashvili (ზაქარია ფალიაშვილი in Georgian Захарий Петрович Палиашвили in Russian in Kutaisi Giya Kancheli (გია ყანჩელი born August 10 1935 in Tbilisi, is a Georgian composer resident in Belgium. Vakhtang "Buba" Kikabidze (ვახტანგ "ბუბა" კიკაბიძე Вахтанг Константинович Кикабидзе Vahtang Otar Taktakishvili (ოთარ თაქთაქიშვილი Отар Васильевич Тактакишвили Tbilisi, 27 July 1924 &ndash See also List of ballets by George Balanchine, George Balanchine (January 22 1904 &ndash April 30 1983 born Giorgi Melitonis dze Balanchivadze Paata Burchuladze (პაატა ბურჭულაძე (born on February 12, 1955) is a Georgian Makvala Kasrashvili (მაყვალა კასრაშვილი Маквала Филимоновна Касрашвили Makvala Filimonovna Kasrashvili) is a Valeriy Shotayevich Meladze (Валерий Шотаевич Меладзе ვალერი მელაძე is a Russian singer of Georgian descent Sopho Khalvashi ( Georgian: სოფო ხალვაში born May 31, 1986 in Batumi) is a Georgian musical artist Nato Vachnadze (ნატო ვაჩნაძე real name Nato Andronikashvili - ნატო ანდრონიკაშვილი( 3 April, 1904, Warsaw Sergo Zakariadze (სერგო ზაქარიაძე sɛrgɔ zakarɪadzɛ in Baku &ndash 13 April 1971 in Tblisi) was a Sofiko Chiaureli was a Georgian Actress, thought to be the Muse of filmmaker Sergei Parajanov. Temur Babluani (თემურ ბაბლუანი (born March 20 1948) is a Georgian film director script writer and actor Lia Eliava ( Georgian - ლია ელიავა ( 28 May 1934 – 8 October 1998) was a Georgian Otar Koberidze ( Georgian ოთარ კობერიძე Russian Отар Леонтьевич Коберидзе December 17, 1924, Tbilisi Leila Abashidze (In Georgian ლეილა აბაშიძე (born 1st of August 1929 Tbilisi is Georgian actress director and writer Grigol Peradze ( St Priest Martyr Grigol) (September 13 1899 - December 6 1942 was a famous Georgian Ecclesiastic figure Theologian Peter the Iberian, or Peter of Iberia, (პეტრე იბერი Petre Iberi (A Anthim the Iberian ( Romanian: Antim Ivireanul, Georgian: ანთიმოზ ივერიელი - Antimoz Iverieli; secular name Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania Saint Ambrose (c 338 &ndash 4 April 397) was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the fourth century Grigol Peradze ( St Priest Martyr Grigol) (September 13 1899 - December 6 1942 was a famous Georgian Ecclesiastic figure Theologian The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia is the head of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church. St Ilia the Righteous, born Prince Ilia Ch’avch’avadze, known as Ilia Ch’avch’avadze (ილია ჭავჭავაძე ( &ndash) was a Joseph Stalin ( ნამდვილი გვარი ჯუღაშვილი|Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili; March 5 1953 was General Secretary of the Communist Party The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Evgen (Geno Gvaladze (ევგენ (გენო ღვალაძე ( May 13, 1900 - October 15, 1937) was a Georgian Eduard Amvrosiyevich Shevardnadze (ედუარდ შევარდნაძე ɛduɑrd ʃɛvɑrdnɑdzɛ (born 25 January 1928 in Mamati, Lanchkhuti This page lists foreign ministers of Russian Empire, Soviet Union, and Russian Federation: Heads of Posolsky Prikaz, 1549-1699 Merab Kostava (Georgian მერაბ კოსტავა May 26, 1939 &ndash October 13, 1989) was a Georgian Dissident Zviad Gamsakhurdia ( Georgian: ზვიად გამსახურდია, ( March 31, 1939 — December 31, 1993 Mikheil Saakashvili (მიხეილ ნიკოლოზის ძე სააკაშვილი (born 21 December 1967, a Georgian Politician, the The President of Georgia (საქართველოს პრეზიდენტი is the Commander-in-chief of Georgia. Vladimer "Lado" Gurgenidze (ვლადიმერ (ლადო გურგენიძე (born December 17, 1970) is a Georgian Politician The Prime Minister of Georgia is the most senior minister within the Cabinet of Georgia of the Republic of Georgia, appointed by the President of Georgia Shota Arveladze (born February 22, 1973 in Tbilisi) is a former Georgian professional football player Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered AZ, an initialism for Alkmaar Zaanstreek, is a football club from Alkmaar, the Netherlands. The Georgia national football team is the national football team of Georgia and is controlled by the Georgian Football Federation. Maia Chiburdanidze (მაია ჩიბურდანიძე born January 17, 1961) is a Georgian Chess grandmaster, and the Chess is a recreational and competitive Game played between two players. Nona Gaprindashvili (ნონა გაფრინდაშვილი born May 3, 1941) is a Georgian Chess player the sixth Women's Kakhaber (Kakha Kaladze ( Georgian: კახაბერ (კახა კალაძე born February 27, 1978 in Samtredia) is a Georgian Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to by the abbreviation Milan, is an Italian professional football club based in Milan, Lombardy Zaza Pachulia, born Zaur Pachulia (ზაზა ფაჩულია (born February 10 1984 in Tbilisi, Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional Basketball team based in Atlanta Georgia. Elene Gedevanishvili (ელენე გედევანიშვილი (born January 7 1990 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet St Ilia the Righteous, born Prince Ilia Ch’avch’avadze, known as Ilia Ch’avch’avadze (ილია ჭავჭავაძე ( &ndash) was a

General Bagrationi

Regent Prince Simon Bagrationi

Georgian Prince Iakob Chavchavadze and Prince Bagrationi-Mukhraneli

Countess Catherine Dadiani

19th Century Georgian writer Alexander Kazbegi

General Kote Abkhazi

Georgian prima ballerina Nino Ananiashvili

Georgian actor Levan Abashidze

Sopho Khalvashi, the first artist to represent Georgia at the Eurovision Song Contest. Peter (Petre Bagrationi or Pyotr Romanovich Bagration ( September 12, 1818 - January 17, 1876) was a Russian Georgian Chavchavadze (ჭავჭავაძე is a Georgian noble family formerly a Princely one ( Tavadi) Origins See also Origin of the Bagratid dynasties According to a family legend taken down by the eleventh-century Georgian chronicler Sumbat Davitis-Dze Alexander Kazbegi (1848-1893 was a Georgian writer famous for his 1883 novel The Patricide. Prince Konstantine "Kote" Abkhazi (კონსტანტინე აბხაზი ( November 17, 1867 - May 19, 1923) was a Nina Ananiashvili (also Nino Ananiashvili, ნინო ანანიაშვილი (born March 28 1963) is a Georgian ballerina Levan Abashidze (ლევან აბაშიძე Леван Абашидзе ( 1965 - 1993) was a Georgian actor Sopho Khalvashi ( Georgian: სოფო ხალვაში born May 31, 1986 in Batumi) is a Georgian musical artist

General Shalikashvili, retired general who served as US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1993 to 1997

Katie Melua, highest selling European female artist in 2006. General John Malchase David Shalikashvili (ჯონ მალხაზ შალიკაშვილი (born June 27 1936 is a retired officer of the United States

Notes

  1. ^ CIA World Factbook
  2. ^ Encyclopedia of the Orient
  3. ^ 2002 Russian census
  4. ^ CRS Brief for Congress: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political Developments and Implications for US Interests
  5. ^ 2001 Ukrainian census
  6. ^ "Population by ethnic groups" The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan
  7. ^ Predominant religion among Georgians in Iran and in many villages of Adjara. Iranian Georgians are an ethnic group living in Iran Today's Georgia was a subject to the Safavid empire in 17th century and Shah Abbas I relocated
  8. ^ The Making of the Georgian Nation, Ronald Grigor Suny, p. 12
  9. ^ Braund, David. Georgia in Antiquity: A History of Colchis and Transcaucasian Iberia, 550 BC-AD 562, pp. 17-18
  10. ^ The Georgians, David Marshal Lang, p 19
  11. ^ The Georgians, David Marshal Lang, p 66
  12. ^ Georgia A Sovereign Country of the Caucasus, Roger Rosen, p 16
  13. ^ Georgia A Sovereign Country of the Caucasus, Roger Rosen, p 18
  14. ^ The Making of the Georgian Nation, Ronald Grigor Suny, p. 4
  15. ^ Cyril Toumanoff, Studies in Christian Caucasian History, p 80
  16. ^ Cyril Toumanoff, Studies in Christian Caucasian History, p 58
  17. ^ The Georgians, David Marshal Lang, p 58
  18. ^ The Georgians, David Marshal Lang, p 59
  19. ^ Cyril Toumanoff, Studies in Christian Caucasian History, p 80
  20. ^ Cyril Toumanoff, Studies in Christian Caucasian History, p 80
  21. ^ Charles Burney and David Marshal Lang, The Peoples of the Hills: Ancient Ararat and Caucasus, p. 38
  22. ^ Cyril Toumanoff, Studies in Christian Caucasian History, p 57
  23. ^ BRAUND, D. , Georgia in antiquity: a history of Colchis and Transcaucasian Iberia 550 BC – AD 562, Oxford University Press, 1996
  24. ^ Kimlik Değişimi! December 13, 2005, Milliyet (Turkish)
  25. ^ "Population by ethnic groups" The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan
  26. ^ Dr. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Milliyet ( Turkish for " nationality " is a major Turkish Daily newspaper founded in 1950. Andrew Andersen, Ph. D. Atlas of Conflicts: Armenia and Karabakh: Territorial Disputes of 1921-22 And Future Territorial Adjustments of 1931

See also

Iranian Georgians are an ethnic group living in Iran Today's Georgia was a subject to the Safavid empire in 17th century and Shah Abbas I relocated Chveneburi (ჩვენებური čveneburi) meaning "of us" in Georgian, is an Autonym of Muslim immigrants of Georgian The culture of Georgia has evolved over the country's long history providing it with a unique national culture and a strong literary tradition based on the Georgian The demographics of Georgia is characterized by two prominent features since independence decline in total population and significant "Georgeanization" of the ethnic composition As of 2007 the population of Turkey stood at 705 million The Turkish population is relatively young with 25 Russia 's area is about 17 million square kilometers (65 million sq Georgian (ka ქართული ენა kartuli ena) is the Official language of Georgia, a country in the Caucasus. Christianity in ancient and feudal Georgia According to tradition when the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world the Apostle The history of Georgia began with the rise of the early Georgian states of Colchis and Iberia, which in c The following is a partial list of prominent people from the Republic of Georgia, arranged chronologically within categories The terms Peoples of the Caucasus and Caucasian peoples indicate two main groups of people in Turkey: Immigrants Georgia ( საქართველო, Sakartvelo) is a Transcontinental country in the Caucasus region situated at the dividing line between

Dictionary

Georgians

-noun

  1. Plural form of Georgian.
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