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The Kingdom of Lazica (Georgian: ႤႢႰႨႱႨ, Egrisi; Laz: ლაზიკა, Laziǩa; Greek: Λαζική, Lazikḗ), sometimes called Lazian Empire,[2] was a state in the territory of west Georgia in the Roman period, from about the 1st century BC. Created as a result of the collapse of the kingdom of Colchis and the gaining of independence by the tribal-territorial units included in it in 131 AD.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2013) |
Kingdom of Lazica ႤႢႰႨႱႨႱ ႱႠႫႤႴႭ | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 131 AD–697 AD | |||||||||
Kingdom of Lazica in IV-V cc.AD | |||||||||
| Status | Kingdom | ||||||||
| Capital | Archaeopolis | ||||||||
| Common languages | Zan, Old Georgian Greek (religious) | ||||||||
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox (pre-Schism) | ||||||||
| King | |||||||||
• 131 AD | Malassas (first) | ||||||||
• 696/697 | Sergius (last) | ||||||||
| Historical era | Classical antiquity | ||||||||
• Established | 131 AD | ||||||||
• vassal of Roman Empire | 3rd to 5th century | ||||||||
| 541 to 562 AD | |||||||||
• annexation of Lazica by Byzantine Empire | 7th | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 697 AD | ||||||||
| Currency | Antoninianus until IV A.D, later Solidus[1] | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Today part of | |||||||||
In the Svan language, the Svans refer to the Mingrelia (Samegrelo) region as Lazan, La- is the Svan territorial prefix and Lazan means "the land of the Zans".[3]
| This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2024) |
By the mid-3rd century, Lazica was given partial autonomy within the Roman Empire and developed into a kingdom. Throughout much of its existence, it was mainly a Byzantine strategic vassal kingdom that briefly came under Sasanian Persian rule during the Lazic War. The kingdom fell to the Muslim conquest in the 7th century. Lazica in the 8th century successfully repelled the Arab occupation and formed part of the Kingdom of Abkhazia from c. 780, one of the early medieval polities which would converge into the unified kingdom of Georgia in the 11th century.
The parts of the Lazian Empire were Suani, Scymni, Western Abasgia, Eastern Abasgia(Apsilia), Misimiani and their rulers would be appointed by the kings of Lazica with the formally upon the approval of the Byzantine emperor.[4]
In the early 4th century, the Christian eparchy (eastern bishopric) of Pityus was established in this kingdom, and as in neighboring Iberia Christianity was declared as an official religion in AD 319.[5][6] Other ancient episcopal sees in Lazica include Rhodopolis,[7] Saesina,[8] and Zygana.[9] Bishop Stratophilus of Pityus was among the participants of the First Council of Nicaea in 325. The first Christian king of Lazica was Gubazes I; in the 5th century, Christianity was made the official religion of Lazica. Later, the nobility and clergy of Lazica switched from the Hellenic ecclesiastic tradition to the Georgian, and Georgian became the language of culture and education. The Bichvinta Cathedral is one of oldest monuments of Georgian Christian architecture. It was constructed by King Bagrat III of Georgia (978-1014, an Orthodox saint).[10]
The information about the cities of Lazica were preserved in the works of Byzantine historians.[11] The list of cities mentioned in Byzantine sources were:
The most significant fertile and rich area of Lazica was the Rioni river valley. A densely populated part of the territory of Colchis, where most of the Laz cities were located.[12] In the IV-V centuries AD large cities appeared in Lazica such as: Archeopolis, Rhodopolis and Kotayon, and the population of the coastal areas increased, mainly in the areas of Phasis.[13]
The architecture of the fortresses of Lazica, located at the key points of the main trade and military routes from the shores of the Black Sea to Iran, show the influence of Byzantine architecture[11]
Maritime trade played a significant role in the country's economy, the center of which was the port of Phasis.[14] Trade was carried out mainly with Pontus and Bosporus (Crimea), which were under Roman control at the time. Leather, fur and other raw materials, as well as slaves, were exported from the country in large quantities. In exchange, they imported salt, bread, wine, expensive fabrics and weapons.[15] It is believed that the destruction of free trade and the introduction of a monopoly by the Romans in Lazica was one of the reasons for the Lazic war.[15]
The primary currency used in Lazica for trade was the Roman Antoninianus until the 4th century. Afterwards it was replaced by the Byzantine Solidus.[16]
| Ruler | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Malassas | mentioned by Arrian in 131 | vassal of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. |
| 2. Pacorus | a contemporary of the Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | his name is found on a coin issued by him. |
| 3. Gubazes I | attested c. 456 – 466 | |
| 4. Damnazes | ?–521/522 | |
| 5. Tzath I | attested 521/522 – 527/528 | |
| 6. Opsites | dates of reign unknown, likely some time before 541 | |
| 7. Gubazes II | c. 541 – 555 | |
| 8. Tzath II | 556–? | |
| 9. Lebarnicius | c. 662 | mentioned as "patricius of Lazica" in the
Hypomnensticum of Theodosius and Theodore of Gangra |
| 10. Grigor | 670 – c. 675 | |
| 11. Sergius | c. 696/697 |
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