Duchy of Akhalkalaki

The Duchy of Akhalkalaki (Georgian: ახალქალაქის საერისთავო, referred as the Duchy of Javakheti) was a duchy (saeristavo) in medieval Georgia. Duchy was created by King Leon III of Abkhazia (957–967).

Duchy of Akhalkalaki ახალქალაქის საერისთავო
Duchy of the Kingdom of Georgia
10th–14th century
Location in contemporary Georgia
Capital	Akhalkalaki
Area
• Coordinates	41°24′20″N 43°29′10″E
Historical era	Middle Ages
• Established	10th century
• Disestablished	14th century
Succeeded by Principality of Samtskhe
Today part of	Georgia

History

It was first mentioned on the inscriptions in Kumurdo Cathedral. Until 1021, the Dukes of Javakheti were members of Marushiani family. It passed to the Tmogveli and then the Toreli family. From the 12th to 13th centuries, the Toreli family also owned estates in Tori, Lesser and Inner Kartli. Pressured by the princes of Samtskhe of the Jaqeli dynasty in the 14th century, the Torelis were forced to move to Shida Kartli and the duchy was absorbed into Principality of Samtskhe.^[1]

Rulers

• Zuiai (~964)
• Vache (960 – 70's)
• Zviad (10–11th century)
• Pharsman Tmogveli (1023–1065)
• Varazbakur Toreli (1065 – ?)
• Kakha Toreli (1152)
• Gamrekeli Toreli (1170's – 1191)
• Kakha II Toreli (1191 – ?)
• Shalva Toreli-Akhaltiskheli (? – 1226)
• Gamrekeli III Toreli (1225 – ?)
• Kakha III Toreli (1250 – 70's)
• Gamrekel Ghobiari (13th century)

See also

• Duchy of Tskhumi
• Duchy of Racha

References

1. nplg.gov.ge: ახალქალაქის ერისთავი