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Heirs of the Imereti Kingdom Gaioz Mamaladze
In 15th century unite Georgian kingdom disintegrated. Alexander the 1st, the last great king of united Georgian kingdom (1412 - 1442) had brothers – George and Bagrat and sons –Vakhtang, Demetre, George and David. After Alexander’s death, in 1442, his eldest son Vakhtang the 4th became the king of the united Georgian kingdom. He died without son (1446). He managed to have a battle against Jehan Shah and defeated him.
As we’ve said, Vakhtang the 4thhad the next brother Demetre. Evidently he was died that time. For the king of United Georgia in 1446 became George the 8th – the next brother of Vakhtang and Demetre. (King of united Georgia in 1446 - 1466). Prince Konstantin, the son of Demetre, the future King of Kartli Konstantin the 2nd and the direct ancestor of the Bagrationis of Mukhrani was minor yet.His uncle was bringing him up.
George the 8th used to battle against Kvarkvare the 2nd, atabag of Samtskhe and Bagrat, the son of George, ruler of Kutatisi and his cousin. Bagrat and Kvarkvare defeated George one after another. First, in 1462, Uzun-Hasan-Shah, invited by Kvarkvare defeated king George. Bagrat had taken occasion, pretended to be the king, battled against King George and defeated him near Chikhori. After this he enthroned in Kutatisi.Meanwhile, Atabag Kvarkvare did all his best to separate Samtskhe from the United Georgian Kingdom. He wanted to do state and church separations but in the field of church he had no success, for Georgian church was against Kvarkvare’s aim. George the 8thcould not become reconciled with the betray of Atabag Kvarkvare. So he started to punish betraying subject.In the way he camped near Tavfatavani Lake. That time there was planned to kill the king but Saint Iotham Zedgenidze saved him. He warned the king about the plot but when the king had not believed him, Iotham suggested him to lie in the king’s bed. King George agreed and the next morning Iotham had been found killed in the king’s bed. But it had not saved the state from the disaster.Kvarkvare forestalled George, attacked and took prisoner him. Bagrat had taken occasion again, campaigned to the East and occupied Tbilisi (1466 - 1478).
Kvarkvare disliked this event. He released King George. George had not managed to take back Tbilisi. So he went to Kakheti and became the king there (George the first of Kakheti, 1466-1476). In 1478 the king of Kartli and Imereti became Konstantin the 2nd, son of Demetre – Alexander the 1st’s son. In 1484 he lost Imereti.
Alexander the 2nd, son of Bagrat the 6thmanaged to keep throne of Kutatisi (he died in 1510).Such had been separated United Georgian Kingdom and there where founded kingdoms of Imereti, Kakheti and Kartli and principality of Samtskhe-Saatabago.Kings of Imereti had very weak control under principalities of Western Georgia. Nevertheless, they used to do all their best with provisional successes. Here we must take in consideration that Trabzon-Lazeti, orKhaldea-Lazetiis historical Georgian countries.
King of Imereti Bagrat the 3rd, son of Alexander the 2nd(1510-1565) temporarily invaded Samtskhe but Ottomans defeated the coalition of Georgian kings and princes (Bagrat the 3rd, king of Imereti, Luarsab the 1st, king of Kartli and son-in law of Bagrat and Rostom, prince of Guria) and conquered Samtskhe. Bagrat could not be reconciled with loss of Samtskhe and began campaign against Ottomans. He had not been able to take Samtskhe back but brought the Icon of Atskuri Virgin and delivered it to Kutatisi.
As we speak now about the Bagrationis of Imereti, we’ll name only their direct ancestors ignoring other kings.
George the 3rd, son of Prince Konstantin, grandson of Bagrat the 3rd was King of Imereti in 1605-1639. His son Alexander the 3rd followed him (1639-1660). After Alexander King of Imereti became Bagrat the 4th (1660-1681, from time to time). Alexander the 4th, son of Bagrat became the king in 1683 to 1695. George the 6th, son of Alexander 4thruledin Imertiin 1703-1720 from time to time. We don’t name other kings who died without successors and are not ancestors of modern Bagrationis or Imereti, or who were usurpers (not Bagrationis). Alexander the 5th, son of George the 6th was the king in 1720-1740, 1741-1752. His mother was Rodam, daughter of George the 11th, King of Kartli. Son of Alexander,Solomon the 1st Great followed him. But the direct ancestor of modern Bagrationis of Imereti was not Solomon but his brother prince Bagrat (1741 - 1800). Name of one of his sons was Simon (1771 - ?). Simon had son Rostom (1797- ?). This family resided in village Gvankiti. Prince Simon was not alive at the time of Imereti’s “Church rebellion” in 1819-1820. As for Rostom, he participated in this patriotic revolt. Russia stifled this rebellion very bloody. Some participants had been hung up, others exiled. Rostom and his 8 years old son Simon were among exiled people. Rostom died in exile. Prince Simon (1812 - ?) later returned to his homeland.
In 1845 was born Rostom, son of Simon (date of death is unknown). Sons of Rostom were Simon (1875 - 1951) and Grigol (1885 - 1937). Simon died without son. As for Grigol, Bolsheviks shot him down in 1937. Bolsheviks also killed David Bagrationi, son of Alexander – descendant of prince Bagrat. David Bagrationi had only daughter Nino Bagrationi. After this only two families of Imereti’s Bagrationis were continued by male line. One of them was Michael Bagrationi-Imeretinski, son of George, in emigration. Another one was Irakli Bagrationi, born in 1925. He was the son of Grigol Bagrationi, killed by Bolsheviks. Irakli Bagrationi had very hard life. He was 12 when Bolsheviks killed his father. Mother became ill because of this and died soon. Later Bolsheviks arrested and exiled to Siberia his elder brother Simon, who had not returned from there. Little Irakli cared about family and raised it. The people of village respected him very much as Bagrationi and helped him. Irakli married and restored the family. Michael Bagrationi-Imeretinski died in emigration in 1975. He had only daughters. So the only one male line of Imereti’s Bagrationis is the line of Irakli Bagrationi. Irakli Bagrationi had son David (born in 1948). David’s son is Irakli (born in 1982). David’s daught
ers are Ketevan (married) and Tamar (married). Irakli Bagrationi died in 2012. So, there are two males in the Imereti branch of the Bagrationis –David, son of Irakli, and Irakli –unmarried son of David.
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