2021-05-07 Fri

Bagrat III of the Georgian Bagrationi dynasty was King of Abkhazia from 978 on and King of Georgia from 1008 on. He united these two titles by dynastic inheritance and, through conquest and diplomacy, added more lands to his realm, effectively becoming the first king of the Kingdom of Georgia.

In 1008, Gurgen died, and Bagrat succeeded him as King of Kings of the Georgians, becoming thus the first king of a unified realm of Abkhazia and Iberia. Bagrat’s reign, a period of uttermost importance in the history of Georgia, brought about the final victory of the Georgian Bagratids in the centuries-long power struggles.

Bagrat was also known as a great promoter of Georgian Orthodox culture. Not only did he encourage learning and patronize the fine arts, but he built several churches and monasteries throughout his kingdom with the "Bagrati Cathedral" at Kutaisi, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bagrat III died in 1014 in the Panaskerti Castle in Tao and was entombed in Bedia Cathedral. He was canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church on 22 December 2016, his feast day set for 7 May (NS 21 May).

Depicted here is a Silver dirham of Bagrat III, minted in Tiflis (Tbilisi). Struck between 1008 and 1014

Image Source: Wikipedia.org