History of Georgia (country of Caucasus)

Dmanisi –The newest Georgian sensation. 1.8 million years old, the oldest in Europe human skull of almost perfect shape, was found in Georgia. It was nothing like any of it discovered outside African continent before: Small brain, low forehead, long fangs and small man with long hands. The primitive weapons and tools found nearby were identical to those found in Africa. The discovery in Georgia was that much sensational and controversial, that many scientists suggested “They should put him back where it was found”.

Bronze era- The rise of culture; high quality weapons and tools; Gold, silver, ritual tools, jewelry with expensive stones were approaching the masterpieces.

At the end of II century B.C. began the usage of iron; the tight links with Antic period Greece in the cultural, political and economic fields; the myths about Prometheus and Argonauts;

Creation of state from II millennium, capital of which lied in Kolkhida; Domestic silver money -“Kolkhuri Tetri”.

From the beginning of IV millennium new city-states emerged along the Black Sea shore: Fazisi, Dioskuria (now Sukhumi). Meanwhile significantly strengthened Kolkhida was constantly threatened by the outside invasions, mainly resulted by its geo-political location. Despite of being so-called “Connecting Bridge” all along its rich history between East and West, Georgia was and still is more pro-western, which definitely had great influence on the formation of Georgian culture.

In the III century B.C. the Kingdom of Iberia was established. The king Farnavazi, who has founded royal dynasty, is also known as the Great King who has created first original Georgian Alphabet.

As time passed on new changes were brought by the wind, which has put people before a great discovery and changed their mentality totally. It had opened and flourished human’s hidden nature and shifted towards spiritual freedom- Christianity.

The pioneers of the Christian religion preaching were Andre and Simon. However St. Nino was the first to spread it throughout Georgia. According to the legend Christ’s initial dressing was brought to capital Mtskheta and sacred light has illuminated the area from the sky. The same area was later in eleventh century decorated by the King

Vakhtang Gorgasali (later founded future capital-Tbilisi) with beautiful cathedral which he built during his reigning period

Consequently Bagartioni dynasty came to rule. This period was exceptional as the number of tremendous cathedrals was built in Georgia by Giorgi Khandzteli, which was the key for creation of great respect towards the spiritual and state bodies, lately shrinking the process of Georgian Renaissance.

In the year 1089 16 years old David became a King, ho was later called by people “Builder” as he created the strongest and most prosperous Georgian state, winning legendary battles. At the time Georgian kingdom was one of the most powerful states in the region. Interestingly enough to notice, that such powerful and strong king at the end of his life was tortured by remorse of his sins and has written “Galobani Sinanulisani” (book depicting his private life) and has asked in his will to be buried at entrance of cathedral so everybody who enters the temple stepped on his heart. During the same period Khakhuli cathedral’s St. Mary miraculous icon was drawn, which was decorate with expensive stones donate by the Kind David “The builder”. The cultural centers and contemporary writings were also on the rise-up. (Ikalto, Gelati and Gremi academies were founded).Georgian cathedrals were built in Jerusalem, Anthon, Sin Mountain and literature masterpiece, poem “Vephvistkaosani” written by Shota Rustaveli.

The renaissance period had the astonishing King, the muse for the following generations, Queen Tamar, woman of gorgeous beauty, has always led the army barefooted. Both King David and Queen Tamar were acknowledged as the saints by the Georgian Orthodox church.

Thirteen’s century brought new wave of invaders to the country-Mongolians. A century of battling with them significantly weakened the Georgia Kingdom. Separated to the small kingdoms itself, Georgia was ruled by many Kings, until new great partner emerged – Russia. However, bilateral relations were not the perfect, as the Russia was always reluctant to fulfill its obligations flowing from negotiations between states, which eventually led to the Georgians starting the resistance in the late 1900 and whole 2oth century against Russian influence.

I ndependence of Georgian state did not last longer than from 1918 till 1921; however it regained its sovereignty recently -1991.

The road of Georgia was always that difficult, counting the time from early ancient to nowadays which awakes the question how could such a small country survive? The answer is simple as that – faith. Conquerors never asked Georgians more than denying their faith.