Georgia

Georgia is a sovereign state situated in the Caucasus region, bridging Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It boasts a history of human habitation stretching back approximately 1.8 million years, evidenced by the Dmanisi hominins. The region is globally recognized for hosting the world's earliest known sites of winemaking, with archaeological findings indicating practices dating back to around 6000 BCE. Ancient Greek and Roman sources referred to the western part of the territory as Colchis and the eastern part as Iberia.

Adoption of Christianity and Early Kingdoms

The classical period saw the rise of influential Georgian states such as Colchis and Iberia. A pivotal moment in Georgia's history occurred in the early fourth century when Christianity was officially adopted as the state religion of Iberia in 337 AD under King Mirian III. This adoption anchored the region firmly within Rome's cultural and political sphere of influence and contributed to the eventual unification of Georgian lands.

Medieval Flourishing and Decline

Following periods of fragmentation and external pressures, the Bagrationi dynasty rose to prominence, leading to the unification of most Georgian feudal states under Bagrat III, who was crowned King of Georgia in 1010. The Kingdom of Georgia reached its zenith during the 12th and early 13th centuries, a period widely termed the Georgian Golden Age. This era, under rulers like King David IV and Queen Tamar, was characterized by impressive military achievements, territorial expansion, and a significant cultural renaissance in architecture, literature, and philosophy. However, this golden era was eventually curtailed by devastating invasions, including those by the Khwarezmians and Mongols, and later by Timur. The kingdom continued to face relentless attacks from empires such as the Ottomans and Persia, leading to its disintegration by the 15th century.

Russian Annexation and Modern Independence

Exploiting Georgia's internal divisions, neighboring empires exerted increasing influence. By the 16th century, western and eastern regions of Georgia were subjugated by Ottoman and Iranian forces, respectively. Georgian rulers increasingly sought ties with Russia for support. Despite a treaty in 1783 that made eastern Georgia a protectorate of Russia, the Russian Empire ultimately proceeded to annex eastern Georgia in 1801, abolishing its royal dynasty. The western kingdom of Imereti was annexed later. After a brief period of independence following the Russian Revolution, Georgia was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1921. The country seceded from the Soviet Union in April 1991, and has since pursued a pro-Western foreign policy, seeking integration into European and NATO structures, though facing ongoing geopolitical challenges.