RELİGİOUS IMPORTANCE OF THE TAO-KLARCETİ REGİON AND AN EVALUATİON OF GEORGİAN MANUSCRİPTS

Abstract

Tao-Klarceti is a historical region of Northeast Anatolia used to refer to Artvin, Erzurum, Ardahan and Kars. In Georgian historiography, it has been used to express the south of Georgia, and its political, economic, religious and cultural importance has often been emphasized in historical texts. Church-monastery construction in the region, which started with the Georgian King Vakhtang Gorgasali, increased gradually during the Tao-Klarceti Principality (especially between the IX - XII centuries). According to the information obtained from the work titled "The Life of Grigol Handzta" in the 10th century, the priest who came to Klarceti from Kartli engaged in the construction of monasteries and churches in the region and was responsible for educating students. At the end of the IX century, as a result of the pressure of the Arab administration, Ashot Kurapalat came to Klarceti and established his principality. He and his successors supported the monastic movements of Grigol Handzta and protected the religious life.

The religious architecture in Tao-Klarceti, which gradually increased under the leadership of Ashot, reached its peak when the Bagratli dynasty dominated the region and became stronger. In the Tao-Klarceti region, not only monasteries were used for educational purposes, but also schools and other educational institutions were added to the construction activities. In the system here, Christian faith, philosophy, foreign language education and art education were given. In addition, works of saints were written, original hymns were composed and theological texts were created. The identification of manuscripts that emerged in Tao-Klarceti and their introduction and use in Turkish historiography is an important development in the history of the region.

In this study, the religious importance of Tao-Klarceti for Georgians was emphasized and the manuscripts that emerged between the IX and XVI centuries as a result of the religious education here were listed in catalog form. In addition, the changes that the region has undergone in the historical process and the spread of Christianity among the Georgians are also expressed. At the point of the adoption and spread of Christianity in Georgia, this historical region is a symbol and the manuscripts produced are mostly of religious content. Finally, the manuscripts are a primary source in illuminating the history of the region, determining the names of people and places, and understanding the political and social atmosphere of the period.

Key Words: Turks; Georgians; Tao-Klarceti; historical sources; manuscripts.