THE EURASIAN STEPPE EMPIRE AND GEORGIA: THE TÜRK AND THE WESTERN TÜRK KHAGANATES IN THE GEORGIAN PRIMARY SOURCES

LERI TAVADZE

LERI TAVADZE PhD in History, Assistant Professor Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. Georgia, Tbilisi, Chavchavadze ave. 1, 0179 http://orcid.org/0009-0008-5963-4565

Abstract

he Türk Khaganate emerged as a vast Eurasian Empire in the mid-sixth century, expanding toward the Caucasus. Competing with the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) and Sasanian Iran (Persia), the Türks quickly achieved global political significance.

This article examines Türk history and their relationship with Georgia using Georgian sources. The eighth-century Georgian author Juansher Juansheriani was well-informed about the Türk Khaganate of the 580s and onward. He specifically mentions the Western Türks in connection with the events of the 620s, when Byzantine Emperor Heraclius allied with their ruler against Persia. The phrase "miiqvana dasavlet̕it̕ t̕urk̕ni" in Juansher's text is proposed to refer to the Western Türks. The Georgian historian is well aware of the title borne by the Khagan of the Türks, but mostly refers to their ruler as King (mep̕e) of the Türks. Juansher's account is corroborated by other Georgian sources: The Chronicle of the "Conversion of Kartli" (7th c.) and Sumbat, son of David (11th c.).

The article chronologically analyzes the events of 625–630 using Georgian and Armenian primary sources, and secondary literature. It addresses the agreement between the Byzantines and the Türks to divide the South Caucasus. This treaty included a marriage alliance but was violated by the Byzantines once their Türk ally lost power at home. This breach prompted Shad, son of the Western Turk Khagan, to attack a region under Byzantine influence, but he was defeated by the locals. His father's subsequent loss of power and life in a civil war forced the Western Türks to abandon the South Caucasus.

Keywords: Byzantium; Empire; Eurasia; Georgia; Khaganate; Sasanian Iran; Türks.

Author Biography

LERI TAVADZE, PhD in History, Assistant Professor Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. Georgia, Tbilisi, Chavchavadze ave. 1, 0179

The Türk Khaganate emerged as a vast Eurasian Empire in the mid-sixth century, expanding toward the Caucasus. Competing with the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) and Sasanian Iran (Persia), the Türks quickly achieved global political significance.

This article examines Türk history and their relationship with Georgia using Georgian sources. The eighth-century Georgian author Juansher Juansheriani was well-informed about the Türk Khaganate of the 580s and onward. He specifically mentions the Western Türks in connection with the events of the 620s, when Byzantine Emperor Heraclius allied with their ruler against Persia. The phrase "miiqvana dasavlet̕it̕ t̕urk̕ni" in Juansher's text is proposed to refer to the Western Türks. The Georgian historian is well aware of the title borne by the Khagan of the Türks, but mostly refers to their ruler as King (mep̕e) of the Türks. Juansher's account is corroborated by other Georgian sources: The Chronicle of the "Conversion of Kartli" (7th c.) and Sumbat, son of David (11th c.).

The article chronologically analyzes the events of 625–630 using Georgian and Armenian primary sources, and secondary literature. It addresses the agreement between the Byzantines and the Türks to divide the South Caucasus. This treaty included a marriage alliance but was violated by the Byzantines once their Türk ally lost power at home. This breach prompted Shad, son of the Western Turk Khagan, to attack a region under Byzantine influence, but he was defeated by the locals. His father's subsequent loss of power and life in a civil war forced the Western Türks to abandon the South Caucasus.

Keywords: Byzantium; Empire; Eurasia; Georgia; Khaganate; Sasanian Iran; Türks.