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Abkhazia
Legal basis of statehood and sovereignty
Chapter 2. Statehood of Abkhazia
2.1. Statehood formation
The first Abkhazian kingdom arose under the influence of the Roman empire,
with its direct participation, and existed in the territory of modern Abkhazia
from I century AD, and from then on Abkhazia actually possessed all the
signs of statehood. The early types of states forming Abkhazia were the
"kingdoms" Sanigia, Apsilia and Abasgia, appearing in sources since I century
AD, which covered all the territory of the present Republic of Abkhazia. These
political structures were dependent upon the Roman emperors who appointed local
tsars and had control over them through the seaside settlements Sebastopolis and
Pitiunt, in which the Roman garrisons took residence. In the beginning of II
century Apsils were ruled by Julian, Abasgs by Resmag, Sanigs by Spadag, and
at the change from III-IV centuries Rigvadin reigned in Аbasgia.
After the transfer of the capital of the Roman empire to Constantinople,
political, economic and cultural Roman-Byzantian presence in the area
increased. In the first half of VI century, in connection with the invasion of
Persians and their North Caucasian allies into Colchis, Byzantium made an
attempt to unite proto-Abkhazian (Apsils, Abasgs, Misimianians, etc.) and west
Caucasian (Lazikans, Svans) nationalities within the limits of vassal buffer
formation - the Lazikan kingdom. In Colchis there appeared a situation similar
to that occurring in the middle of XX century – Abkhazia, as an independent
entity, was included in the state of Lazikans (though territorially they were
divided) which, in turn, actually became a part of the Byzantian empire.
Abkhazia as a state declared itself independent for the first time in 545,
and already in 550 it was subordinated by Byzantium. Throughout the following
period of more than 200 years, the territory of Abkhazia was included in the
east Black Sea coast province of the Russian empire and considered as “Roman
territory”, management of which was carried out by imperial logofets (deputies).
In D. Chachhalia's work “the chronicle of the Abkhazian tsars” (2000) names of
these governors operating in the territory of Abasgia (Opsit and Skeparna in VI
century; Anos, Gozar, Justinian, Filiktos, Barnuk, Dimitri, Feodosi and two
Constantines from VII to the beginning of VIII century) and Apsilia (Marin and
Evstafi in first half of VIII century) are given.
Independent Abkhazian statehood arose from the moment when the rule of the
protege of Byzantium, Leon I, began. The Caesar, the Byzantian emperor, in
VIII century granted to the Abkhazian lords, his vassals, the right to sovereign
rule the country. Leon welcomed on his land the governors of Kartli, who were
pursued by armies of Mervan ibn-Mohammed (Mervan-Crewe) to the borders of
Abkhazia, and helped Kartls in the battle of Anakopia. After this, the emperor
of Byzantium, who was interested in expansion of the borders with the
Caucasus, gave Leon the right to rule Abkhazia hereditarily. “Henceforth it is
my hereditary possession from Klisur to the river of the Big Hazaria where
reaches the end of Caucasus”.
So, Abkhazia received its own governor Leon I, the tsar of the newly-formed
Abkhazian kingdom, later occupying a considerable part of Transcaucasia.
Approximately in VIII century, the Abkhazian tsars moved to the east of
Transcaucasia, and seized regions of Central Transcaucasia up to the borders
of Albania. Tao-Klardjeti’s Bagratids (the owners of Kakhetia), the emir of
Tiflis, and Armenian tsars all took part in this struggle. The definitive
victory went to the Abkhazian tsars who seized and incorporated almost all of
Kartli. Kartlis Tshovreba says that “at this time Abkhazia was the only part of
Caucasus which due to its own safety and fertile soil promoted physical and
moral strengthening of its tsars”. Leon I occupied Mingrelia, Imeretia and all
space to the Suramsky ridge, and based a fortress called Kota (Kutysh,
Kutatis, Kutais) on the river Rioni. He named this state “Metropolia of
Abkhazia” and divided it into districts: 1) actual Abkhazia, 2) Tskhom (from
the river Inguri to Alania), 3) Bedia, 4) Guria, 5) Ratcha-Lekhum, 6) Svan,
7) Tsenis-Tskhali to the Suramsky ridge and to the south along the river Rioni.
With him, the dynasty ruling this territory for two centuries commenced.
In VIII century in the territory of central Transcaucasia, an Arab caliphate
dominated. All princedoms paid a huge tribute to Arabs. Abkhazia remained out
of reach of them, and the victory over Arabs at the walls of the main Abasg
fortress Anakopia promoted a strengthening of the new state. In the end,
Abkhazia as an independent country was established in VIII century. The nephew
of Leon I, Abkhazian tsar Leon II, was the founder and the builder of the
sovereign Abkhazian state., Other princedoms of Transcaucasia at that time, and
especially Kartli, took no part in the formation of the Abkhazian state,
partly because of the absence of their own statehood.
At the end of VIII century Leon II, having taken advantage of the weakening
of empire and strengthening of the Khazar kaganat, declared independence and
transferred the capital of the Abkhazian kingdom to ancient Kutais, which
represented the natural centre of the western Transcaucasia.
According to Kartlis Tshovreba, this was the peak moment of history in the
formation of the Abkhazian (not Kartvelian or Imeretian, and especially not
"Georgian") kingdom: “Having established this, Leon, having seized all Egrisi,
named it not Egrisi, but Abkhazia, and divided this Egrisi, and henceforth
Abkhazia, into eight eristavstvos (princedoms). That Leon assigned
Abkhazia to himself and ruled (it), and after a safe reign died in 806
(year) of Christian (era)”.
Kartlis Tshovreba informs us that later, at the beginning of X century,
Abkhazian tsars Constantine and George gained the next territories, including
Kartli, Kakheti and Ereti, thereby incorporating all of western and eastern
Transcaucasia into the state structure. The Abkhazian kingdom blossomed at the
time of George II, in the middle of X century, having incorporated a part of
modern east Georgia. In X-XII centuries Abkhazians played the leading role in
the creation of the Abkhazian kingdom, formed due to dynastic union and the
announcement of its leader as the representative of the Tao-Klardjeti dynasty
of Bagrat III, the nephew of the childless Abkhazian tsar Feodosi the blind.
During that time Abkhazia in the southeast bordered Armenia.
In our opinion, this period in the evolution of Abkhazia can be divided into
two parts, the first of which (before the reign of Leon II) is an epoch of the
formation of Abkhazian statehood, and the second an epoch of the Abkhazian
kingdom. This kingdom, arising at the end of VIII century and existing under
this name, as confirmed in history annals (and by Georgian historians,
who do not forget to note in brackets – “the Georgian kingdom”), throughout two
centuries covered considerable territory in Transcaucasia. Following vigorous
internal and foreign policies, it became amongst the largest states in the
region, simultaneously solving questions of difficult international mutual
relations with Armenian Bagratids and with rising new princedoms Tao-Klardjeti,
Kakheti, Ereti, etc.
As R. Honelia notes, during this period there was actually a struggle for
hegemony over Transcaucasia; all policy of Abkhazia was directed to the east,
and in this process she competed first of all with the Armenian kingdom, which
carried out a similar policy and at times achieved considerable success. So, at
the beginning of X century tsar Ashot I (Bagratid) seized Kartli and Imeretia
and became “the Prince of Princes”.
After Ashot, Sombat (Smbat in the Armenian transcription) attached some more
princedoms to the borders of the Caucasian ridge, and the Abkhazian tsars (till
898) undertook a dynastic marriage between Prince Musheg (son of Sombat) and
the Abkhazian Princess (daughter of Abkhazian tsar Constantine). This meant a
close relationship with Armenian Bagratids, and the beginning of a new dynasty
in the Abkhazian kingdom. The presence during this period of a common border
between the Abkhazian and Armenian kingdoms on the Suramsky ridge is assumed.
With the weakening of the Armenian kingdom after Arabs in 901 seized Armenia,
“in 904 entered Constantine, the tsar of Abkhazia, who both took hold of Kartlia
and became the enemy of the Armenian tsar Sombat” (Kartlis Tshovreba Vol..1, P.
262).
In the war with Sombat and his allies the Abkhazian tsar Constantine suffered
defeat, but, despite this, proceeding from the internal political situation in
the region, Sombat returned seized lands to Constantine later. Having returned
home to Kutais from captivity, Constantine began to rule the Abkhazian kingdom
autocratically.
Thus, for all the period before the capture by Abkhazians of central
Transcaucasia, and during the existence of the Abkhazian kingdom, Kartvelian
tribes constantly depended upon Arabs, Persians, and Khazars, or were a part of
the Abkhazian or Armenian kingdoms. They lacked not only statehood, but also
independence, throughout five centuries until the disintegration of the
Abhaz-Imeretian kingdom.
Rivalry in the realisation of effusive plans occurred not only with the
Armenian tsars. Tao-Klardjeti’s Kuropalat Adarnase, being the father-in-law of
the Abkhazian tsar, pursued his own political ends and acted on the side of
Sombat against tsar Constantine. In 888 Adarnase proclaimed himself “the
Kartvelian tsar” and put forward claims for Kartli and all eastern
territory, and for his superiority in the system of these kingdoms and
princedoms. Nevertheless, as I.A.Djavahashvili notes in “History of the Georgian
people”, Kartli remained a component of the Abkhazian kingdom. Having kept
good relations with Constantine, Sombat was able, after Arabs had seized
Armenia and Kartli, to find protection in Abkhazia, to which many inhabitants of
the country escaped during this period. Moreover, Abkhazians managed to show
such resistance to Arabs, that the latter did not manage to subdue the
Abkhazian kingdom (except for Kartli), as the Abkhazian army at that time had
already been equipped and armed in the Byzantian manner. Later, in 920 Abkhazia
rendered military assistance to Ashot II during the last major battle with
Arabs. Constantine, having expelled the rest of the Arab military garrisons from
Kartli, restored the status of the Abkhazian kingdom in central Transcaucasia.
Kahetian governor Kvirike recognised himself as the vassal of the Abkhazian
tsar, and they began to struggle together against Ereti where the Abkhazian
kingdom was then established. Henceforth, domination and advantage appeared in
the hands of the Abkhazian tsars, and Constantine III became one of the most
powerful sovereigns on the Abkhazian throne.
As a result of military opposition by possessors of various princedoms and
kingdoms in Transcaucasia, the Armenian line of Bagratids received priority
status, due to which the Abkhazian kingdom under its aegis was strengthened.
Bagrat III, who represented the Armenian line, and formerly the Persian line of
Khanaenians from Tao-Klardjeti, came to power. His mother was Abkhazian, i.e. he
had nothing in common with the Kartvelian tribe. His kingdom is quite often
called Abkhaz-Kartvelian because Bagrat III subdued Kartls as a result of wars
and extended his power to their territory, having thereby accepted the title
“The tsar Abkhazian and Novelissimus all East” which was confirmed by a
parchment roll dated 1058 from Tiflis church repository “Mkhedruli”. Immediately
after a victory over Kartvelians, the following memorable inscription devoted to
this event was cut in a temple in Kutais, the capital of the Abkhazian
kingdom, in 1003: “ Oh, Tsar, ruling all tsars, extol powerful Bagrat,
kuropalat, the tsar of Abkhazians and Kartvelians “. This inscription confirming
the gain of a princedom of Kartli by the Abkhazian tsars is represented by
Georgian historians as the creation of " the Abhaz-Kartvelian kingdom”, though
this does not correspond to reality.
Successors of Bagrat representing the elite of other princedoms did not keep
this name, and during the subsequent period it carried the name “kingdom
Abkhaz-Imeretian”, a kingdom of Armenians and Iverians. Miriam, mother of
Bagrat IV, had the title of the tsarina of Abkhazians and Armenians. The
appurtenance of the subsequent tsars - Bagratids - to the Abkhazian line and
imperial elite is confirmed by the text on the coins of Bagrat IV – “Christ,
glorify Bagrat, the tsar of Abkhazians and Novelis”.
Confirming his lawful accession to power, Bagrat III produced the manifesto
known as “Divan of the Abkhazian tsars” in which he lists his predecessors on
the Abkhazian throne. He gives 20 names of tsars and the years of their reigns
(for the whole period from VII - the end of IX century) and continues: “And
after these, God wished - and I, Bagrat Bagrationi, the son of blissful Gurgen ,
the son of the daughter of the Abkhazian tsar George, have seized the country
of Abkhazia, my mother’s inheritance, and I will reign for the time God wills!”
On coins of his period is engraved “Bagrat the Tsar of Abkhazians”. His reign is
marked by the unification of all inherited territories, and a political,
economic and cultural uplift of the Abkhazian kingdom. In 1001 he received the
title of Kuropalat from Byzantian emperor Vasily II. In the list of his
possessions Kartli is registered also.
With the accession of Bagrat III, the Tao-Klardjeti dynasty came to power in
the country, and Kartvelians who were subdued and incorporated into the
Abkhazian kingdom gradually began to represent a certain proportion of the
population. This situation could have led to a regeneration of the Abkhazian
kingdom. The most influential aristocratic clan of Abkhazian origin, nicknamed
Abazasdze (or sons of Abaza, Abkhaz) in the beginning of XI century headed
opposition and led a vigorous offensive against tsar Bagrat IV for the purpose
of obtaining power. The political status of Abkhazia was above the state
formations inherited by Bagrat III. This state throughout several centuries
still carried the name "Abkhazian", and its capital until the second quarter of
XII century would be Kutais. Abkhazia became a foundation of the new, larger
state which inherited the political, economic and cultural achievements of
former Abkhazia.
Transfer of the capital of the Abkhazian kingdom, firstly from primordial
Abkhazian centre Anakopia to Kutais, in the territory occupied by Mingrelians,
and later to Tiflis, lowered the influence of Abkhazian culture and decreased
administrative influence on commoners and the nobility within princedoms and
kingdoms. The self-created national elite advanced their rulers to the throne,
therefore there was a replacement of the Abkhazian tsars by tsars from
Tao-Klardjeti (a branch of the Armenian tsars), and later by rulers from
Imeretian and Kartvelian dynasties.
Let's consider how modern Georgian history treats these events. From M.
Miansarov's "Chronicles" it can be seen that Bagratids, the Armenian rulers from
787 AD, sat on the Kartlian throne and in other princedoms of Transcaucasia,
yet it is stated that “Bagratids enter on the Georgian throne for a second
time”, which is certainly untrue. Firstly, there was no invitation to rule.
Ordinary capture of territory took place, as a result of which rule passed to
the Armenian lords. Local tribes and princedoms recognised them as their tsars.
Secondly, “the Georgian throne” is a mythical concept thought up by later
historians, as time and again it has been stated that during that period no
Georgians or Georgian kingdom existed.
Moreover, the beginning of the reign of the Bagratid dynasty can only be
historically accurate since the time of family connection of tsars of the
Abkhazian state, occupying practically all territory of central and western
Transcaucasia, with Armenian Bagratids. In modern Georgian historical materials,
very little is spoken about the existence of the Abkhazian kingdom in this
territory or about reigns of the Abkhazian tsars. Apparently from the text of
"Chronicles", instead of research into the existence of the Abkhazian kingdom
from 780 to 1003, after which, according to many Georgian historians, the change
to the Kingdom of Abkhazians and Kartvelians occurred, this period (200 years
plus) was deliberately omitted, and instead was devoted to Armenia. But to hide
the truth is difficult, therefore, for example, information on the Abkhazian
tsar Leo IV suddenly emerges.
M. Miansarov in "Chronicles" states: “since 1089 - the beginning of the reign
of Georgian tsar David III the Restarter”5. Actually, at the end of XI - the
beginning of XII century David IV the Builder ruled. He was not Georgian by
definition; his accession occurred in Kutais - capital at that time of the
Abhaz-Imeretian kingdom; he was related to a descendant of Abhaz-Tao-Klardjeti
Bagratids. Ruling at the end of X century (he died in 1001), tsar David III the
Restarter was also from the Tao-Klardjeti Bagratids, governors of the
Abhaz-Imeretian kingdom. He conquered Tiflis, which for a long time had been in
the hands of Moslems (thereby winning Kartli and Kakhetia from the Arabs, and
again attaching them to the Abhaz-Imeretian kingdom).
According to M. Miansarov, in 1139 “Georgian tsar Dimitri I devastates the
city of Ganzhe (Gandzha), and in 1184 - 1212 tsarina Tamara defeats the
Armenians, Turks and Persians, and all mountain tribes submit”. But neither
Dimitri nor Tamara represented a Kartli dynasty, and, especially, they were not
Georgian tsars. All of these from the Armenian Bagratid dynasty, related
to the Abkhazian Leonids, owned eastern provinces of Transcaucasia as a result
of successful invasions. After 1225, following the ruin of Tiflis by Djelal
ad-Din Khorezmshakh, the next loss for Kartli occurred when it no longer
benefited from the power of the Abkhaz-Imeretian kingdom, which once again
confirms the negligible role of a princedom of Kartli in the functioning of
the Abkhazian or Abkhaz-Imeretian kingdom.
5 M.Miansarov made an appreciable error - David IV the Builder ruled from
1073 to 1125. SES. P. 358.
In 1239 disintegration of the Abkhazian kingdom began, with the invasion of
Mongol-Tatar hordes accelerating this process. By the beginning of 1240 Mongols
had conquered Azerbaijan and the eastern part of an incorporated kingdom
(including Kartli), and by 1243 all Armenia had been conquered by them. From
then on the given territories were occupied by nomads, and the people of
central Transcaucasia rendered tribute to Mongols, and provided soldiers
for their army and slaves for the markets. Such a situation actually existed
till the end of XIV century. During the same period, in 1323 the Mingrelian,
Gurian, Svan and Abkhazian eristavstvos (princedoms) declared themselves
independent. By 1469 in the territory of the former Abkhaz-Imeretian kingdom
three independent kingdoms were formed: Kartli, Kakhetia and Imeretia, and
independent Ahaltsikhski atabekstvo, between which there were constant wars.
Abkhazia during this period avoided invasion by the Mongolian Khans, and kept
its independence in the management of its own territory. As before, it
represented accurately defined independent political formation.
So, during four and a half centuries (X - the middle of XIV centuries)
Abkhazia was included within an incorporated kingdom (latterly existing purely
formally) which some modern sources name Georgia, and others the Kingdom of
Abkhazia and Kartvelia. The first name is completely incorrect, and the last,
as we have shown, is inexact as this state formation was the successor of the
Abkhazian kingdom and Abkhazia was the principal part of it. Tsars of the
Abkhaz - Tao-Klardjeti dynasties ruled it, and the cultural, economic,
and political centre was gradually displaced into Tiflis, in the eastern
territories. At this time it subordinated a considerable part of the Armenian
lands, territories of northern Azerbaijan, and some mountain tribes of the north
Caucasus.
Consideration of this period of Abkhazian history shows that the state of
Abkhazia was created independently on the primordial earth. Throughout several
centuries the Abkhazian state was the strongest among its neighbours. We will
underline for comparison that Kiev Russia arose in IX century, the Polish
state in X century, and the English kingdom in XI century, so Abkhazian
statehood is older than these states participating in world politics.
Aggressive policy of the Abkhazian tsars finally led to the Abkhazian
kingdom, occupying territory of practically all modern Georgia, breaking up
(like the Roman empire) into separate princedoms.
As later historians, for example tsar Vakhtang and P. Iosselian explained:
“Georgia was usually called Kartli, which in 1469, existing as an incorporated
kingdom, definitively broke up into a number of independent kingdoms and
eristavstvos (princedoms)... From this moment each of these state formations was
independent and ruled by its own princes. All of them kept their independence
till XIX century”.
Tsar Vakhtang IV (1703-1724), who edited and added to the annalistic
collection Kartlis Tskhovreba created on the basis of legends and historical
materials, considers that with the disintegration of the Abkhazian or
Abkhaz-Imeretian kingdom there appeared an idea of the association of Kartl
tribes, which he introduced. Historical errors have been continuing since that
moment. Diligence of Georgian patriots during ХIХ-ХХ centuries, to have their
own history released from historic facts undesirable to them, has led to the
majority of events in Abkhazian history having received tendentious
explanation. Therefore the historical shape of the centuries-old Abkhazian state
has been deformed. Some Russian scientists helped in this as well. Academician
N. J. Marr in 1912 said: “in Abkhazia, in a broad sense of this word, the new
Georgian state has revived” and “the history of Abkhazians is the beginning of
the history of Georgia”.
Abkhazian researchers at times also distort terms, and names of kingdoms and
princedoms of Transcaucasia. The work of the historian G. A. Amichba contains
equally important errors, characteristic of both Georgian and Abkhazian
historians. Citing quotations from publications describing events of VI-XVI
centuries, the author gives them in two variants – with and without quotation
marks. Where inverted commas occur, there is no mention of "Georgia" as such
(which is the valid historic fact). Only Kartli, Colchis, Kakhetia etc. are
spoken about. But where inverted commas are absent, for an unknown reason the
terms "Georgia" and "Georgians" appear. They are presented not only as an
analogue for Sakartvelo (Kartli-Kakhetia), but also transferred to the earlier
independent state of Colchis or Lazika, and to the later independent states of
Mingrelia, Svanetia, Guria, Imeretia, and also Abkhazia. To the real historian
it is inadmissible to deform history either intentionally or involuntarily.
Similar errors are characteristic of other Abkhazian historians, for example I.
Damenia who writes: “In historical sources the term “Sakartvelo”, meaning united
Georgia, occurs for the first time only in XI century. By the same time the
Georgian nationality is also consolidated”. The instances of free interpretation
of historical facts are inadmissible.
About 1325 Bagratids, ruling in an incorporated kingdom, actually
recognised Abkhazian line Chachba-Sharvashidze as a ruling family of Abkhazia,
and in 1462 the representative of this line was confirmed by the prince of
Abkhazia. In an old charter concerning Abkhazian sovereign princes and the
resettlement of Apsua in Samurzakan the following appears:
“During the reign of tsarina Tamar, Abkhazia was ruled by Dogato
Sharvashidze. His descendants living in ХVI-ХVII centuries, three Sharvashidze
brothers named Rostom, Djikeshia and Kvapu, sons of Zegnak, separated. The elder
Rostom took the first land, Abkhazia, located from the river Bzyb to the river
Kodor; the middle brother Djikeshia received possession from the river Kodor
to the river Galidzga, which in the Abkhazian language is even today called
Abzhua, which means the average country or village; and youngest Kvapu from the
river Galidzga to the river Enguri. This last territory, because of troubled
times, became more deserted and consequently Kvapu transferred from Bzyb, that
is from the possession of his eldest brother, some families of princes and
aznaurs, namely: Anchabadze, Emukhvari, Inalishvili, Margania, Zvanbaia,
Lakerbaia and Akirtava, among whom he divided these lands.For himself he left
villages: Bedia, Pakhulani, and Borbalo (modern village Koki). Kvapu died
leaving his son Murzakan, who equipped this territory, named it Samurzakan
after his own name of Murzakan, and ruled in it.
After Murzakan his son Khutunia ruled, and then Khutunia’s sons Leon and
Solomon. The elder of them, Leon, became the governor of Samurzakan, and Leon
and Solomon divided fiscal villages. The senior Leon received the
village of Bedia which his sons own till now, and Solomon obtained
Borbalo (Koki). The village of Pakhulani remained undivided, at the disposal of
the elder brother Leon as a summer [residence] of governors of Samurzakan. From
Solomon there come six sons: Manuchar, the last governor of Samurzakan,
Bezhan, Sorekh and others”. (The Site Abkhazia, doc. № 127).
In XII and XIII centuries Tskhum (Sukhum) served as the residence of
Abkhazian sovereign princes Chachba-Sharvashidze. This family ruled Abkhazia
until the middle of ХIХ century. Gradually princes Chachba achieved full
political, economic and church independence from an incorporated kingdom. It had
been reached after an intense struggle of the people with Megrel and Imeretian
governors.
“The Abkhazian princedom” - so Abkhazia was officially named throughout XV -
middle ХIХ centuries. The history of the given period is filled by struggle
of the people and ruling princes for the preservation of independence, and when
it was impossible to obtain such status, to defend the relative independence of
the state. In this struggle there were limits. It is characterised in XVI
century by the strong influence of Genoa merchants whose trading stations were
disseminated all along the Abkhazian coast. Restoration of wide Mediterranean
connections had not only economic, but also political and cultural value.
Abkhazia had communication with European civilisation, the national coin was
minted in its capital Sukhum, and European culture extended among the people.
But in the same century Turkish presence also accrued. On the boundary of
ХVI-ХVII centuries, Abkhazia found itself with a strong dependence upon the
Ottoman empire.
Connections with Europe were severed, and ХVII-ХVIII centuries saw the time
of Turkish domination. This was a time of increasing political connections
with the Ottoman empire, whose government, with a view towards expansion of its
influence in the Caucasus, had focused upon Abkhazia, considering its special
position in the region. Turkish garrisons stood in Sukhum-Kale and Anakopia,
and Turkish galleys travelled along the coast. Resisting aggressors, the
Abkhazian population many times organised revolts which were severely
smothered. A proportion of Abkhazians accepted Sunni Islam. But even in these
conditions the Abkhazian princes retained a certain independence in the
management of the country. Unlike Adjaria which was included administratively
into the structure of the Ottoman empire, Abkhazia remained an autonomous
(vassal) state.
So, summing up the first stage of Abkhazian statehood, it is possible to
say:
1. The Abkhazian state, localised in a limited territory practically within
the borders of modern Abkhazia, was able by VIII century to strengthen its
political, economic and military structure to such a degree that it was allowed
by means of diplomacy and military force to create a new state formation – “the
Abkhazian kingdom”. It united numerous kingdoms and princedoms which were
situated during that time in Transcaucasia, and then expanded its borders to
territories of adjacent states such as Persia, Turkey, etc.
2. Abkhazian statehood was formed in VII century AD on the basis of, and with
assistance from, the Byzantian empire.
3. Throughout two centuries the Abkhazian kingdom was ruled by Abkhazian
tsars. Their reign was intelligent and active, which allowed the country to
remain within its former borders, to resist the invasion of enemies, and to
support the well-being of the peoples and maintain calm within the country.
4. The peoples who were conquered by Abkhazians or voluntarily joined
the Abkhazian kingdom expressed humility to the Abkhazian tsars, which
testified to the state wisdom and political maturity of those sovereigns.
5. The political, administrative and military elite of the Abkhazian nobility
was constantly under the influence of an environment of numerous
representatives of other ethnic and national groups. In these conditions, an
assimilation of different anthropological and language groups within the
population therefore took place as a result of noble-dynastic marriages. It is
known that the wife of Leon I was Kartvelian, and the mother of Leon II was
Khazarian. Such interaction also occurred at lower levels of the Abkhazian
nobility and led to a time at which it was difficult to define the nationality
of inheriting tsars. There arose a situation when Kartvelian princes, and also
grandees – Colchians or Kartvelians - began to have Abkhazian surnames. Such
confusion had no importance during this period, although this fact is now
actively explored by some Georgian historians, trying to prove that Abkhazians
have no relation to the Abkhazian kingdom.
6) Princedoms or kingdoms of central Transcaucasia, including Kartli, had no
relevance to the occurrence, origin or formation of the Abkhazian state.
Shamba T., Neproshin А. Abkhazia: Legal basis of statehood and sovereignty. М: Open Company "In-Oktavo", 2005, 240 pages.
Далее читайте:
Абхазы -
(самоназвание апсуа) автохтонное население Кавказа.
Абхазия
(краткая историческая справка).
Исторические лица Абхазии (биографический справочник).
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