The Great War of Egrisi: an archaeological and historical overview of Justinian’s 'northern' Persian wars- Dr Nikoloz Murgulia (Georgian National Museum & the Georgian American University, Tbilisi)

This event is jointly hosted by King's Silk Roads and the Friends of Academic Research in Georgia- FaRIG.org

The presentation will examine the origin, development, and decline of the Kingdom of Egrisi (Lazica).

Based on written sources and new archaeological data, the presentation will outline the prerequisites for the emergence of Lazica, its trade and economic centers, and its defensive systems; the relations of Lazica with Byzantium and Sasanian Iran; the causes and consequences of the Great War of Egrisi; the spread of Christianity in Lazica and its relationship with other religions; Christianity as a political instrument in the hands of the kings of Lazica; the weakening and fall of the Kingdom of Lazica.

The presentation will also present the results of recent archaeological research conducted at Nokalakevi-Archaeopolis, Petra-Tsikhisdziri, and Khuntsi Fortress, which have contributed significant new insights into the history of the Kingdom of Egrisi.

Dr Nikoloz Murgulia is the head of Anglo-Georgian expedition to Nokalakevi, a senior scientist at the Georgian National Museum and Associate Professor at the Georgian American University, Tbilisi.

This presentation was prepared with the support of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (SRNSFG) and within the framework of a fundamental research grant “The Kingdom of Egrisi in the 1st-8th centuries AD – A multidisciplinary study” [grant number FR-22-117], awarded by the Foundation.