| Gurgen I | |
|---|---|
| Prince of Iberia | |
| Reign | 881 – 891 |
| Predecessor | David I |
| Successor | Adarnase IV |
| Duke of Upper Tao | |
| Reign | 867–891 |
| Predecessor | Adarnase II |
| Successor | Adarnase III |
| Died | 891 |
| Issue | Adarnase III of Tao Ashot the Immature |
| Dynasty | Bagrationi |
| Father | Adarnase II of Tao-Klarjeti |
| Mother | Bevreli |
| Religion | Georgian Orthodox Church |
Gurgen I (Georgian:გურგენ I) (died 891) was aGeorgian prince of theBagrationi dynasty, he ascended to the throne ofIberia during a dynastic crisis and assumed the title ofKouropalates. Thanks to a series of diplomatic blunders, Gurgen managed to forge fleeting alliances withByzantine Empire andArmenia, before becoming embroiled in a civil conflict between princes that ended in his death, thus putting an end to thePrincipality of Iberia.
The oldest son of PrinceAdarnase I and his wife Bevreli, daughter ofBagrat I of Abkhazia.[1] Gurgen was baptized by the prominent monkGregory of Khandzta. He inherited from his father the duchy ofUpper Tao, including the residence ofKalmakhi.
In 881, an event abruptly changed the history ofIberia. With the help of Gurgen,[2] PrinceNasra of Tao-Klarjeti murderedKouropalatesDavid I of Iberia in a bid to seize power. However, the Georgian loyalist party, led by LiparitBaghvashi and supported by theAshot I of Armenia, revolted against Nasra to place David's sonAdarnase on the throne.[2] As a result of these complications, Nasra was forced to take refuge inConstantinople,[3] while Gurgen, who had remained in Georgia, was given the title ofKouropalates and confirmed on the throne byByzantine Empire due to Adarnase's minority.
Gurgen, now prince of Iberia andKouropalates,[4] pursued a policy of national reunification. To this end, he allied himself with the Georgian loyalist party andArmenia, which worsened his relations with the Byzantine Empire and the neighbouringKingdom of Abkhazia. In 885, Nasra, without support in Iberia but helped by the Byzantines, left Constantinople and headed for Abkhazia, where he was welcomed by his brother-in-law, KingBagrat I of Abkhazia.[5] Bagrat provided the rebel with numerous auxiliaries and Nasra left to regain the throne inSamtskhe.[5] The young Adarnase, who now claimed the throne and was allied with Gurgen, left to defend himself. The three men met in 888 and the loyalist troops, although outnumbered by the Abkhazians, managed to defeat the enemy and capture Nasra, who was executed atAspindza.[5]
As a result of the division ofNasra’s inheritance, Gurgen might have addedShavsheti andArtaani to his possessions, for we hear from the 18th-century Georgian chroniclerVakhushti of Gurgen having moved his residence there.[6] In the meantimeAdarnase, not being a curopalate and having the example of hisArmenian cousins before him, assumed the title of king.[7]Over the years, relations between Adarnsse and Gurgen increased. The Georgian nobility was once again divided between loyalists and pro-Gurgen, while the influential princeBagrat I of Klarjeti, who was Gurgen's own nephew, strengthened the loyalist troops.[8] In 891, a battle broke out between the two parties and Gurgen was defeated at Mglinavi. He was captured and died of his wounds some time later. According to his will, Gurgen was buried at the monastery ofOpiza restored by him.[6][9]
Gurgen was probably married to a daughter ofSmbat VIII Bagratuni (826–855), thesparapet of Armenia. He left two sons behind:
Thus being a founder of the Bagratid "first house of Tao" which would become extinct with his grandsonGurgen II.[6]
| Preceded by | Prince of Iberia &Curopalates 881–891 | Succeeded by |