| Demetrius I | |
|---|---|
| King of Kings of Georgia | |
.jpg) Demetrius I byMichael Maglakeli, fromMatskhvarishi, 1140. | |
| King of Georgia (more...) | |
| 1st Reign | 1125–1154 |
| Predecessor | David IV |
| Successor | David V |
| 2nd Reign | 1155–1156 |
| Predecessor | David V |
| Successor | George III |
| Born | c. 1093 |
| Died | 1156 (aged 62–63) Mtskheta |
| Burial | |
| Issue Among others | David V George III of Georgia |
| Dynasty | Bagrationi |
| Father | David IV |
| Mother | Rusudan ofArmenia |
| Religion | Georgian Orthodox Church |
Damiane | |
|---|---|
| Died | 1156 |
| Venerated in | Georgian Orthodox Church |
| Feast | 23 May |
Demetrius I (Georgian:დემეტრე I,romanized:demet're I) (c. 1093 – 1156), of theBagrationi dynasty, was aGeorgian monarch who ruled theKingdom of Georgia from 1125 to 1154 and again from 1155 until his death in 1156. He is also known as apoet.
Regarded as asaint by theOrthodox Church, hisfeast day is celebrated onMay 23 in theEastern Orthodox liturgical calendar.[1]
Demetrius was born in 1093, the eldest son of KingDavid IV of Georgia by his first wife,Rusudan,[2] an Armenian woman.[3] Around 1107, David IV divorced Queen Rusudan in order to cement hisalliance with theKipchaks. He then marriedGurandukht, the daughter of the Kipchak chieftainOtrok.[4]
In 1117, King David sent Demetrius on apunitive expedition toShirvan,[5] where the young commander quickly earned a reputation for his remarkable military prowess. His forces captured Kaladzori Castle (later known as Alberd, nowAgdash[6]) and returned home with captives and significant wealth, cementing Demetrius's growing fame.[7][8]
The following year, Gurandukht gave birth to a son,Vakhtang, which threatened Demetrius' position as the heir to the throne.
On August 12, 1121, during theBattle of Didgori against theSeljuk Empire, King David IV divided the Georgian army into two, with his son Demetrius leading a hidden reserve. TheGeorgians feigned defection, causing confusion in the enemy camp. As their leadership faltered, Demetrius launched a flanking attack, breaking the Seljuk forces. This, combined with the main assault, led to their disarray and retreat. Demetrius pursued the enemy for three days, securing a decisive victory that expanded Georgia's influence in the region.[9]
In 1125,[10] According to theLife of King Demetre, David IV proclaimed his son co-ruler of Georgia and crowned him with his own hands. He declared that his son Demetrius, through his wisdom, chastity, bravery, and handsome appearance, would rule Georgia successfully.[11]
Already in 1125, he had to expel theSeljuks from the fortress ofDmanisi, which controlled one of the accesses toTbilisi from the south.[11]
In 1125Manuchihr, who was Demetrius' brother-in-law, regained control of westernShirvan. And in 1126, theMuslim population of Shirvan rebelled with the support of theSeljuks. In 1129-30, Demetrius reached a compromise with the support of hissister, Shirvan was again divided into two parts, theChristian part was incorporated into Georgia and the border being the Tetritsqali, while Manuchihr was appointed as theemir of eastern Shirvan and recognized Georgia's vassalage.[12]
In 1130, the ruler of theShah-Armens launched an attempt to oust Georgians from northern and central Armenia. Demetrius had to come to terms and give up Ani to theShaddadids on terms ofvassalage. They agreed that theCathedral of Ani should have remained a Christian site and Georgia could intervene to protect the Christians. However, a stand-off continued for two decades.[13]
In 1130, his half-brotherVakhtang rebelled against the king. He was supported by great feudal lordIvane Abuletisdze, tried to overthrow Demetrius from the throne but the king captured and punished the conspirators and Vakhtang was captured, blinded and cast in prison where he apparently died shortly afterwards.[14][15]
In 1139, Demetrius raided the city ofGanja inArran. He brought theiron gate of the defeated city to Georgia and donated it toGelati Monastery atKutaisi. Despite this brilliant victory, Demetrius could hold Ganja only for a few years.[16][17] In reply to this, the sultan of theEldiguzids attacked Ganja several times, and in 1143 the town again fell to the sultan. According toMkhitar Gosh, Demetrius ultimately gained possession of Ganja, but, when he gave his daughter in marriage to the sultan, he presented the latter with the town as dowry, and the sultan appointed his own emir to rule it.[18]
Fadl's successor,Fakr al-Din Shaddad, aShaddadid emir of Ani asked forSaltuk's daughter's hand, however Saltuk refused him. This caused a deep hatred in Shaddad towards Saltuk. In 1154 he planned a plot and formed a secret alliance with Demetrius. While a Georgian army waited in ambush, he offered tribute toSaltukids, ruler ofErzerum and asked the latter to accept him as a vassal. In 1153–1154, EmirSaltuk II marched on Ani, but Shaddad informed Demetrius of this. Demetrius marched to Ani, defeated and captured the emir. At the request of neighbouring Muslim rulers and released him for a ransom of 100,000dinars, paid by Saltuk's sons in law and Saltuk swore not to fight against the Georgians.[19]
In 1154, Demetrius gave his lastdaughter, whose name is unknown, in marriage toIziaslav II of Kiev. Iziaslav died shortly afterwards and no political alliance emerged between theKingdom of Georgia andKievan Rus'.[18]
In the 1140s, Georgian nobles sensed an opportunity when it became apparent that Demetrius had disinherited his eldest son David in favour of the younger,George. Those who had supported Demetrius' younger brother, PrinceVakhtang, now opposed Demetrius' unprecedented disinheritance of Prince David.[18] A first coup attempt failed in 1150, but in 1154 David's coup against his father succeeded, Demetrius was banished to a monastery and became amonk, receiving the monastic nameDamian (Damianus), while his rebellious son ascended the throne asDavid V.[11]
However, Davit V died suddenly six months after becoming king.[20] According toVardan Areveltsi, David was poisoned bySumbat I andIvane II Orbeli, whoOrbelis with PrinceGeorge, or Demetrius, or both had made an agreement that would appoint them asAmirspasalars.[21][22] According to precedence and law, after David V's death, his young son, PrinceDemna should have inherited the throne. But Demetrius was restored to the throne, and he crowned his younger son, George, as co-ruler and retired toDavid Gareja monastery. Others allege that Demetrius had also died, and that George then seized the throne illicitly.[21] He died in 1156 and was buried atGelati Monastery.
Demetrius's wife is unknown, but he had several children:
King Demetrius I was an author of several poems, mainly on religious themes.Shen Khar Venakhi (Georgian:შენ ხარ ვენახი, English:Thou Art a Vineyard), a hymn to theVirgin Mary, is the most famous of them.
| Preceded by | King of Georgia 1125–1154 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | King of Georgia 1154–1156 | Succeeded by |