- Kldekari (duchy)
Kldekari ( _ka. კლდეკარი) was a duchy ("saeristavo") in the medieval Georgia. Ruled by a powerful dynasty of
Baghvashi , the duchy existed from876 to1103 in the southernKvemo Kartli province, and, despite its small size, created particular problems to theBagrationi kings who sought to bring all Georgian lands into a single state.History
The duchy was established in
876 by Liparit I of the Baghvashi, who had been expelled by theAbkhazia n kings from his fiefdom ofArgveti in UpperImereti . Liparit had found a shelter in theTrialeti province where he was allowed by the Iberian ruler (kourapalates) David I (876 -881 ) to mount a strong fort called Kldekari (literally, the rocky gates) to control the roads cut through the cliff connecting the regions of Eastern Georgia with the southern neighboring countries and theByzantine Empire . Having this key places in possession, the Baghvashi family achieved the power that enabled them to contest borders with the neighbouring principalities. The rivalry between the Baghvashi and theBagrationi House of Georgia erupted immediately after the creation of the unified Georgian kingdom under Bagrat III. The latter prevailed and, in989 , forced the Kldekarian duke (eristavi ) Rati I to abdicate in favor of his son, Liparit II. A descendant, Liparit IV, became a regent for the young Georgian king Bagrat IV in the early1030 s. Subsequently, relations between the two men deteriorated and flared into an armed conflict. With the military support from theByzantine Empire , Liparit defeated Bagrat at theBattle of Sasireti (1042 ) and became a virtual ruler of Georgia, but eventually he was forced out by his own subjects in1059 . His son and heir, John, was allowed by the Georgian crown to succeed Liparit IV as a duke. In1074 , John revolted against KingGeorge II of Georgia , and attempted to get Seljuk support. However, a Seljuk invasion force temporarily occupied the duchy and captured the ducal family. David IV, a new and perhaps the most successful king of Georgia, forced the Baghvashi into submission in1093 , and checked their subsequent attempts to revolt. In1103 , he took advantage of the death of the last Kldekarian duke Rati III and abolished the duchy incorporating the area directly into a royal domain.Rulers
* Liparit I (
876 -?)* Liparit II (
940 -960 )* Rati I (960-
988 )* Liparit III (988-
1005 )* Rati II (1005-
1021 )* Liparit IV (1021-
1059 )* John (Ioane) (1059-
1074 )* Liparit V (1074-
1095 )* Rati III (1095-
1102 )External links
* [http://www.istoria.ge/qrono/kldekari.htm] Saeristavo of Kldekari (in Georgian)
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