HistoryShelf

Georgia, located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, boasts a rich history dating back to ancient times. The Kingdom of Colchis, which is famed in Greek mythology as the destination of the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece, was one of the earliest Georgian states, established around the 6th century BC. Over the centuries, Georgia’s strategic location made it a focal point of various empires, including the Roman, Byzantine, Persian, and Ottoman Empires. In the early medieval period, Georgia reached its zenith under the rule of King David IV and Queen Tamar, who presided over a golden age of political strength and cultural flourishing. Despite later subjugation by Mongols, Persians, and Russians, Georgia maintained a distinct cultural identity, centered around the Georgian Orthodox Church. After a brief period of independence from 1918 to 1921, Georgia was incorporated into the Soviet Union, from which it regained independence in 1991. Since then, Georgia has been navigating a path toward greater economic and political integration with the West.