If scientists had invented a time machine, you would hardly want to visit Georgia in the 11th century. A bloody war with the Byzantine Empire, which ended in defeat, civil strife, the invasion of the Turks and an unbearable tribute – these are the realities of this time. However, everything changed with the accession to the throne of Tamara. Her name is associated with successful conquests, the flourishing of culture and trade, the spread of Christianity. The reign of the wise and just queen is rightfully called the “golden age” of Georgia, a period of brilliant take-off. The great achievements of the ruler eventually turned into legends and myths. What is true in them and what is not?

Between East and West

The ascent to the throne of a woman in the XII century is a phenomenon out of the ordinary both for Georgia and for the whole world. The heirs and the elite, as a rule, hindered such an outcome of events in every possible way. However, Tamara’s father, George III, was not initially going to give up the reins of government to his daughter. He was the guardian of David, the son of his older brother, and cherished the idea: the young man will become the next ruler. However, fate decreed otherwise – civil strife broke out, and David disappeared. Either he was killed, or hid under a false name. Historians are still arguing about his fate.

In 1178, George III made Tamara his co-ruler. He decided not to tempt fate, guessing what obstacles the know would build on her path after his death. The king did not pin special hopes on his daughter, but in vain. First, she was well educated. Secondly, she had the talent of a diplomat. Considering that Georgia was surrounded by the Muslim world, this was a necessity. Thirdly, Tamara combined seemingly incompatible qualities: mercy, purely feminine gentleness and at the same time – the unbending will of a military leader, the desire to go to the bitter end.

A fragile, shy girl, when necessary, stood her ground to the last. Singing these qualities in poems, the Georgian people often went too far, which complicates an objective assessment of Tamara’s personality. So, praising the queen, the Georgian chroniclers argued that she forbade the use of corporal punishment and the death penalty. “In the days of Tamar’s reign, there was not a single person who, with her knowledge, was subjected to violence, and no one who would be punished, except for the cases of the application of the old law, which is prescribed for robbers – hanging on a tree,” wrote Basili Ezosmozgvari (XIII century ) in the work “History of Queen Tamara”. Meanwhile, this information does not correspond to historical reality. Punishments were applied, although rarely.

Tamara acquired the fame of the great ruler thanks to her conquests. After the death of her father, she was re-crowned. Wasting no time, the queen got down to business: she reformed the army according to the feudal system, introduced a system of military districts and conscription; soldiers, before being sent to the battlefield, taught them the craft. Special attention was now paid to intelligence.

Tamara understood that an attack by the Turks on Georgia was inevitable: the location of the kingdom was too advantageous. She chose the offensive tactics. It was a bold step, because the number of the Turkish army significantly exceeded the number of the Georgian one. However, harsh discipline and experienced military leaders did their job, and the Georgian army defeated the Turks in southern Armenia. The list of conquests over the 27 years of the reign of the legendary queen is impressive: almost the entire Caucasus, the former Byzantine provinces, several Iranian cities. Tamara’s troops successfully repelled the attacks of the united Muslim army. The Georgian kingdom has never been so powerful. Alas, not a trace of this power will remain when the most dangerous enemy comes – the Mongols.

Territory of Georgia at the beginning of the XII century

How Tamara fought with her ex-husband

The queen’s first marriage was unsuccessful. The spouse was chosen by the religious elite. It goes without saying that he had to confess Orthodoxy. The choice fell on George (Yuri), the son of Andrei Bogolyubsky. Unlike his father, George did not possess the talent of a commander and a politician. He preferred taverns, booze and women (according to some legends, men) to battles. Tamara quickly became disillusioned with her husband and demanded a divorce two and a half years later. You have to understand that divorce was then unthinkable. However, the church agreed. Perhaps the reason for this was the reforms initiated by Tamara at the beginning of the reign. She put at the head of the church people who were loyal to her, who were not noticed in extortion of money and abuse of their power. In addition, churches were exempted from duties, generous funds were allocated from the treasury for their existence. The queen also enlisted the support of the elite – she significantly expanded the powers of the councils of the nobility. The lower strata of the population were also satisfied with their lot, they were freed from heavy extortions.

Georgian Church numbered Tamara in the clique of saints

So, no one obstructed Tamara’s divorce. And here the most interesting thing begins: the queen sent George into exile, providing him with a large sum of money. A noble deed. The rejected husband went to Constantinople, and then, together with the army, returned to Georgia for revenge. Tamara had to fight with her ex-husband. True, the army devoted to her quickly drove the unlucky spouse out of the kingdom.

Legends attribute numerous lovers to the beautiful Tamara. But this is nothing more than an artistic fiction, a kind of attribute of a romantic image. One thing is certain: the young widow was looking for a husband on her own. The Ossetian prince David-Soslan became her chosen one. There were no disagreements with the second spouse; in addition, he was a talented military leader.

“Cultural Revolution” in feudal Georgia

Tamara, among other achievements, patronized the arts, literature and science. It should be noted that the cultural heritage of Georgia in the XII century was unique. The kingdom was located at the crossroads of trade routes, and the culture in an amazing way combined Christian and Persian traditions. However, after numerous enemy raids, the vast property was seriously damaged. During the reign of Tamara, monasteries and churches were built in all parts of the country, their walls were painted by the best masters. The ruler surrounded herself with poets and writers who, in the process of their creativity, formed the norms of the Georgian language.

Many legends tell about the romantic relationship between Tamara and the outstanding poet Shota Rustaveli

Shota Rustaveli

Indeed, between the lines of his poem “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin” one can read reckless love. Tamara clearly favored the poet and appointed him state treasurer. But researchers say that there was no romantic connection between the queen and the poet. In general, information about the biography of Rustaveli is scarce and contradictory. There are several versions of the last years of his life, ranging from monastic tonsure and ending with a marriage with a beautiful Georgian woman.

The great ruler died between 1209 and 1213. The place of her burial is unknown. Tamara still remains a favorite heroine of Georgian folklore, and not only Georgian. Every nation of the Caucasus has a couple of stories about Tamara, a fair and brave queen.