Ashot II of Tao

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Ashot II
აშოტ II
Died(954-01-25)January 25, 954
NationalityGeorgian
Other namesAshot II Curopalates
TitleCuropalates of Tao-Klarjeti
Parent
  • Adarnase IV (father)
RelativesDavid II (brother)
FamilyBagrationi dynasty

Ashot II (

curopalates
.

Ashot was the second son of Adarnase IV, king of Iberia/Kartli and younger brother of David II (r. 923–937). David succeeded Adarnase as titular king of Iberia, but not as curopalates, this honorific being granted by the Byzantine emperor to Ashot. Ashot's original holding was the duchy of Lower Tao to which he added Upper Tao obtained following the death of his relative Gurgen II of Tao in 941. Ashot II also received from the emperor, c. 952, the Armenian canton of Phasiane.[2] By virtue of holding the title of curopalate, Ashot rivaled the influence and prestige of elder brother David II, King of Iberia.[3]

During Ashot's tenure, the Vita of Saint

Grigol Khandzteli was composed by Giorgi Merchule. Ashot actively supported the development of monasticism in Tao-Klarjeti and rebuilt the main church of the monastery at Opiza. Ashot died without heir and his lands and titles passed to his brother King Sumbat I.[2] 954, the year of Ashot's death reported by the medieval chronicler Sumbat was confirmed by a Georgian inscription found at the historical village of Merenesi in what is now the Şenkaya district in Turkey in 2017.[1]

According to the art historian

Ashot I Kuropalates (died 830) and the Biblical King David
as it has been sometimes assumed, but the 10th century re-builders of the monastery, Ashot II and David II.

References

  1. ^ a b Tsikarishvili, Levan; Gozalishvili, Bebur; Koguashvili, Shalva; Imedashvili, Ana (2017). "აშოტ II კურაპალატის თაობაზე წარწერა ტაოში აღმოაჩინეს" [An inscription about Ashot II Curopalates is found in Tao]. Istoriani. 83.
  2. ^ a b Toumanoff, Cyril (1967). Studies in Christian Caucasian History, pp. 493-493. Georgetown University Press.
  3. ISSN 1987-9970
    .
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