Gurgen I of Tao
| Gurgen I გურგენ I | |
|---|---|
Bagrationi | |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox Church |
Gurgen I (
Tao-Klarjeti. He was a presiding prince of Iberia with the Byzantine title of curopalates from 881 until his death in a dynastic feud in 891.[1]
The oldest son of Prince
Shavsheti and Artaani to his possessions, for we hear from the 18th-century Georgian chronicler Vakhushti of Gurgen having moved his residence there.[1]
In the meantime Adarnase, not being a curopalate and having the example of his Armenian cousins before him, assumed the title of king. The relations between Adarnase and Gurgen grew tense and degenerated into an open warfare. Gurgen was fatally wounded and captured at Mglinavi near Artaani by Adarnase and his ally Bagrat Mampali in 891. According to his will, Gurgen was buried at the monastery of Opiza restored by him.[1][2]
Gurgen was probably married to a daughter of Smbat VIII Bagratuni (826–855), the sparapet of Armenia. He left two sons behind – Adarnase and Ashot Kukhi – thus being a founder of the Bagratid "first house of Tao" which would become extinct with his grandson Gurgen II.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Toumanoff, Cyril (1967). Studies in Christian Caucasian History, pp. 490-3. Georgetown University Press.
- ISBN 0-19-826373-2