David_V_of_Georgia

David V of Georgia

David V of Georgia

King of Georgia


David V (Georgian: დავით V, Davit' V; 1113 — 1155),[1] of the Bagrationi dynasty, was a 7th king (mepe) of Georgia in 1154 before his death in 1155.[2]

Quick Facts David V დავით V, King of Georgia (more...) ...

Life

David was born around 1113[1] and was the eldest son of Prince Demetrius and grandson of David IV the Builder who was reigning at that time.

In the 1140s, King Demetrius I had quarrelled with his elder son David and had chosen his younger son, Prince George, as heir apparent. Those who had supported Demetrius' younger brother, Prince Vakhtang, now opposed Demetrius' unprecedented disinheritance of David.[3]

In 1154 he managed to overthrow his father, made him a monk and sent him to the David Gareja monastery, while he ascended the throne.[3]

After the overthrown of Demetrius, David V granted the office of Amirspasalar (Commander-in-Chief) to Kirkish (Tirkash), son of Ivane Abuletisdze who was exposed in a plot against Demetrius and executed by the Demetrius' orders in 1130s. Kirkish's promotion upset Sumbat I and Ivane II Orbeli.[4][5]

Davit V died suddenly six months after becoming king.[6] According to Vardan Areveltsi, David was poisoned by Sumbat I and Ivane II Orbeli, who the Orbelis had made an agreement with the Prince George that he would appoint them generals.[5][7]

According to precedence and law, after David's death, his young son, Prince Demna should have inherited the throne. But Demetrius was restored to the throne, and he crowned his younger son, George, as co-ruler and retired to David Gareja monastery. Others allege that Demetrius had also died, and that George then seized the throne illicitly.[5] According to the Armenian historian Stepanos Orbelian, gives his family's version of the events, which, unsurprisingly, exonerates them but still firmly condemns George. Stepanos denies any family involvement in the murder of David V and says that George had sworn to David V that he would rule only until Demna reached his majority, but then reneged on his vow. He claims that the Orbelis had been the witnesses of this vow and that they led the 1177 revolt to restore Demna, who was now adult, to his rightful position.[7]

Family

The name of David V's wife is unknown, David and his wife had one children:

  • Prince Demna (Demetrius), claimed the royal throne, which led to a great rebellion against George III in 1177-78.

References

  1. Gippert, Jost; Dum-Tragut, Jasmine (2023-06-19). Caucasian Albania: An International Handbook. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. p. 678. ISBN 978-3-11-079468-7.
  2. Venning, Timothy (2023-06-30). A Compendium of Medieval World Sovereigns. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-86633-9.
  3. Robert Bedrosian, "Amirspasalar", in: Joseph Reese Strayer (1983), Dictionary of the Middle Ages, p. 235. Scribner, ISBN 0-684-16760-3.
  4. Mikaberidze, Alexander (2015-02-06). Historical Dictionary of Georgia. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 260. ISBN 978-1-4422-4146-6.

Bibliography

See also

Preceded by King of Georgia
1154–1155
Succeeded by
Demetrius I (restored)

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