Baghvashi

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Baghvashi were a noble family in the medieval Georgia, with notable members from the 9th to 12th centuries. Expelled from their original fiefdom Argveti around ca 876, they ruled subsequently the duchy of Kldekari until the main male line went extinct in 1102. A cadet branch was established in the 980s also in the Racha province giving origin to a local Kakhaberisdze ducal family.

Liparit I Baghvashi was the first of the family known to the old Georgian annals. Amid a combat with the resurgent kings of Abkhazia, he was forced in ca 876 to leave his hereditary princedom of Argveti and moved to the Trialeti province establishing here a duchy (saeristavo) of Kldekari. Having recognized an authority of David I of the Georgians (876-881), he helped him to fight a rebel prince Nasra (died 888).

Rati II, son of Liparit II, was in acute opposition to King Bagrat III, but submitted to the crown in 989. He fell in the Battle of Shirimni against the Byzantines in 1021.

Liparit IV Baghvashi, the Great Eristavi (ruled 1021-1059), was probably the best remembered representative of the family famous for his struggle against the Georgian king Bagrat IV.

Ioane, he was actually John (1059-1080), son of Liparit IV, followed his father into exile. Pardoned in 1059, his duchy was restored and Ioane appointed general (spasalar) of the royal army. He revolted in 1073-1074 and attempted to use a Seljuk force against George II of Georgia. He failed however to prove his loyalty to Malik Shah I and was removed by the latter in 1080.

Liparit V Baghvashi (1080-1095), son of John, rebelled against the Georgian king David IV in 1093. Defeated and arrested, he was soon pardoned, but he rose again in rebellion. He was captured again in 1095 and forced into exile to the Byzantine Empire where he died.

Rati III (1095-1102) was the last duke (eristavi) of Kldekari and the last representative of the family. Shortly after his death, the duchy was annexed to the royal domains.