The defeat of Georgian royal forces at Aradeti accelerated the permanent fragmentation of the unified Kingdom of Georgia into rival principalities.
Key Facts
- Date
- August 1483
- Victor
- Principality of Samtskhe (Atabeg Kvarkvare II)
- Defeated force
- Kingdom of Georgia royal troops
- Outcome for Samtskhe
- Independence secured under Kvarkvare II
- Post-battle successor states
- Samtskhe, Imereti, Kartli, Kakheti
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Kingdom of Georgia had been weakening under internal political tensions, with the Eristavs of Samtskhe driving the fragmentation process. Atabeg Kvarkvare II sought full independence from the Georgian crown, and the rivalry between regional lords and the central monarchy came to a head in 1483.
In August 1483, Atabeg Kvarkvare II led the forces of the Principality of Samtskhe against the royal army of the Kingdom of Georgia at the place of Aradeti, routing the royal troops in a decisive engagement during the Georgian Civil Wars.
The battle effectively ended the unified Kingdom of Georgia. Kvarkvare II secured long-sought independence for Samtskhe, Eristav Bagrat claimed the thrones of Imereti and Kartli, and Giorgi VIII established his own realm in Kakheti, leaving the formerly united kingdom permanently divided.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kvarkvare II (Atabeg of Samtskhe).