Leon III of Abkhazia

Leon III (Georgian: ლეონ III) was King of Abkhazia from 957 AD until 967 AD. He was the second son and successor of George II of the Anchabadze dynasty.

Leon III
ლეონ III
Leon's relief from the squinch over arch from the Kumurdo Cathedral, c. 964
King of Abkhazia
Reign957 – 967
PredecessorGeorge II
SuccessorDemetrius III
DynastyAnchabadze
ReligionGeorgian Orthodox Church

Life

He succeeded in 926 as viceroy of Kartli to his older brother Constantine, the latter was blinded and castrated by George II after Constantine's unsuccessful rebellion. George proceeded to campaign against the easternmost Georgian Principality of Kakheti whose ruler Kvirike II also pretended on parts of Kartli. George and Leon were supported by his brother-in-law prince Shurta, who was also natural brother of Kvirike, who ceded Ujarma fortress to Abkhazians. Kvirike was defeated and imprisoned, and released only after he had submitted to vassalage.

Mokvi Cathedral constructed in 10th century, during the reign of King Leon III of Abkhazia

Soon Kvirike returned to offensive and incited also the rebellion in Kartli. In 957, George sent a large army under his son, Leon, but the king died amid the expedition, and Leon had to make peace with Kvirike ending his campaign inconclusively. Kvirike was forced to agree to the marriage of his son David, with the daughter of Leon. Unfortunately, the peace did not last long, as the princess died soon and mistrust returned between the two parties. Leon attacked Kakheti again and sacked Mukhnari, Kherki and Bazaleti; In this last place he became ill and died in 967. He was succeeded by his brother Demetrius III of Abkhazia.

In 964 Leon III extended his influence to Javakheti, during his reign was built Kumurdo Cathedral.[1][2]

Family

Leon married an unknown princess:

Issue

Genealogy

References
  1. "Kumurdo Church". Georgian patriarchate, Eparchy of Shemoqmedi. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  2. "Kumurdo". Parliament of Georgia. Retrieved 5 March 2011.

Bibliography
  • Marie-Félicité Brosset, Histoire de la Géorgie depuis l'Antiquité jusqu'au XIXe siècle, v. 1–7, Saint-Pétersbourg, 1848–58, p. 285-286.


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