Colchis

Colchis (Georgian form - "Kolkheti"), in ancient geography district of Asia Minor, at the eastern extremity of the Black Sea, bounded on the N. by the Caucasus, which separated it from Asiatic Sarmatia, E. by Transcaucasian Iberia (Eastern Georgia), S. by the Montes Moschici, Armenia and part of Pontus, and W. by the Euxine. The name of Colchis first appears in Aeschylus and Pindar. It was inhabited by a number of tribes whose settlements lay chiefly along the shore of the Black Sea. Colchis is old name of Western Georgia. In the 1st millenium BC (10th-1st centuries BC) on the territory of Western Georgia was the oldest Georgian Kingdom of Kolkheti (Colchis), in the 1st century BC-7th century AD Georgian Kingdom Egrisi. In the 7th-9th centuries AD Kolkheti was under ruling of the Byzantine Empire. In the 10th-15th centuries this territory was a part of the united Georgian Kingdom, in the 15th-16th centuries part of the Westgeorgian Kingdom of Imereti. In the 16th century-1860's major part of this territory was under ruling of the autonomous Principality of Samegrelo (Mingrelia). In 1860's this Principality was abolished by the Tsarist Russian Empire. In 1918-1921 Kolkheti was a part of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. In February 25, 1921 Georgia was occupied by the Soviet Russia. In 1921-1991 Kolkheti was part of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. In April 9, 1991 was restored the state independence of Georgia by the authority of the first President of the Republic of Georgia, Dr. Zviad Gamsakhurdia.

Colchis was celebrated in Greek mythology as the destination of the Argonauts, the home of Medea and the special domain of sorcery. Several Greek colonies were founded there by Miletus. At a remote period it seems to have been incorporated with the Persian empire, though the inhabitants evidently enjoyed a considerable degree of independence; in this condition it was found by Alexander the Great when he invaded Persia. From this time till the era of the Mithradatic wars nothing is known of its history.

At the time of the Roman invasion it seems to have paid a nominal homage to Mithradates the Great and to have been ruled over by Machares, his second son. On the defeat of Mithradates by Pompey, it became a Roman province. After the death of Pompey, Pharnaces, the son of Mithradates, rose in rebellion against the Roman yoke, subdued Colchis and Armenia, and made head, though but for a short time, against the Roman arms. After this Colchis was incorporated with Pontus.