Inscriptions of Javakheti as a Historical Source

Abstract

Javakheti always had an exceptionally distinguished place in the history of Georgian state and ecclesiastic constructions. Exactly it has conditioned various and numerous information in the written culture of the region which we meet in the lapidary inscriptions. In the inscriptions we meet different social class of the population of old Georgia beginning with kings and noblemen finishing with simple prayers and pilgrims. It’s natural that the majority of lapidary inscriptions have been  created by the local residents: handicraftsmen and calligraphists, builders and masters. They are the very people mentioned in the inscriptions. Bagrat IV Bagrationi, Davit IV the Builder, Giorgi III, King Tamar, Giorgi IV Lasha- “ Javakhs’ Sovereign”, David Ulu VII, Gurgen Kurapalati, Avag Amirspasalari, Shalva and Ivane Akhaltsikhelebi, Anton Chondideli, Catholicos called Ioane Okropiri, Ivane Atabagi, Liparit Eristavt-Eristavi, Farsman Tmogveli, Ichkit Gurgenis dze, Gurgen Kvatkhasdze, Zosime Kumurdoeli, Ioane bishop, Basili Akaneli, Giorgi Saphareli and others are those high secular and ecclesiastic people mentioned in the inscriptions. GGGUUp to 200 lapidary inscriptions of Javakheti is a rich historical source in terms of to study not only the region’s but also the country’s political, cultural and social-economic situation.  The region’s epigraphic monuments can be divided into three main groups according to their outer sign:
1. Lapidary or inscriptions carved on the stone;
2.  Fresco or inscriptions done with paint;
3. Chasing or inscriptions done on metal.