20 BC – AD 1: Ruling at the Dawn of the Common Era

King Arshak II (sometimes referred to as Arsuk) holds a unique place in Georgian chronology. His reign straddles the most significant dividing line in human history: the transition from Before Christ (BC) to Anno Domini (AD). While he ruled from Mtskheta, far to the south in Judea, events were unfolding that would eventually transform Georgia’s soul. But for Arshak, the immediate concerns were earthly: navigating the dangerous peace between the Roman Empire of Augustus and the Parthian Empire.

He was the son of Mirian II, the king who had restored the Pharnavazid dynasty after decades of Artaxiad rule. Arshak inherited a kingdom that was weary of war but proud of its returned sovereignty. His reign is often described by historians as a period of “internal consolidation,” a quiet breath before the storm of his successor.

The Burden of Neutrality

Arshak II was a descendant of both Georgian and Persian nobility (through the Nebrotid line), which gave him a unique diplomatic advantage. He spoke the language of the East but understood the power of the West. During his reign, Rome, under its first Emperor Augustus, established the Pax Romana. The Roman policy in the Caucasus shifted from direct conquest to influence through client states.

Arshak’s genius lay in his ability to appear as a friend to everyone and a servant to none. He maintained the Persian cultural revival started by his father, rebuilding fire temples and strengthening the Zoroastrian influence in the court, yet he never provoked Rome into a military response. He fortified the city of Tsunda in Javakheti, turning it into a secondary power center to secure the southern borders against Armenia.

The Dawn of a New Era

It is fascinating to reflect that while Arshak II sat on his throne in Mtskheta, engaging in the rituals of Armazi and Zaden, the historical Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Arshak would never know of Christianity, yet his kingdom would become one of the first to adopt it three centuries later. He represents the peak of the “Classical Pagan” era of Georgia—a time when the country was fully integrated into the Hellenistic and Persian cultural spheres, wealthy, stable, and proud.

Tourism Guide: The City of Tsunda

To connect with Arshak II, travel to the Javakheti region:

  1. Tsunda (near Vardzia): Today, Tsunda is often overshadowed by the famous Vardzia cave city nearby, but in Arshak’s time, Tsunda was a thriving city-fortress. Visit the Tsunda Church (built later, in the 12th century) which stands on the foundations of the older city. You can still see the terraced gardens and the strategic layout of the hill that Arshak fortified.
  2. Tmogvi Fortress: Overlooking the Kura river valley, this fortress controlled the trade routes Arshak protected. Hiking up to these ruins gives you a sense of the defensive network he maintained to keep the peace.