265โ€“284 AD: The Architect of Defenses and the End of a Dynasty

King Aspacures I (Aspagur) was a man who saw the writing on the wall. He was the last male ruler of the Arsacid dynasty in Iberia, a lineage that had balanced Georgia between Rome and Parthia for a century. But by the time Aspacures took the throne, the old world was dead. The Sassanid Empire of Persia was at the height of its aggression, determined to swallow the Caucasus whole.

Aspacures is defined not by conquest, but by his desperate, intelligent preparation for the end. He knew Mtskheta alone could not hold the kingdom. He needed a fortress city in the east to block the Persian advance and the Alan raids. Thus, he built Ujarma.

The Great Builder

The construction of the Ujarma fortress in the Iori valley was Aspacures’ magnum opus. It was not just a castle; it was a second capital. Strategically located to control the trade routes and the passes from Kakheti, Ujarma became the shield of the eastern provinces. Archaeological evidence confirms massive fortification works from the late 3rd century, proving Aspacuresโ€™ foresight.

He also strengthened the alliances with the Alans (Ovsni) in the north. While his ancestors fought them, Aspacures opened the Darial Gate to them, using them as mercenaries against the encroaching Persians. It was a dangerous gameโ€”inviting one wolf to fight another.

The Tragic End

In 284 AD, the Sassanid pressure became an avalanche. The Persian armies marched north. Aspacures resisted, but he was outmatched. He retreated west into the mountains of Ossetia (Dvaleti) to regroup with his Alan allies, but the stress broke him. He died in the mountains, a king in exile.

His tragedy was compounded by succession: he had no son. The Iberian throne faced a crisis. The nobility, fearing total annihilation by Persia, made a deal with the devil. They agreed to marry Aspacuresโ€™ only daughter, Abeshura, to the son of the Persian King. This marriage ended the Arsacid dynasty but saved the kingdom’s autonomy, birthing the new Chosroid Dynasty.

Tourism Guide: The Ruins of Ujarma

To honor the last Arsacid king, you must visit his greatest creation:

  1. Ujarma Fortress: Located on the road to Telavi (Gombori Pass), the ruins of Ujarma are spectacular. You can walk among the walls Aspacures built. The citadel sits on a high hill surrounded by forests. It later became the residence of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, but the foundations are pure Aspacures. It is one of the most evocative sites in Kakheti.