1014–1027 AD: Bravery, Ambition, and the War with Basil the Bulgar-Slayer

King George I ascended the throne at age 12 (or 16). He inherited the unified kingdom built by his father, Bagrat III, but he did not inherit his father’s caution. George I was young, fearless, and arguably reckless. He looked at the Byzantine Empire—the superpower of the day—and decided to fight it.

His enemy was no ordinary ruler. It was Emperor Basil II “The Bulgar-Slayer,” a military genius who had blinded thousands of Bulgarian prisoners. Challenging Basil was suicidal, but George I wanted to reclaim the ancestral lands of Tao that Byzantium had seized.

The War for Tao

George I invaded the Byzantine-controlled territories of Tao-Klarjeti. For years, he held his ground, utilizing the difficult terrain and the bravery of his troops. But in 1021, Basil II arrived in person with the full might of the Roman army.

The decisive Battle of Shirimni (1021) was a bloodbath. George I fought valiantly, but the Byzantine discipline prevailed. The King was forced to retreat. The war ended with a peace treaty that cost Georgia dearly: George had to give up the disputed lands and send his young son, Bagrat IV, as a hostage to Constantinople. Yet, his defiance proved that Georgia was a power willing to punch above its weight.

The Builder of Svetitskhoveli

While fighting wars, George I also initiated the construction of Georgia’s greatest architectural monument. He commissioned the architect Arsukisdze to rebuild the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta in stone. The massive cathedral we see today—with its soaring arches and intricate carvings—is largely the result of George’s ambition (and the tragic talent of Arsukisdze, whose hand was famously cut off according to legend).

Tourism Guide: The Monuments of George I

  1. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral: This is George I’s masterpiece. Look for the relief of a hand holding a bevel square on the northern facade with the inscription: “The Hand of Arsukisdze, slave of God, may forgiveness be his.” It is the stone signature of the King’s architect.
  2. Shirimni (Palakazio): Located near Lake Palakazio (modern Turkey), this was the site of the great battle. The ruins of the church George fortified still stand as a lonely sentinel to his lost war.