365–380 AD: The Treaty of Acilisene and the Split of Iberia

King Mihrdat III ruled during a time when Georgia was literally torn apart. He was the son of Varaz-Bakur I, but his reign was anything but unified. The Roman Empire, under Valens, decided it was not done with the Caucasus. They returned in 370 AD, bringing with them the exiled former king, Saurmag II.

For several years, Mihrdat III found himself in a civil war against his own relative. The kingdom was split in two: Saurmag ruling the Roman-backed West, and Mihrdat III ruling the Persian-backed East. This chaos culminated in one of the most significant diplomatic events of the ancient world: the Peace of Acilisene (387 AD).

The Great Partition

The Treaty of Acilisene was an agreement between Rome and Persia to divide their spheres of influence in the Middle East. While it primarily partitioned Armenia, it devastated Iberia. Under the terms, Rome acknowledged Persian suzerainty over the Kingdom of Iberia.

Mihrdat III, who had maintained his throne through Persian support, suddenly found himself the sole king again—but at a terrible cost. Iberia was now firmly in the Iranian orbit. The Roman legions withdrew, leaving Mihrdat to deal with the heavy hand of the Sassanid Shahs alone.

A King Without a Choice

Mihrdat III’s reign is a case study in survival. He rebuilt the churches damaged during the civil wars but had to pay heavy tribute to Ctesiphon (the Persian capital). He fortified Mtskheta against potential northern raids, but his foreign policy was dictated by the Shah.

Despite the political submission, Mihrdat III ensured that the Christian character of the state remained intact. He refused to let Zoroastrianism replace the Cross, a quiet resistance that kept the Georgian identity alive during the dark years of occupation.

Tourism Guide: The Frontier of Empires

To understand the division of Mihrdat’s time, travel to the ancient borderlands:

  1. The Mtkvari River Line: Historically, the river often served as a dividing line during the civil war. Visiting the cliffs of Uplistsikhe, you stand on the border where Roman and Persian influence clashed.
  2. Nekresi Monastery: In Kakheti, one of the oldest Christian sites (the small basilica dates to the 4th century). It stands as a testament to the Christian faith surviving deep in the Persian-controlled zone of Mihrdat’s kingdom.