237–159 BC: A Story of Betrayal, Exile, and the North Caucasian Alliance that Changed Georgia Forever

It is often said that the second generation has the hardest task: maintaining what the founder built. Saurmag I, the son of the legendary Pharnavaz, ascended the throne of Iberia only to find that the loyalty of the nobility died with his father. His reign is a thrilling saga of a coup d’état, a desperate escape into the wild mountains, and a triumphant return that fundamentally shifted the demographics and politics of Georgia.

Saurmag’s story teaches us a vital lesson in Georgian history: when the valleys are treacherous, salvation lies in the mountains.

The Revolt of the Eristavis

When Pharnavaz died, the powerful Dukes (Eristavis) he had appointed saw an opportunity. They viewed the young Saurmag as weak and inexperienced. Why serve a king when they could be kings themselves? A conspiracy was hatched in the dark corridors of Mtskheta. The nobles planned to assassinate Saurmag and partition the kingdom among themselves.

Saurmag discovered the plot just in time. Realizing he had no army and no allies within the capital, he made a fateful decision. He did not surrender. He grabbed his family and fled.

Exile in the Land of the Dzurdzuks

Saurmag turned his eyes North. His mother was of the Dzurdzuk people (ancestors of the modern Vainakh peoples—Chechens and Ingush). He fled through the perilous passes of the Caucasus Mountains, crossing into the rugged terrain of what is now the North Caucasus.

This was not a cowardly retreat; it was a strategic withdrawal. Saurmag presented himself not as a beggar, but as a nephew of the Dzurdzuk people. He reminded them of the ancient alliances forged by his father. The highlanders, valuing blood ties and the promise of glory, rallied to his cause. Saurmag spent years in the mountains, not hiding, but building an army. He gathered a massive force of Dzurdzuks and Sarmathians, hardened warriors who knew no fear.

The Return of the King

When Saurmag returned, the ground shook. He descended from the Darial Gorge like an avalanche. The rebellious Georgian nobles, who had spent their time squabbling over territory, were unprepared for the ferocity of the highland army.

The campaign was swift. Saurmag reclaimed Mtskheta and crushed the rebellion. However, his victory is most notable for what happened after the fighting stopped. Saurmag realized that the old nobility could never be fully trusted. He needed a new class of loyalists.

The Creation of the Aznauri and Demographic Shift

Saurmag did not just send his highland allies home. He invited many of them to stay. He settled influential Dzurdzuk families in the northern provinces of Georgia—from the Darial Gorge down to Mtianeti and Tianeti. These settlers became the guardians of the northern gates, loyal only to the King who gave them land.

Furthermore, Saurmag reformed the nobility. He pardoned some of the rebels but stripped them of their autonomy. He elevated his loyal followers to a new rank called Aznauri (a term likely derived from “Azani,” meaning “son of Azon” or free nobility, though debated by historians, it came to mean the minor nobility). This created a service aristocracy that depended on the crown for their status, stabilizing the monarchy for centuries.

Religious Additions

Like his father, Saurmag understood the power of religion. While he maintained the worship of the supreme god Armazi, he added two new idols to the pantheon: Ainina and Danina. These deities were erected along the road to Mtskheta, further developing the religious landscape of the capital.

Tourism Guide: The Route of Saurmag

To experience Saurmag’s journey, you must head to the mountains:

  1. The Georgian Military Highway: This famous road follows the ancient route Saurmag took to flee and return. As you drive from Tbilisi to Kazbegi, you are traversing the very path of his army.
  2. The Darial Gorge: Visit this dramatic, narrow canyon on the border with Russia. This was the gateway for Saurmag’s northern allies. The sheer cliffs and rushing Terek river give you a sense of the formidable barrier he controlled.
  3. Ananuri Fortress Complex: While the current fortress is medieval (17th century), the location overlooks the Aragvi river valley, a key region where Saurmag settled his loyal highlanders. It’s a perfect spot to visualize the strategic depth of the kingdom.
  4. Sno Valley and Juta: To see the descendants of the highlanders and the rugged terrain that sheltered the king, hike in the Sno valley near Stepantsminda. The culture here is still deeply connected to the mountain traditions of the North Caucasus.

Saurmag I reigned for an impressive 78 years (according to tradition), turning a moment of near-collapse into an era of stability. He proved that the unity of the Caucasus—North and South—was the key to Georgia’s survival.