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| Egrisi ႤႢႰႨႱႨ | |
|---|---|
| 8th century BCE–47 BCE | |
 | |
| Capital | Kutaisi |
| Official languages | Aramaic Greek |
| Common languages | Svan Zan |
| Dominant mode of production | Slavery |
| History | |
• Established | 8th century BCE |
• Dissolution | 47 BCE |
Egrisi, also known by the Greek name Colchis, was an ancient state located in what is now western Georgia. It reached its peak between the sixth and fourth centuries BCE.[1]
History[edit | edit source]
Mithridates VI of Pontus took control of Egrisi. After the Romans defeated Pontus, Egrisi became dependent on Rome. Pompeius Magnus appointed Arist'arke as king of Egrisi.[1]
Pharnaces II of Bosporus looted the shrine of Leucothea in 49 BCE. The rulers of Pergamon looted the shrine again two years later.[1]
Economy[edit | edit source]
No written sources mention a slave market in Egrisi, but the existence of slaves from Egrisi in Athens suggests that it exported slaves.[1]
Egrisi had access to rich ore deposits and traded goods made of gold and iron. One grave from the fifth century BCE contained 1,600 golden objects. The wealth of Egrisi inspired the Greek legend of the Golden Fleece. Craftsmen also used bronze to make ornaments, but they were not as important as iron tools. Egrisi grew flax and hemp for export.[1]
Between the fifth and third centuries BCE, the rulers of Egrisi minted their own coins. Greek coins were widely used in coastal regions. Egrisi's main trading parties were the Greek cities of Rhodes and Sinope. Trade routes from India to Europe passed through Egrisi.[1]
Culture[edit | edit source]
Starting in the third century BCE, Greek culture began to influence Egrisi. Architects built monuments in a similar style to the Greeks. The temple city of Pazisi contained ritual vessels depicting the Greek gods.[1]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Grigory Bongard-Levin, Boris Piotrovsky (1988). Ancient Civilisations of East and West. https://archive.org/details/ancientciveastwest/mode/1up.