The Geopolitical Role of the Kartvelian People in the Context of the Mithridatic Wars by the Greek Authors (Memnon, Appian, Dio Cassius, Plutarch, Strabo)

Abstract

The problem of the geopolitical orientation of the Kartvelian people presented in the ancient authors’ narratives appears to be especially noteworthy while studying the identity issues of these ethnoses. This question of political preferences of the peoples inhabiting the Caucasus, Kartvelian tribes included, became extremely critical during the Roman Empire period due to its expansive eastern foreign policy.

The aim of the paper is to analyze the geopolitical role of the Kartvelian tribes in the context of one of the main political events of the ancient world – the Mithridatic Wars, as represented by the Greek authors of the Roman Empire period, namely, Memnon, Plutarch, Dio Cassius, and Appian. Research revealed that the above authors pay quite a lot attention to the issues concerning the political orientation and preferences of the Kartvelian people when narrating the events of the Mithridatic Wars.  They seem to be interested in finding out the motivation of the Kartvelian ethnoses as both: (1) allies of the Armenian king and Mithridates; and (2) independent war actors. Additionally, the writers tried to define the aims of the Rome’s Eastern politics with regards to peoples inhabiting the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

The conclusions of the paper will suggest useful insights concerning the Kartvelian people’s geopolitical identity during the period of Rome’s active striving to incorporate Transcaucasia in the sphere of its influence as viewed by the mentioned Greek authors.