Lazica: Map & History
The Kingdom of Lazica, sometimes called Lazian Empire, was a state in the territory of west Georgia in the Roman period, from about the 1st century BC.
Wikipedia Encyclopedic Compendium
Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
The Kingdom of Lazica, sometimes called Lazian Empire, was a state in the territory of west Georgia in the Roman period, from about the 1st century BC. Created as a result of the collapse of the kingdom of Colchis and the gaining of independence by the tribal-territorial units included in it in 131 AD.
Modern Countries Once Part of Lazica
At its mapped extent, Lazica covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Lazica's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Lazica in Depth
History
From the 1st century AD onward, the Mingrelian-Laz people, who came to be referred to as "Laz" or "Manraloi (Mingrelian)" rather than Colchians, launched a struggle for independence, first against the rule of Polemon and later against the Roman Empire. Between 69 and 79, a Laz admiral named Anicetus led his people in revolt against the Romans. Unwilling to relinquish control of Lazica, a strategically important region, the Romans were eventually forced to withdraw in the face of the Laz struggle for independence. Lucian of Samosata, in his work Toxaris, written in AD 163, mentions a Laz prince named "Tigrapat". Although this may suggest that a semi-independent Laz state existed at the time, there is no evidence confirming the historical existence of this prince.
Economy
Maritime trade played a significant role in the country's economy, with the port of Phasis serving as its main center. Trade was conducted mainly with Pontus and the Bosporan Kingdom in Crimea, which were under Roman control at the time. Leather, fur, and other raw materials, as well as slaves, were exported from Lazica in large quantities. In return, the Laz imported salt, bread, wine, luxury textiles, and weapons. The destruction of free trade and the introduction of a Roman trade monopoly in Lazica are considered among the causes of the Lazic War.
The primary currency used in Lazica for trade was the Roman Antoninianus until the 4th century. Afterwards it was replaced by the Byzantine Solidus.
Ecclesiastical history
In the early 4th century, the Christian eparchy (eastern bishopric) of Pityus was established in this kingdom, and, as in neighboring Iberia, Christianity was declared the official religion in AD 319. Other ancient episcopal sees in Lazica included Rhodopolis, Saesina, and Zygana. Bishop Stratophilus of Pityus was among the participants of the First Council of Nicaea in 325. The first Christian king of Lazica was Gubazes I; in the 5th century, Christianity became the official religion of Lazica. Later, the nobility and clergy of Lazica shifted from the Hellenic ecclesiastical tradition to the Georgian tradition, and Georgian became the language of culture and education.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Lazica (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Lazica: Key Facts
| Capital | Nokalakevi |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1st century BCE |
| Dissolved | 7th century |
Facts from Wikidata Q136884 (CC0).
Lazica Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Lazica appears, with the other states of the time.
Lazica Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 28,525 km² in 2 CE.
Lazica: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Lazica exist?
Lazica is dated to 63 BCE – 545 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of Lazica?
The capital of Lazica was Archaeopolis.
How large was Lazica at its peak?
At its peak in 2 AD Lazica covered about 28,525 km².
How did the map of Lazica change over time?
Lazica appears on 6 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1 CE to 500 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.