Solomon I of Imereti (b. 1735)

Solomon I the Great (Georgian: სოლომონ I დიდი), born in 1735 and passing away on April 23, 1784, was a towering figure from the illustrious Bagrationi Dynasty who profoundly shaped the destiny of Imereti, a kingdom in western Georgia. His reign was marked by fierce determination and a relentless pursuit of a unified, independent Georgian state, serving two distinct periods as King of Imereti: first from 1752 to 1765, and then again from 1767 until his death in 1784.

Solomon was the son of Alexander V of Imereti and his second wife, Tamar née Abashidze. He ascended to the throne in 1752 following his father's passing, inheriting a kingdom deeply fragmented by internal strife and external pressures. Immediately upon his ascension, Solomon wasted no time in confronting the entrenched issues that plagued Imereti. He launched a series of resolute and often severe measures aimed at curbing the power of renegade nobles who had grown accustomed to operating with impunity, often at the expense of the crown's authority. A primary target of his reforms was the abhorrent slave trade, a lucrative enterprise for these nobles, frequently conducted in collusion with the Ottoman authorities who held significant sway in the region. This trade not only drained Imereti of its people but also undermined its societal fabric and economic stability.

His uncompromising stance, however, was met with immediate and formidable opposition. In 1752, the aristocratic opposition, threatened by Solomon's reforms, orchestrated a coup to depose him. Yet, Solomon’s resolve was unwavering; he quickly rallied support and managed to regain his crown, demonstrating remarkable resilience. Following his restoration, he initiated an ambitious program of reforms designed to bring stability to a kingdom that had been torn apart by chronic civil wars and external manipulation for decades.

A Kingdom Under Siege: Confronting Ottoman Hegemony

The Ottoman Empire, which regarded Imereti as a crucial sphere of its influence, viewed Solomon’s efforts to strengthen the kingdom and curtail the slave trade as a direct challenge to its regional dominance. Consequently, the Ottomans dispatched an army to reassert their control. However, Solomon proved to be a shrewd and inspiring leader, successfully mobilizing his often fractious nobles to unite against the common foreign threat. This unity culminated in a decisive victory at the Battle of Khresili in 1757, a pivotal moment that significantly bolstered Imereti’s independence and Solomon’s authority. In the same year, recognizing the strategic importance of a united Georgian front, he forged a crucial alliance with his kinsman, Heraclius II, the visionary ruler of the eastern Georgian kingdoms of Kartli-Kakheti. This alliance marked a significant step towards a broader Georgian resistance against Ottoman and Persian ambitions.

Solomon’s reign was a constant struggle against external aggression. He successfully repelled two more substantial Ottoman invasions, one reportedly 20,000 strong and another numbering 13,000. The Ottomans also instigated incursions by North Caucasus tribes, one of which briefly succeeded in causing disruption, though another was effectively thwarted by Solomon’s forces.

Temporary Setbacks and Resilient Comebacks

Despite his many victories, Solomon's rule was not without its temporary setbacks. In 1765, the Ottomans managed to seize the capital city of Kutaisi and placed his cousin, Teimuraz, on the throne, a common tactic to destabilize the Bagrationi line. Yet, displaying his characteristic tenacity, Solomon staged a remarkable comeback in 1767, once again liberating Imereti from Turkish control and reclaiming his rightful place as king.

The Russian Connection: A Complex Alliance

The following year, a new Russo-Turkish War erupted, presenting both opportunities and risks for the Georgian kingdoms. In May 1769, Solomon traveled to Tbilisi to meet with Heraclius II, demonstrating the continuing strength of their alliance. Together, the two kings decided to seek military assistance from the burgeoning Russian Empire, requesting five Russian regiments. In exchange for joining the war against the Ottoman Empire, they sought a guarantee that Georgian interests, specifically their independence and territorial integrity, would be protected in any future Russo-Turkish peace settlement. Russia did send a small expeditionary force under General Gottlieb Heinrich Totleben. However, the general's notorious rudeness and condescending demeanor quickly alienated the Georgian monarchs and their people, leading to Totleben’s swift recall from Georgia, a precursor to the complex and often fraught relationship between Georgia and Russia.

Consolidating Power and Legacy

After the conclusion of the Russo-Turkish War, Solomon focused renewed attention on internal consolidation. He successfully brought his autonomist vassals, particularly the powerful princes of Mingrelia and Guria, into submission, thereby reinforcing the central authority of the Imeretian crown. He continued his campaign against Ottoman hegemony, achieving a significant diplomatic victory when the Ottomans were compelled to sign a treaty with Imereti. This treaty formally recognized Imereti's independence, ending its status as an Ottoman vassal state. Crucially, while it included a symbolic tribute of 60 women annually, it notably omitted any mention of the slave trade. Moreover, the treaty did not stipulate that these women had to be Georgians, a clause Solomon strategically never honored, effectively terminating the institutionalized slave tribute. His military prowess continued to be evident; in 1779, he crushed an Ottoman-sponsored insurrection in Abkhazia and led a series of successful military forays into the Turkish-controlled historical Georgian lands to the southwest.

King Solomon I the Great passed away in March 1784 and was laid to rest at the revered Gelati Monastery, a site of immense cultural and spiritual significance for Georgia. His legacy as a staunch defender of Georgian independence and a tireless reformer led to his canonization by the Georgian Orthodox Church on December 22, 2016, a testament to his enduring impact, with his feast day set for April 23 (or April 10 according to the Old Style calendar).

Solomon I's Family and Succession

Solomon I’s personal life involved three marriages. His first wife was Princess Tinatin Shervashidze. He then married Princess Mariam, the daughter of Otia Dadiani, Prince of Mingrelia, who passed away in 1778. His third marriage was to Princess Gulkan Tsulukidze (1730–1800).

He had five children: three sons and two daughters:

• Prince David: Born from Solomon’s first marriage to Princess Tinatin Shervashidze.
• Prince Alexander (1760–1780): Born to Princess Mariam Dadiani. Tragically, he led a revolt against his father, Solomon, in 1778, which ultimately failed.
• Princess Darejan (1756–1827): Also born to Princess Mariam Dadiani. In 1768, she married Prince Kaikhosro Abashidze. Their son, Ivane Abashidze, would later become a pretender to the throne of Imereti in 1820, highlighting the continued dynastic complexities.
• Princess Mariam (1769–1845): Another daughter of Princess Mariam Dadiani. She married Prince Elizbar Eristavi of Ksani (1738–1813).
• Prince Bagrat: An extramarital son, whose lineage further illustrates the challenges of succession in the period.

Frequently Asked Questions about Solomon I the Great

What made Solomon I "the Great"?

Solomon I earned the epithet "the Great" due to his unwavering commitment to strengthening and unifying the Kingdom of Imereti, his relentless fight against the Ottoman Empire's dominance and the detrimental slave trade, and his successful efforts to stabilize his kingdom through significant reforms, all contributing to a period of resurgence for western Georgia.

What were Solomon I's most significant achievements?

His most significant achievements include decisively defeating the Ottomans at the Battle of Khresili (1757), forging a crucial alliance with Heraclius II of Kartli-Kakheti, suppressing the internal slave trade, achieving formal recognition of Imereti's independence from the Ottoman Empire, and consolidating royal power over rebellious vassals. His legacy is also marked by his posthumous canonization by the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Why was the slave trade a major issue during Solomon I's reign?

The slave trade was a critical issue because it was a significant source of profit for rebellious nobles, weakening the kingdom internally, and was actively facilitated by the Ottoman authorities, who sought to destabilize Imereti and exploit its human resources. Solomon I viewed its suppression as essential for the kingdom's sovereignty and stability.

What was Solomon I's relationship with the Ottoman Empire and Russia?

Solomon I had a largely adversarial relationship with the Ottoman Empire, consistently resisting their attempts to control Imereti through military means and diplomatic pressure. With Russia, his relationship was more complex; he sought their military aid as a counterbalance to Ottoman influence, but early interactions, such as with General Totleben, revealed difficulties and cultural misunderstandings in establishing a reliable alliance.

When was Solomon I canonized and where is he buried?

Solomon I was canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church on December 22, 2016. His feast day is celebrated on April 23 (Gregorian calendar, corresponding to April 10 Old Style). He is buried at the historic Gelati Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site in western Georgia.