Sanctity, gender and authority in Medieval Caucasia

Aleksidze, Nikoloz

Explores the political aspects of sainthood, martyrdom and relics in late antique Caucasia
The first systematic study of the history of the cult of saints and relics in Caucasia
Introduces and discusses a wide variety of sources: Armenian, Georgian, Byzantine, and Russian, that have not been studied together before
Offers an original approach on gender, sanctity and queenship in a less explored part of the world
Aimed at a wide readership, not just specialists
Includes maps and illustrations
From the early fourth century, the veneration of saints and relics spread rapidly across Christendom from the British Isles to Iran. In late antique Caucasia, the cult of the saints was immediately integrated into Armenian and Georgian identity and political discourses. It was used to legitimise royal rule, sanctify domains and dynasties, define political realms and justify political decisions. This book is the first systematic study of this history. Discussing a wide variety of sources from Armenia, Georgia, Byzantium and Russia which have not been examined together before, it investigates the interaction of sanctity, holy relics, gender and politics in the medieval Caucasus, with a particular focus on Georgia. Nikoloz Aleksidze analyses three chronological eras: the first section focuses on late antiquity and the early Middle Ages, when the cult of the relics was formed in Caucasian writing; the second explores the medieval era, when the Bagratids ruled in Georgia and the cults of figures such as St George, the Mother of God and Queen Tamar were shaped and politicised; and the third navigates a similar entanglement of sanctity, gender and political rhetoric in Russian Imperial and Georgian national discourse.