Vakhtang VI of Kartli

Vakhtang VI. (Georgian ვახტანგ VI, Persian Hussein Kuli Khan; * September 15, 1675, † March 27, 1737 in Astrakhan) was a Georgian king under Persian rule. He ruled intermittently from 1711 to 1723 and distinguished himself primarily as a scientist and poet.

Life

Already from 1703 to 1711 was governor of Kartli Vakhtang - Georgia for the Kings Giorgi XI. ( 1703/ 09) and Kaichosrau (1709 /11), who had to go as Persian governors to Kandahar in Afghanistan and fell there in the fight against the rebellious Afghans. Already in this office led by Vakhtang extensive reforms in the Kingdom of Kartli.

1711 Vakhtang was appointed by the Persians to the king of Georgia. After long years of war he Restored a certain order in the country and united the provinces. Roads, bridges and canals were built, coinage improved, strengthened trade and crafts. In foreign policy, he tried for many years to move closer to Western monarchies, especially in France (see Sulkhan - Saba Orbeliani ), and later to Russia.

Vakhtang VI. entertained from the beginning a close relationship with the then active in Kartli Capuchin missionaries. However, this is not surprising, because even his uncle Giorgi XI. and his tutor Sulkhan - Saba Orbeliani were converts and sat down heavily in alliance with absolutist European monarchs ( Orbeliani was already since 1713 on Wachtangs instigation go in Clement XI. , and Louis XIV ). With the support of the Capuchins Vakhtang 1709 was founded the first printing house in Tbilisi, which he could then use for its lively literary and legislative activity. His approach to the Catholic church by the missionaries led - probably in the time of the captivity in Persia around 1716 - to his acceptance of the Catholic faith, which, however, remained in secret "because of the betrayal in my area ." This is reported by Vakhtang VI. even in his famous letters to Innocent XIII. and the Emperor Charles VI. of 29 November 1722 where he asked to be political, but also to the church support. The desired assistance failed to materialize eventually.

Vakhtang VI. was the author and editor of numerous historical treatises. The Code of Vakhtang he committed a number of criminal and civil laws. In 1709 he introduced the first printing press in Georgia. At the 1712 printed edition of stretching in tiger skin, he wrote an extensive commentary, let the first Georgian dictionary and Fables of La Fontaine embarrassed. Young Georgians he sent to study medicine after Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

1723 Vakhtang was deposed as king and emigrated to Russia. He lived in exile in Moscow to 1735, then moved to Astrakhan on the Volga, where he died and is buried today in a Russian Orthodox church. Government of Georgia shall endeavor to transfer the mortal remains of the king to Tbilisi.

Writings

• Vakhtang VI. Histoire ancienne, de jusqu'en 1469 J.-C. P - Pétersbourg, Eggers & Co.; Leipzig, Voss, 1849-51
• Vakhtang VI. Istoriebri a · · g.cera girstha hsomisa semthhweulebatha Sakharthwelosa S'a a · g.ceritha zneobatha because cveulebatha ... thhzuli ... Gamoc. Tbilisi, Kiladze, 1914