What to see in Kartli region
Kartli is a territory where the eastern and western cultures of Georgia have united. Traces of settlement are confirmed from the Early Bronze Age. There were developed farming, cattle breeding, metallurgy and ceramics.
In the 4th-3rd century AD, the United Kingdom of Iberia was created under the leadership of King Parnavaz. The center of Iberia at that time was the city of Mtskheta. Started the creation of the first Georgian script and monuments of idolatry.
In 65 BC Roman Pompey invaded Kartli and conquered it. After that Iberia established military and trade relations with Rome. The Kingdom was obliged to close and protect the roads coming from the North Caucasus. In the I-III centuries, this relationship was further strengthened.
Feudal relations have been established in Kartli since the 4th century. Christianity is declared the state religion and begins the construction of a new capital city -Tbilisi. The construction started by King Vakhtang Gorgasali was completed by his son in the VI century. The capital city moved from Mtskheta to Tbilisi.
The development of the region, as well as the whole country, was hindered by the domination of the Arabs and the Turks in Georgia. This period lasted from the VII century until 1121 when in the legendary battle of Didgori the greatest king David the Builder defeated the Turkish army. In 1122, Tbilisi was liberated and became the capital of united Georgia.
The era of strength and independence did not last long. From the 13th century, the country was again weakened by battles with new enemies. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, Georgia was completely cut off from the countries of the West. Georgians turned to Russia for help in the fight against the Ottoman Empire. At first, Russia falsely maintained friendly relations, but in 1801 it violated the treaty of patronage and Georgia joined the Russian Empire.
Until independence, the entire country was annexed to the Russian Empire and then to the Soviet Union.
