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  • Giorgi Saakadze: The Great Georgian Rebel Who Outfoxed Shah Abbas

    Giorgi Saakadze: The Great Georgian Rebel Who Outfoxed Shah Abbas
    2026/06/08
    In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the extraordinary life of Giorgi Saakadze, the brilliant Georgian commander who defied both his king and the Safavid Empire. We cover his early military victories for Shah Abbas I, his defection to the Georgian cause, and his masterful tactics at the Battle of Tashiskari in 1609. Then we follow his fall from grace, his flight to the Ottoman court, and his final, controversial battle at Marabda in 1625 where he fought alongside King Tamaz — only to be executed as a traitor. We discuss the political chaos of 17th-century Kartli and Kakheti, the Qizilbash system, and why Saakadze remains a polarizing figure in Georgian history. Specific details: the ambush at Tashiskari that annihilated a Safavid army, his role in the 1615 rebellion, and the historical mystery around his motives. A story of ambition, betrayal, and national survival. #GiorgiSaakadze #SafavidGeorgia #BattleOfTashiskari #BattleOfMarabda #ShahAbbasI #Kartli #Kakheti #Qizilbash #GeorgianHistory #17thCentury #CaucasusWars #Rebellion #KingTamaz #Mouravi #Tbilisi #SafavidEmpire #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    8 分
  • The 1089 Earthquake That Reshaped Georgia

    The 1089 Earthquake That Reshaped Georgia
    2026/06/08
    In 1089, a massive earthquake struck the Kingdom of Georgia, leveling cities and monasteries from Kutaisi to Mtskheta. For King George II, already struggling against Seljuk invasions, it was a catastrophe that sealed his doom. But for his son, the future David the Builder, the disaster became an opportunity. This episode looks at the earthquake itself — the geological forces, the destruction of the Gelati Monastery complex, the collapse of the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral dome — and how the Bagrationi monarchy turned rubble into a rallying cry. We discuss the contemporary chronicle in the Life of Kartli, the role of the katolikos (patriarch) in organizing relief, and how David IV later used the rebuilt churches to symbolize a unified Georgia. Plus: was the earthquake really divine punishment, as some monks wrote? We unpack the medieval theology of natural disaster. #1089Earthquake #Georgia #Bagrationi #DavidTheBuilder #GeorgeII #GelatiMonastery #Svetitskhoveli #Mtskheta #Kutaisi #Caucasus #Medieval #Earthquake #LifeOfKartli #Katolikos #RuisiUrbnisi #Byzantine #Seljuk #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    5 分
  • The Georgian Chronicles: How Medieval Monks Shaped National Memory

    The Georgian Chronicles: How Medieval Monks Shaped National Memory
    2026/06/07
    This episode dives into the Kartlis Tskhovreba, the medieval Georgian chronicle that shaped national identity. Lucas and Luna explore how monastic authors compiled centuries of history, blending fact and legend to forge a unified narrative for a fractured kingdom. They discuss the Life of Saint Nino, the Conversion of Kartli, and the epic tales of Kings Parnavaz and Vakhtang Gorgasali, while examining the chronicle's role in legitimizing Bagrationi rule. The conversation also touches on modern controversies: was the chronicle a reliable historical source or a political tool? Along the way, they consider how medieval historians in Georgia, like their counterparts in Europe and Byzantium, wove together oral traditions, biblical parallels, and royal propaganda. The episode ends with a reflection on how these stories continue to resonate in Georgia today, from national holidays to the revival of ancient scripts. #KartlisTskhovreba #GeorgianChronicles #MedievalGeorgia #Bagrationi #SaintNino #KingParnavaz #VakhtangGorgasali #ConversionOfKartli #Caucasus #HistoryOfGeorgia #MedievalHistoriography #MonasticChronicles #GeorgianOrthodox #Mtskheta #Tbilisi #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    7 分
  • Georgia's King David IV and the Kipchak Resettlement

    Georgia's King David IV and the Kipchak Resettlement
    2026/06/07
    In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a pivotal but often-overlooked chapter in Georgia's medieval history: King David IV's decision to resettle tens of thousands of Kipchak nomads from the northern Caucasus steppes into Georgia in the early 12th century. Facing relentless Seljuk incursions and a depleted army, David the Builder forged an unprecedented alliance, offering land, wages, and integration to these fierce warriors in exchange for military service. The episode traces the logistics of the mass migration, the cultural tensions that arose, and how the Kipchak cavalry became the backbone of Georgia's victories, including the 1121 Battle of Didgori. It also examines the lasting legacy: the gradual assimilation of the Kipchaks into Georgian society, with many adopting Christianity and Georgian names. Drawing on Georgian chronicles like the Life of Kartli and modern scholarship, this conversation sheds light on one of the most pragmatic and transformative policies of Georgia's golden age. #Georgia #DavidTheBuilder #Kipchaks #Didgori #MedievalGeorgia #Caucasus #Seljuks #Bagrationi #MilitaryHistory #Nomads #Qipchaghoba #LifeOfKartli #Kutaisi #Gelati #BattleOfDidgori #KingDavidIV #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    6 分
  • Vakhtang VI: Georgia's Lawgiver and Last King of Kartli

    Vakhtang VI: Georgia's Lawgiver and Last King of Kartli
    2026/06/06
    Long before Georgia fell under Russian rule, King Vakhtang VI of Kartli tried to save his kingdom through law, print, and diplomacy. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the life of the Bagrationi monarch who compiled the first Georgian law code, published the first printed books in Georgian, and negotiated between the Ottoman and Safavid empires. They discuss his exile to Russia, his tragic death in Astrakhan, and the legacy of his cultural reforms—including the establishment of a printing press in Tbilisi and the creation of the 'Vakhtang Code' that influenced Georgian law for centuries. Along the way, they touch on his relationship with the poet Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani, his efforts to modernize the kingdom, and the political intrigue that ultimately doomed his reign. A story of enlightenment and resilience in the shadow of empires. #VakhtangVI #Kartli #Georgia #Bagrationi #LawCode #PrintingPress #Safavid #Ottoman #Tbilisi #SulkhanSaba #Astrakhan #18thCentury #Caucasus #History #FexingoHistory #Enlightenment #KingsOfGeorgia #Diplomacy Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    6 分
  • Georgia's King David IV and the 1121 Battle of Didgori

    Georgia's King David IV and the 1121 Battle of Didgori
    2026/06/06
    In this episode of The History of Georgia, Lucas and Luna revisit the reign of David the Builder, but from a fresh angle: the legendary Battle of Didgori in 1121. They explore how David IV assembled a multi-ethnic army of Kipchaks, Alans, and Georgians, and used a daring feigned retreat to shatter a vastly larger Seljuk coalition. The conversation digs into the strategic deception that made Didgori a turning point for Georgia, the role of the Kipchak mercenaries, and how David's victory paved the way for Georgia's golden age under Queen Tamar. They also touch on the later myths surrounding the battle—including tales of 100,000 enemy corpses—versus the historical record. Along the way, Lucas highlights David's domestic reforms: the Gelati Academy, the church-building campaign, and his break with the Byzantine Empire. For listeners who already know the outline of David's reign, this episode offers a vivid, on-the-ground look at one of the most decisive military engagements in Georgian history. #DavidTheBuilder #BattleOfDidgori #Georgia #Caucasus #Seljuk #Kipchaks #MedievalHistory #MilitaryHistory #1121 #DavidIV #GelatiAcademy #FeignedRetreat #GoldenAge #Bagrationi #GeorgiaHistory #FexingoHistory #History #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    5 分
  • The Golden Age of Georgia: Queen Tamar's Reign

    The Golden Age of Georgia: Queen Tamar's Reign
    2026/06/05
    In this episode, hosts Lucas and Luna explore the reign of Queen Tamar, the most celebrated monarch of Georgia's Golden Age. They discuss her ascension to the throne in 1184, her marriage to David Soslan, and the military campaigns that expanded Georgia's influence across the Caucasus. Key events include the Battle of Shamkor in 1195 and the capture of Trebizond in 1204. Lucas explains how Tamar's court fostered a cultural renaissance, including patronage of the poet Shota Rustaveli. The episode also touches on the challenges Tamar faced as a female ruler in a patriarchal society, including a revolt led by her ex-husband Yury Bogolyubsky. Listeners will learn about Tamar's legacy as 'King of Kings' and her role in solidifying Georgia as a regional power. #QueenTamar #Georgia #GoldenAge #DavidSoslan #BattleOfShamkor #Trebizond #ShotaRustaveli #Bagrationi #Caucasus #MedievalHistory #FemaleRulers #GeorgianHistory #Sakartvelo #Crusades #Tbilisi #GelatiMonastery #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    6 分
  • Georgia's David the Builder: Uniting a Kingdom Against the Seljuks

    Georgia's David the Builder: Uniting a Kingdom Against the Seljuks
    2026/06/05
    In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the reign of David IV of Georgia, known as David the Builder, who transformed a fragmented kingdom into a regional power in the early 12th century. They discuss his childhood as a hostage at the Seljuk court, his return to power, and his radical military reforms that created a new army from resettled Kipchak nomads. The episode details the pivotal 1121 Battle of Didgori, where David's smaller force routed a massive coalition of Muslim armies, earning the battle the name 'the Georgian Cannae.' They also cover David's cultural legacy, including the founding of the Gelati Academy and his role in Georgia's Golden Age. The conversation touches on the delicate balance of faith, diplomacy, and warfare that defined his rule, as well as the lasting impact of his unification of Kartli and Kakheti. This episode offers a vivid portrait of a medieval king who wielded both sword and pen to forge a nation. #DavidTheBuilder #KingdomOfGeorgia #SeljukEmpire #BattleOfDidgori #MedievalGeorgia #CaucasusHistory #Kipchaks #BagrationiDynasty #GelatiAcademy #GeorgianGoldenAge #Kartli #Kakheti #1121 #ByzantineEmpire #Crusades #History #FexingoHistory #GeorgianHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    7 分