Shalva Akhaltsikheli
Shalva Akhaltsikheli (Georgian: შალვა თორელი-ახალციხელი) (died 1227) was a Georgian military commander and courtier, of the noble house of Toreli-Akhaltsikheli.
Shalva Akhaltsikheli | |
|---|---|
| Duke of Akhalkalaki | |
| In office ?–1226 | |
| Preceded by | Kakha II Toreli |
| Succeeded by | Gamrekeli III Toreli |
| Mechurchletukhutsesi | |
| In office 1212–1222 | |
| Preceded by | Abulasan |
| Succeeded by | Ivane I Jaqeli |
| Mandaturtukhutsesi | |
| In office 1202/3–1215 | |
| Preceded by | Zakare II Zakarian |
| Succeeded by | Shahnshah Zakarian |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | 1227 |
| Nationality | Georgian |
| Children | Pharadavla Akhaltsikheli |
| Military service | |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Shamkor Battle of Basiani Battle of Garni |
Shalva was one of the most notable military commanders during a series of expansionist wars waged by the Kingdom of Georgia under Queen Tamar (r. 1184–1213). He consecutively held top posts of mechurchletukhutsesi (Lord High Treasurer) and mandaturtukhutsesi (Lord High Mandator) at Tamar's court.
Biography edit
Together with his brother Ivane, Shalva was in command of vanguard traditionally composed of the Meskhetian troops from south Georgia. In the battle of Shamkor against the Eldiguzids in 1195, he captured a war banner sent by the Caliph to the Muslim army which was then donated to the revered icon of Our Lady of Khakhuli. In 1206/1207, Shalva, together with Sargis Tmogveli, took hold of the city of Kars from the Seljuks and ivane was appointed as the governor of the Kars county.
When the Khwarazmid shah Jalal al-Din Mangburni surged into the Caucasus in 1225, Shalva and his brother Ivane were again placed in charge of the vanguard of the Georgian army commanded by atabeg Ivane Mkhargrdzeli. There was some enmity between Ivane and the two Akhaltsikheli brothers. This was possibly the reason why Mkhargrdzeli did not allow his army to fight in the battle of Garni. The two brothers did battle and were routed. Shalva was wounded and captured and his brother Ivane was killed while retreating to the mountains. Having spent some time in honorary captivity, Shalva was put to death for not apostatizing to Islam at Jalal al-Din's order. Subsequently, he was canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church which commemorates him on June 17/June 30 (O.S.).[1]
Shalva is traditionally believed to be praised in a patriotic Georgian folk ballad Shavlego, which was particularly popular during the national mobilization against the Soviet Union in the late 1980s.
References edit
- ^ St Shalva of Akhaltsikhe. Orthodox Church in America. Retrieved on March 29, 2009