Demetre I.

Fresco of the Coronation of Demetre I from Mazchwarishi Monastery, Svaneti

Demetre I ( Georgian დემეტრე I ; * 1093 ; † after 1158 ) was Georgian king from 1125 to 1155 and from 1155 to 1156 .

Life

Son of King David IV. As crown prince he already acquired the reputation of a brave warrior and general, including in 1117 when he took the Kaladzor fortress in Shirvan and in 1121 in the battle of the Didgori . Appointed co-regent shortly before his father's death in 1125, as sole ruler he managed to secure his father's successes in foreign policy. Successful campaigns against the Iraqi Seljuks in 1125 and 1128, the Sultanate of Ahlat in 1126 and against the Emirate of Gəncə in 1139 secured the borders of Georgia.

In terms of domestic politics, Dimitri had to assert himself against the rebellious high nobility, who included Demetre's eldest son, David, in his intrigues. A first rebellion in 1150 Demetre still managed to suppress, but in 1155 David forced him to abdicate. Demetre had to go to a monastery. But David V ruled only six months and Demetre returned to the throne. In 1156 he finally handed over the rule to his son Giorgi III. and died after 1158 as a monk Damian.

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predecessor	Office	successor
David IV	King of Georgia 1125–1156	Giorgi III.