Reflection of Mongolian Imperial Ideas in the Medieval Georgian Sources

Abstract

The article is a logical continuation of the previously published work [Drobyshev, 2019], devoted to review of Armenian sources of the period of United Mongolian Empire and states formed as a result of its disintegration (in this case – Ilkhanate), and is also aimed at identifying plots that demonstrate certain manifestations of the Imperial ideology of the Mongols. The analysis of such plots allows solving a twofold problem: on the one hand, it provides the actual material for reconstruction of the Imperial ideology, on the other – demonstrates perception of the Mongols by different cultures faced with the Mongol invasion. The author focuses on the only major work of Georgian historiography that has survived to the present day and contains abundant information about events that took place in the Georgian Kingdom in XIII – early XIV centuries – an anonymous “Centennial Chronicle”. In addition to presenting current events, it includes legends about the coming of Genghis Khan to power, the origin of his laws – the Great Yasa, and early history of the Mongol Empire. Some of this information finds parallels in other sources, primarily Armenians and Persians, some may be considered original. In general, it can be assumed that the Georgian assessment of the Mongol invaders and their elite, as well as their reasons for invasion is characteristic of the Christian historiography of South Caucasus and Middle East.