Georgia, is a country located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia and has a unique history. One aspect of this history that sets it apart from many other countries is the lack of civil uprisings or revolutions. While almost all countries have experienced episodes where the disaffected population has united against the ruling government, Georgia has remained an exception.
There are several theories as to why Georgia never rebelled against its kings. One of the reasons could be its special religiosity. To this day, Georgia is a country where 90% of the population is devout Christians. According to old legends, Georgian kings (Bagrations) were believed to be descendants of King Solomon, establishing a direct connection to God for Georgians. This religious belief might have contributed to the people’s loyalty toward the kings.
Another reason could be the cult of the oath that exists in the Caucasian culture. In ancient Georgia, there were cases where a prisoner with a death sentence was released to say goodbye to his family based on an oath. The strong tradition of the oath and the manly code did not give Georgians the right to betray the king.
Despite the loyalty of the Georgians, there were often wars between the nobles in Georgia, which brought destabilization to the country. The nobles killed their brothers due to their ambitions, which weakened the idea of the unity of the country. The kings of united Georgia always tried to strengthen the influence of the central government in the regions, which caused even more irritation to the nobles, and the confrontation became stronger.
The existence of the manly code in ancient Georgia is well reflected in Georgian literature, particularly in the epic poem “Guest-Host” by Vazha Pshavela. The poem tells the story of two men, Joqola, a Muslim, and Zviadauri, a Christian, who meet by accident while hunting for deer in a damp forest. Despite their different religious and cultural backgrounds, they form a bond and celebrate their kill with a virile, ritualized dance.
However, their joy is short-lived as the village rallies around the elder Musa, who demands that Joqola turn over his guest to them. Joqola, citing the revered local mandate for civility and hospitality, refuses, leading to a descent into calamity orchestrated with paradoxical beauty. Drumbeats and ethereal recorded voices further cement the tension.
In conclusion, the history of Georgia is unique, and the absence of civil uprisings or revolutions is a significant aspect of it. While the reasons for this may be debatable, Georgia’s special religiosity and the cult of oath could be some of the contributing factors. The manly code also played a significant role in Georgian culture and literature, as reflected in the epic poem “Guest-Host” by Vazha Pshavela. Despite the lack of revolutions, Georgia has a rich and complex history that is worth exploring.
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Fermata Arts Foundation Georgia
Georgia and preservation of the cultural heritage