ქართველიშვილი, თეათეაქართველიშვილიKartvelishvili, TeaTeaKartvelishvili2025-03-172025-03-172020https://openscience.ge/handle/1/8289After Peace of Amasya of 1555, Samtskhe-Saatabago has become the subject of conflicts between Ottomans and Persians. Before 1639, the truce terms in almost all wars included provisions related to Samtskhe-Saatabago, to greater or lesser extent and amended agreements made before. After year 1578, in Samtskhe-Saatabago, the Ottomans were at the leading positions, though Safavid state, strengthened by Shah Abbas I (1587-1629) could not accept the success of Ottomans and made efforts to spread its influence over Samtskhe, at least, its eastern part, which, in addition, was received by it according to the peace conditions. Georgian politicians took advantage of the disagreement between the large empires and attempted to maintain Samtskhe in Georgian political space though they failed to do so. Interests of the Safavids were demonstrated by the attitude of Georgian Moslem kings (Svimon II, Rostom) to Samtskhe Saataabago. Georgian narrative sources contain almost nothing about this, but the data are provided in the documentary sources. The document dated back by 1619, issued by Svimon II to Atanase Tatishvili, Bishop of Manglisi, dealing with the battle for Atskuri Fortress is of significance in this respect. These facts are mentioned also in the document issued by King Rostom to David Pavlenishvili in 1642. Analysis of the documents showed that in 1619, before truce between Iran and Ottoman Empire, there was an attack on Atskuri, planned by Iran and performed by the encirclement of Svimon II. Supposedly, the attack was arranged by the Iranians who have come to Kartli at a time of enthronement of Svimon II, together with the Georgians. Among Georgian participants, there are known the representatives of feudal houses of Shalikashvili and Pavlenishvili. It is notable that Shalikashvili were the nobles who have migrated from Samtskhe. Forefathers of Pavlenishvili were related to Samtskhe as well. It is clear that the participants of the operation were the nobles who had the property interests, i.e. the lands and vassals in Samtskhe. Activation of the interest to Samtskhe Saatabago from the side of Moslem kings of Kartli was directly related to the events at international arena, between Iran and Ottoman Empire. In 1636, Sultan Murad IV conquered Yerevan. Shah Safi arranged the campaign in response and regained the city. Simultaneously with the operation of Iranians, King Rostom attacked Samtskhe and ravaged it. In the deed of gift granted by Rostom to Papuna Baratashvili-Gostashabishvili there is mentioned that Papuna’s father, Gostashab Baratashvili has participated in this operation and was killed in battle. Rostom’s document issued to Khutsia Chantadze and Giorgi Tegadze of Dvalta dealt with the same battle as well. It is significant that Rostom, Moslem Vali of Kartli, for the purpose of maintaining of Samtskhe, supported Christianity there and attempted to appoint his candidate, Ioseb Saakaadze to Atskuri Cathedra. Moslem kings of Kartli, Svimon II and Rostom were assigned by Iran and they implemented Iranian policies in the region. Thus, each operation organized by them, especially the military operations were ordered by Safavids and responded to the political situation in Near East.kaსამცხე საათაბაგოსვიმონ IIმეფე როსტომისეფიანთა ირანიდოკუმენტური წყაროებიSamtskhe SaatabagoSvimon IIKing RostomSafavid IranDocumentary sourcesjournal articlehttps://doi.org/10.48616/openscience-560