Kotovich, Johann von

Kotovich (Kootwich, Cotovicus), Johann von (d. 1629), Dutch lawyer, traveled to Jerusalem and Syria, about which he recounts in his work Description of a Journey to Jerusalem and Syria. In Jerusalem, Kotovich saw Georgian troops who had come to pray with unfurled banners. According to Iv. Javakhishvili, this must have been the state banner of Georgia.

Kotovich writes: "The Georgians venerated St. George more than other saints and always carried with them his image depicted on military banners."

Literary works: Itinerarium Hierosolymtanum et Syriacum etc., Antv., MDC XIX, 1619.

Literature: თვარაძე ალ., საქართველო და კავკასია ევროპულ წყაროებში, თბ., 2004; ჯავახიშვილი ივ., თხზულებანი თორმეტ ტომად, ტ. 7, თბ., 1984.