Artaani
Artaani, or Artaani, is a historical region and a fortified city in South Georgia, on the upper course of the Mtkvari River. Along with the name Artaani, the term "Artahani" (from Turkish "Ardahan" and Russian "Ardagan") is used. It was initially the name of the region. There used to be "Zena Artaani" and "Kuena Artaani." The first term meant the right bank of Mtkvari, while the second meant the left bank.
According to Leonti Mroveli (11th century), Javakhos, son of legendary Mtskhetos, built the city. Originally, it was named “Kajta Kalaki” and became "Huri" during the time of Leonti Mroveli. According to him, King Parnavaz I (3rd century BC) created Tsunda Saeristavo (principality) that included Artaani, Javakheti, and Kola. Erusheti was also part of Artaani, where King Vakhtang Gorgasali (5th century) founded an episcopate. In the 8th century, Artaani was a residence for Adarnase, ruler of Tao-Klarjeti. In the 9th century, Guram Mampali freed Artaani from Arab rule, along with other regions of Georgia. In the era of Tamar (12th–13th centuries), Artaani was a border region headed by Spasalar of Samtskhe. In the following years, this region was included in the territories of the Atabags of Samtskhe. During the 16th century, Artaani became part of the Ottoman Empire along with other regions in South Georgia. Two administrative units were created: the Grand Artaani (part of Gurjistan Vilayet) and the Little Artaani (part of Kars Vilayet). The 17th-century author Katib Celebi mentions a settlement and a castle, both named Artaani.
During the Russian-Ottoman War of 1877–78, the city and region of Artaani were captured by Russian troops. With the signing of the San Stefano Treaty (1878) and the Berlin Treaty (1878), Artaani passed under the control of the Russian Empire. In 1918, it was occupied by the Ottomans, but in 1919, in August–November, it was returned to Georgia under the leadership of General G. Kvinitadze. In 1921, according to the Moscow Agreement between Russia and Turkey, Artaani became part of Turkey.
Source: ათიბ ჩელების ცნობები საქართველოსა და კავკასიის შესახებ, გ. ალასანიას გამოც., თბ., 1978; ქართლის ცხოვრება, ს. ყაუხჩიშვილის გამოც., ტ. 1– 2, თბ., 1955–59; ქართული სამართლის ძეგლები, ი. დოლიძის გამოც., ტ. 3, თბ., 1970; ჩილდირის ეიალეთის ჯაბა დავთარი. 1694 – 1732 წწ., ც. აბულაძისა და მ. სვანიძის გამოც., თბ., 1979; ჯიქია ს., გურჯისტანის ვილაიეთის დიდი დავთარი, წგ. 3, თბ., 1958.
D. Berdzenishvili
