Bronewski Simon

Simon Bronewski (1763–17. XII. 1830) was a Russian statesman and military figure and a Caucasiologist. He was appointed as the head of the office of Viceroy of the Caucasus.

His position in Tbilisi allowed him to work on and expand earlier studies (since 1796) in the field of Caucasiology. Based on existing literature and his collected materials, he published "Caucasian Essays" in two volumes.

The first volume contains geographical information about the Caucasus and Georgia. It provides description of various regions, river networks (Mtkvari, Rioni, Chorokhi), seas and lakes, the fauna, and different ethnic groups living in the Caucasus, their religion, and way of life, Georgian mountains, etc. The author divides the history of the region into Greek, Roman, Turkish-Persian, and Russian periods. Bronewski’s works are valuable source of detailed information about Georgian regions, the activities and lifestyles of the people, and the characteristics of their languages and religions.

The second volume is about the Northern Caucasus (including Astrakhan). The book also reviews documents related to Russo-Georgian relations (preserved in the manuscript collection of the Oriental Institute of the St. Petersburg branch).

Literary works: Новейшие географические и исторические известия о Кавказе, собранные и пополненные Семеном Броневски, кн. 1–2, М., 1823–24.

F. Sikharulidze