Drilebi (Drilae)

Drilebi (Drilae) was an ancient Western Georgian (Mingrelian-Chan) tribe. According to Arrian (2nd century AD) and an anonymous 5th-century author, the Drilebi were the same as the Sanni. The 6th-century historian Procopius of Caesarea refers to them as Chan in his time.

They lived in the mountainous region of the southeastern Black Sea coast, in the valley of the Kharshuti River. The Drilebi primarily engaged in animal husbandry and had well developed construction skills.

In 401 BC, the Greek general and historian Xenophon campaigned in their territory. He described the Drilebi as the bravest and most warlike people among the Pontic tribes. They inhabited mountainous, fortified, and inaccessible areas. Their capital city was so well fortified that even Xenophon's battle-hardened army could not capture it.

Sources and Literature: მიქელაძე თ., ქსენოფონტის „ანაბასისი" (ცნობები ქართველი ტომების შესახებ), თბ., 1967; М а к с и м о в а М. И., Античные города Юго-восточного Причерноморья, М.–Л., 1956; მ ი ს ი ვ ე, Местное население Юго-восточного Причерноморья по "Анабасису“ Ксенофонта: дрилы и моссиники, «Вестник древней истории», 1951, №1.

T. Mikeladze