Basiani

Basiani (Georgian: ბასიანი), also known as Phasiane, was a region in historical southwestern Georgia. the name is derived from ancient Colchis tribes Phasians (Phazians), name of this tribe seems to have survived in the latter-day regional toponyms – Georgian Basiani, Greek Phasiane, Armenian Basean, and Turkish Pasin.

Map showing the historical Georgian region of Basiani.

Georgian Kingdom of Tao-Klarjeti, X century.

in VIII-VII B.C. province was part of Urartu, then after forming of Armenian Kingdom, in 2th century B.C, Basiani became part of Greater Armenia, in 384, it was battlefield between Rome and Persia, at the end province was conquered by Persians. in VII-VIII century, the province was conquered by Arab Caliphate, after weakening of Arabs, it was conquered by Georgian princedoms of Tao-Klarjeti. in X century, border between Byzantine and Tao-Klarjeti, went along Aras river, therefore part of northern Basiani became domain of Georgian Bagratids. in 1001 year, after the death of David Kuropalates, hither Tao and Basiani was inherited by emperor of Byzantine Basil II, these provinces were organized by Basil II into the theme of Iberia with the capital at Theodosiopolis. however, after forming of Georgian Kingdom, Bagrat’s son, George I, inherited a longstanding claim to David’s succession. While Basil was preoccupied with his Bulgarian campaigns, George gained momentum to invade Tao and Basiani in 1014, which caused unsuccessful Byzantine-Georgian wars. Despite the territorial losses to Basil II, many of the territories ceded to the empire were conquered by the Seljuk Turks in 1070s-1080s, but were then retaken by the Georgian King David IV. In XIII century, at Battle of Basian, Georgians defeated army of Rum Sultanate. the province has been part of the united Kingdom of Georgia as an ordinary duchy till 1545 year, when Basiani was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. in XVII century, it became a sanjak of Erzurum Vilayet.

Basiani

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