Kolkhis

Revision as of 11:48, 30 October 2012

Coordinates:42° 11' 3" N, 41° 38' 10" E

Geographically, ancient Kolkis comprised the land bounded by the Black Sea to the west, the Caucasus Mountains to the north, the Surami Range to the east and the Meskhetian Mountains to the south. In this fertile, sheltered area, this civilization flourished. Their Late Bronze Age (fifteenth to eighth century BC) saw the development of an expertise in the smelting and casting of metals that began long before this skill was mastered in Europe. Sophisticated farming implements were made and fertile, well-watered lowlands blessed with a mild climate promoted the growth of progressive agricultural techniques.

Ancient Greek legends told of a fabulously wealthy land where Jason (Mycenaean king of Iolkos) and the Argonauts stole the Golden Fleece from King Aietes with the help of his daughter Medeia. It was a distant land that was reached by the Black Sea and then heading down the River Phasis. The site of this legendary kingdom has never been found but the Greeks must have been greatly impressed by the Kolkis region of Georgia, through which the River Phasis (now the River Rioni) runs, for such stories to have been born. Kolkis remained an important district bordering the kingdom of Iberia.

The Greek myths and stories about Kolkis end with Medus, Son of Jason and Medeia. His descendants and successors are unknown, because the only recorders of the kingdom's history (mythical or otherwise) are overthrown throughout much of Mycenaean Greece by the invading Dorians. Greece enters a Dark Age

It is referenced in the following articles