Azo (also known as Azon) was a legendary prince allegedly installed by Alexander the Great as a ruler of the Mtskheta tribe in what is now Georgia.
According to a medieval Georgian source “Moktsevai Kartlisai” (“The Christening of Georgia”,) Azo was a son of a king of the land of Arian-Kartli who brought 18 families to what is now the town of Mtskheta in eastern Georgia, and settled there to become a father of the nation.
According to another medieval Georgian author Leonti Mroveli , Azo was a Greek commander who accompanied Alexander the Great in his campaign against Caucasian Iberians. Azo killed a local tribal leader Samara and ruled the area until Samara’s nephew Parnavaz rose against him. Victorious in battle, Parnavaz became the first king of Iberia.
Some Georgian historians believe the legend reflects resettlement of proto-Iberian tribes from Asia Minor to the northwest, where they created a kind of tribal federation which became a basis for the kingdom of Iberia in the late 4th century BC.
Another theory suggests Azo may have been an officer in Alexander’s army (or in the army of one of Alexander's diadochoi) who seized power in Iberia, but was overthrown by rebels.
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Last updated: 05-21-2005 15:52:35
