Abulasan () was a 12th-century
Georgian politician, who served as
mayor of
Tbilisi and
Eristavi of
Kartli (1185–1188).
Biography
During a revolt of
treasurer Qutlu Arslan, Abulasan joined a group of unranked class and wealthy citizens in a struggle to limit the royal authority in 1191, which concluded with the arrest of Qutlu Arslan; his supporters were inveigled into submission. In case to avoid next waves of rebellion,
Queen Tamar elevated Abulasan to the office of ''
amirtamira'' of
Tbilisi, thus making him assistant of ''
mechurchletukhutsesi ''Mechurchletukhutsesi'' ( ka, მეჭურჭლეთუხუცესი) was the office of royal treasurer in the Medieval Georgia. The Royal Court Regulations described his position as exclusive: he dealt with customs, income tax, tax on m ...
'' (treasurer).
some other historians believe that he was also invited in the "Darbazi" (
Royal Council) as a representative of the merchant-class.
The queen Tamar's marriage was a question of state-importance. Every group strove to select and secure the acceptance of its candidate in order to strengthen its position and influence at court. Two main factions fought for the influence in Tamar's court: clan of
Mkhargrdzeli and Abulasan. The faction of the Abulasan won, the choice was approved by Tamar's aunt Rusudan and council of feudal lords.
[* .] Their choice fell on
Yuri, son of the murdered prince
Andrey Bogolyubsky of
Vladimir-Suzdal, who then lived as a refugee among the
Kipchaks
The Kipchaks or Qipchaks, also known as Kipchak Turks or Polovtsians, were a Turkic nomadic people and confederation that existed in the Middle Ages, inhabiting parts of the Eurasian Steppe. First mentioned in the 8th century as part of the Se ...
of the
North Caucasus. Abulasan called an influential person in the kingdom, the great merchant
Zankan Zorababeli. and ordered him to bring the bridegroom to Tbilisi, the latter fulfilled his mission with zeal, the prince was brought to Georgia to marry the queen in 1185.
[* .] Favoured by Yuri, Abulasan obtained promotion and became the "mechurchletukhutsesi" ''(1187–1188)'' of the state, he was also appointed as
Eristavi of
Kartli (which was deprived of from
Rati Surameli)''.'' After the banishment of Yuri from the Georgian court, Abulasan was deprived all the office and his possessions were confiscated.
References
Politicians from Georgia (country)
12th-century people from Georgia (country)
{{Georgia-hist-stub