David V ( ka, დავით V, tr; 1113 — 1155), of the

Bagrationi dynasty The Bagrationi dynasty (; ) is a royal family, royal dynasty which reigned in Georgia (country), Georgia from the Middle Ages until the early 19th century, being among the oldest extant Christianity, Christian ruling dynasties in the world. In ...

, was the

king King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...

('' mepe'') of the

Kingdom of Georgia The Kingdom of Georgia (), also known as the Georgian Empire, was a Middle Ages, medieval Eurasian monarchy that was founded in Anno Domini, AD. It reached Georgian Golden Age, its Golden Age of political and economic strength during the reign ...

from 1154 until his death in 1155.

Life

David was born around 1113 and was the eldest son of Prince

Demetrius Demetrius is the Latinization of names, Latinized form of the Ancient Greek male name, male Greek given names, given name ''Dēmḗtrios'' (), meaning "devoted to goddess Demeter". Alternate forms include Demetrios, Dimitrios, Dimitris, Dmytro, ...

and grandson of King David IV the Builder who was reigning at that time. In the 1140s, King Demetrius I had quarreled and disinherited David and chosen his youngest son, Prince George, as

heir apparent An heir apparent is a person who is first in the order of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting by the birth of another person. A person who is first in the current order of succession but could be displaced by the birth of a more e ...

. Why they quarreled is unknown: perhaps over David's personal defects. probably, for the Abuletisdze family and the status of the city of Ani. Those who had supported Prince Vakhtang during an attempted coup against Demetrius I now opposed Demetrius' unprecedented disinheritance of David and approved the surrender of Ani to Muslim rule. Vasak Artsruni and his brother, who negotiated Saltuk's release, were active supporters of David. A first coup attempt failed around 1150, but in 1154 David's coup against his father succeeded. Demetrius was banished to a monastery and David ascended the throne as David V. After the overthrown of Demetrius, David V granted the office of Amirspasalar (Commander-in-Chief) to Kirkish (Tirkash), son of Ivane Abuletisdze who was exposed in a plot against Demetrius and executed by the Demetrius' orders in 1130s. Kirkish's promotion upset Sumbat I and Ivane II Orbeli.Robert Bedrosian, "Amirspasalar", in: Joseph Reese Strayer (1983), '' Dictionary of the Middle Ages'', p. 235. Scribner, . David V died suddenly six months after becoming king. According to

Vardan Areveltsi Vardan Areveltsi (; Vardan the Easterner, – 1271 AD) was a medieval Armenian historian, geographer, philosopher and translator. In addition to establishing numerous schools and monasteries, he also left behind a rich contribution to Armen ...

, David was poisoned by Sumbat I and Ivane II Orbeli, who the Orbelis had made an agreement with the Prince George that he would appoint them generals. According to precedence and law, after David's death, his young son, Prince Demna should have inherited the throne. But Demetrius was restored to the throne, and he crowned his younger son, George, as co-ruler and retired to David Gareja monastery. Others allege that Demetrius had also died, and that George then seized the throne illicitly. According to the Armenian historian Stepanos Orbelian, gives his family's version of the events, which, unsurprisingly, exonerates them but still firmly condemns George. Stepanos denies any family involvement in the murder of David V and says that George had sworn to David V that he would rule only until Demna reached his majority, but then reneged on his vow. He claims that the Orbelis had been the witnesses of this vow and that they led the 1177 revolt to restore Demna, who was now adult, to his rightful position.

Family

David V’s wife is unknown. They had one child: *Prince Demna (born before 1155 – died c. 1178), a pretender to the throne of Georgia.

References

Bibliography

* * *

Life

Family

References

Bibliography

See also