Leon III () was King of Abkhazia from 957 AD until 967 AD. He was the second son and successor of

George II George II or 2 may refer to: People * George II of Antioch (seventh century AD) * George II of Armenia (late ninth century) * George II of Abkhazia (916–960) * Patriarch George II of Alexandria (1021–1051) * George II of Georgia (1072–1089) ...

of the Anchabadze dynasty.

Life

He succeeded in 926 as

viceroy A viceroy () is an official who reigns over a polity in the name of and as the representative of the monarch of the territory. The term derives from the Latin prefix ''vice-'', meaning "in the place of" and the French word ''roy'', meaning "k ...

Kartli Kartli ( ka, ქართლი ) is a historical region in central-to-eastern Georgia traversed by the river Mtkvari (Kura), on which Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, is situated. Known to the Classical authors as Iberia, Kartli played a crucial rol ...

to his older brother Constantine, the latter was blinded and castrated by George II after Constantine's unsuccessful rebellion. George proceeded to campaign against the easternmost Georgian

Principality of Kakheti The Kingdom of Kakheti-Hereti ( ka, კახეთ-ჰერეთის სამეფო, tr) or just the First Kingdom of Kakheti was an early Medieval monarchy in eastern Georgia, centered at the province of Kakheti, with its capital first ...

whose ruler Kvirike II also pretended on parts of Kartli. George and Leon were supported by his brother-in-law prince Shurta, who was also natural brother of Kvirike, who ceded

Ujarma fortress Ujarma () is a medieval fortress-town at the Outer Kakheti region, in the municipality of Sagarejo Municipality, Georgia. It is located on the right bank of the river Iori, on the Tbilisi — Telavi road, 4 km (2.48 mi) north of Ujarma village ...

to Abkhazians. Kvirike was defeated and imprisoned, and released only after he had submitted to

vassal A vassal or liege subject is a person regarded as having a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch, in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe. While the subordinate party is called a vassal, the dominant party is called a suzerain. W ...

age.

Soon Kvirike returned to offensive and incited also the rebellion in Kartli. In 957, George sent a large army under his son, Leon, but the king died amid the expedition, and Leon had to make peace with Kvirike ending his campaign inconclusively. Kvirike was forced to agree to the marriage of his son

David David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...

, with the daughter of Leon. Unfortunately, the peace did not last long, as the princess died soon and mistrust returned between the two parties. Leon attacked Kakheti again and sacked Mukhnari, Kherki and Bazaleti; In this last place he became ill and died in 967. He was succeeded by his brother

Demetrius III of Abkhazia Demetrius III () was King of the Abkhazia from 967 AD until 975 AD. He was the third son of George II of the Anchabadze dynasty. He succeeded his brother Leon III, who died without a male heir. Life Demetrius III succeeded his brother Leon ...

. In 964 Leon III extended his influence to

Javakheti Javakheti ( ka, ჯავახეთი ) or Javakhk ( hy, Ջավախք, ''Javakhk'') is a historical province in southern Georgia, corresponding to the modern municipalities of Akhalkalaki, Aspindza (partly), Ninotsminda, and partly to the Turk ...

, during his reign was built

Kumurdo Cathedral Kumurdo Cathedral ( ka, კუმურდო) is a Georgian Orthodox Cathedral. It is situated on Javakheti Plateau, southwest from Akhalkalaki. According to the inscriptions on the walls, written with the ancient Georgian writing of Asomtavruli ...

Family

Leon married an unknown princess:

Issue

* Anonymous daughter, who marries David of Kakheti.

Genealogy

References

Bibliography

Marie-Félicité Brosset Marie-Félicité Brosset (24 January 1802 – 3 September 1880) was a French orientalist who specialized in Georgian and Armenian studies. He worked mostly in Russia. Early life and first works Marie-Félicité Brosset was born in Paris in ...

, ''Histoire de la Géorgie depuis l'Antiquité jusqu'au XIX^e siècle'', v. 1–7, Saint-Pétersbourg, 1848–58, p. 285-286. Leon 03 Leon 03 {{Georgia-noble-stub