Colchis

In this episode, we explore Colchis, the ancient Georgian kingdom on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and a key foundation in the early history of Georgia. We trace its development from antiquity, its role as a center of trade and metalworking, and its encounters with powerful neighbors including the Achaemenid Empire, the Kingdom of Pontus, and Rome. We also examine Colchis’s enduring place in Greek mythology as the homeland of Medea and the destination of Jason and the Argonauts in their search for the Golden Fleece, while considering the region’s importance to Caucasian history, ancient coinage, and the formation of the Kartvelian peoples.