Alexander II (king of Kakheti)

He sought to pursue a cautious policy, maneuvering between the powers that fought for control of the Transcaucasus — the Ottoman Empire and Iran (see the Iran-Turkish Wars ), and also sought an alliance with Russia .

In 1578 he recognized himself as a vassal of the Ottoman Empire. To strengthen the country's defense, he sought to restore fortified cities and fortified monasteries, and purchased weapons in Moscow. Under Alexander II, trade relations of Kakheti with other countries expanded.

Despite the difficult foreign policy situation during the reign of Alexander II, cities (especially Gremi , Dzegami), and agriculture developed. Trade relations were established with European and Asian countries (exported: silk , wine , walnuts, spices).

Upon accession to the throne, he declared himself a vassal of Iran, but since 1578 - the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was not satisfied with the vassal dependence of Kakheti and it incited the mountaineer tribes dependent on it, which inflicted huge damage to Kakheti. The Tsar saw a way out of this situation in relations with Russia.

In 1587, the Georgian-Russian Union was formed. In 1589, received from the Tsar of Russia an official confirmation of support. The rapprochement between Russia and Kakheti worried Iran, although in the struggle against the Ottoman Empire, he hoped for Russia's support. Trying to undermine the throne of Tsar Alexander II, the Iranian Shah plotted.

In October 1601, the son of Alexander II, David forced his father to get a haircut as a monk and declared himself king of Kakheti. One year later, on October 2, 1602, David died suddenly and Alexander II returned to the reign of Kakheti.

In November 1603, Shah Abbas I with the troops approached Yerevan and made an appointment with the kings of Kartli and Kakheti. For a long time, Alexander II avoided the meeting, but in April 1604 the meeting took place. Until 1605, Tsar Alexander II remained at the court of Shah Abbas I. Having received the order to take Shirvan, the Shah sent an army of kizylbash with the king, as well as the son of Constantine Mirza who had been brought up at the court of the Shah and converted to Islam.

Returning to Kakheti, Alexander II learned that the Russian army, fulfilling allied obligations, went on a campaign against Shamkhalat . The Russian ambassadors unsuccessfully tried to persuade Kakheti as an ally to provide support on their part. Despite the persistent demands of Konstantin Mirza, Alexander II was in no hurry to go on a campaign against Shirvan .

With the beginning of the next war between Iran and Turkey in 1603, entered into an alliance with Iran and recognized himself as a vassal of Shah Abbas I. The troops of Kakheti took part in the war on the side of Iran, in particular in the siege of the Yerevan fortress.

On March 12, 1605, Alexander II, Tsarevich Georgy and the Kakhetian nobles present at the meeting (at the instigation of Abbas I) were put to death in the royal palace in the city of Dzegami on the orders of Konstantin Mirza.

was married for the first time to Tinatin, daughter of Prince Bardzim Amilahvari , in this marriage were born:

• Heraclius (d. 1589), was married to the daughter of a Circassian prince
• David I , king of Kakheti (1601-1602)
• George (d. 1605)
• Konstantin I , king of Kakheti (1605)
• Anton
• Height
• Nestan-Darejan, the princess, was married to the ruler of Megrelia Manuchar I Dadiani .
• Anna, was married to Bagrat VII , king of Kartli (1616-1619)
• daughter, was married to the Persian prince Hamza-Mirza

the second marriage was married to a certain Tamara, was born in this marriage

• Iowel

• Slavic Encyclopedia. Kievan Rus - Muscovy: in 2 volumes / Compiled by V.V. Boguslavsky . - T. 1 . - S. 14.