The title King was preferred to
Queen, as it emphasised the fact
that Tamar ruled in her own right
and not as consort to her husbandEmpire to raise Georgia’s profile and influence on the
international stage. Tamar’s envoys were received as far
away as Jerusalem and, unlike other Christian pilgrims,
they were allowed free passage into the city.Georgia’s Golden Age
Tamar’s accomplishments were not only on the
battlefield, however. She was a great reformer and
able to unify numerous kingdoms and principalities
within Georgia, ushering in what is considered to be
the country’s Golden Age. Chroniclers in Georgia and
abroad praised her attributes and power. Tamar was
proclaimed as “Master of the Lands”, “King of Kings”,
“Father of Orphans” and “Champion of the Messiah”.
The title King was preferred to Queen as it emphasised
the fact that Tamar ruled in her own right and not as
the consort of her husband.
Tribute poured into the Georgian court, and trade in
the empire flourished. Tamar’s royal treasury boomed.
Ecclesiastical art, literature and magnificent illustrated
manuscripts all flourished. Under Tamar’s patronage,
new cathedrals were founded and iconography was
modified to highlight her unprecedented beauty andleFt A 50 lari banknote,
Georgia’s currency, depicting
Tamar and an ancient centaurbelow leFt Tamar was
canonised as a saint and her
feast day celebrated on 14
May every yearTREBIZONDPHOTO © IVAN VDOVIN/ALAMY