[celtic]

This entry is especially for my friend of yore, A. C. Thomson.



You will certainly recall our joint visit (with Joyce) to Imereti. As you remember, in Gelati we were shown gates brought over by Demetre, King of Georgia, from 'Gyandja'. I remember hearing of a battle and a major Georgian victory of some sort.



Well, here's what one historicist, namely Kirakos Gandzaketsi (of 'Gyandja') has to say about the event:

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"In 588 A.E. [1139], there was a severe earthquake which destroyed the city of Gandzak. The city's buildings collapsed upon their inhabitants. King Demetre of Georgia, father of David and Giorgi came and took the city's doors to his land. Because of this earthquake, the Mt. Alharak crumbled and blocked the valley which led through to it. And thus a small lake was created there which exists to this day. It has excellent fish."



Now a quiz question for you:



How many in Ganja would have been bothered about the gate when mountaiins crumbled?



Kinda characteristic.

Cheers!