Vakhtang III

Vakhtang III, born in the year one thousand two hundred seventy-eight, was a notable figure in Georgian royalty, reigning from one thousand three hundred two to one thousand three hundred eight. His rule occurred during a tumultuous period marked by Mongol dominance over Georgia, a time that shaped his leadership and military engagements.

As the son of Demetrius II of Georgia and his Trapezuntine wife, Vakhtang was appointed by the Ilkhan Ghazan as a rival king to his brother David VIII, who had taken a stand against Mongol authority. Despite this appointment, Vakhtang's control was limited primarily to the capital city of Tbilisi and certain southern and eastern provinces of the kingdom.

In a bid to stabilize the region, Vakhtang and David VIII eventually reached an agreement to jointly govern the kingdom. However, much of Vakhtang's reign was characterized by his role as a commander of Georgian and Armenian forces, participating in numerous Mongol campaigns, including significant military actions against Damascus in one thousand three hundred three and Gilan in one thousand three hundred four.