# Beka I Jaqeli

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Georgian ruling prince

Beka I Jaqeli Fresco of Beka I Jaqeli from the Sapara Monastery. Atabeg of Samtskhe Reign 1285–1308 Predecessor Sargis I Jaqeli Successor Sargis II Jaqeli Born c. 1242 Died 1308 Spouse Vakhakhi Issue Sargis II Qvarqvare Shalva Natela Jiajak House Jaqeli Father Sargis I Jaqeli Religion Georgian Orthodox Church

**Beka I Jaqeli** ([Georgian](/source/Georgian_language): ბექა I ჯაყელი) (c. 1242 – 1308), of the [House of Jaqeli](/source/House_of_Jaqeli), was a [Georgian](/source/Georgians) prince who ruled over (*[mtavari](/source/Mtavari)*) of [Samtskhe](/source/Samtskhe-Saatabago) from 1285 to 1308.[1]

## Biography

His principality included Samtskhe, [Adjara](/source/Adjara), [Shavsheti](/source/%C5%9Eav%C5%9Fat), [Klarjeti](/source/Klarjeti), Lazia (Chaneti), [Tao](/source/Tao_(historical_region)), [Kola](/source/G%C3%B6le), [Artaani](/source/Ardahan_Province) and most of [Javakheti](/source/Javakheti). His [realm](/source/Samtskhe-Saatabago) stretched from Tashiskari (modern [Khashuri District](/source/Khashuri_District)) to Karnu-kalaki (now [Erzurum](/source/Erzurum)) and the [Black Sea](/source/Black_Sea). During his reign, Samtskhe-Saatabago existed as a politically independent entity from the [Georgian Kingdom](/source/Kingdom_of_Georgia).

Beka was a vassal of the [Ilkhanate](/source/Ilkhanate), paid regular tributes and participated in their campaigns.[2] Paintings of the House of Jaqeli during the period show them wearing the *[caftan](/source/Caftan)* with *[tiraz](/source/Tiraz)* bands on the sleeves inscribed with [Kufic](/source/Kufic) letters.[3] Their caftan is decorated with the [cloud collars](/source/Cloud_collar) made of pearl embroidery, a design of Mongol Ilkhanate origin.[4] This is also the costume worn at the time by the courtiers at the Mongol court in [Tabriz](/source/Tabriz).[5]

Despite being independent, Samtskhe still maintained some kind of relations with Georgia and Beka himself was given a title of Mandaturukhutsesi (the elder - *first in rank* - [Mandator](/source/Mandator)) by Georgian king.[6]

At the time of Beka's rule, the Turks became more active the Southwest borders, from the [Sultanate of Rum](/source/Sultanate_of_Rum). After a series of invasions, he managed to fend off the attacks.

Beka was a supporter of maintaining Georgian political influence over the [Empire of Trebizond](/source/Empire_of_Trebizond). For this cause, he married off his daughter [Jiajak](/source/Jiajak_Jaqeli) to the Trapezuntine Emperor [Alexios II](/source/Alexios_II_of_Trebizond). Another daughter of Beka, - Natela, became the consort of [Demetrius II of Georgia](/source/Demetrius_II_of_Georgia) and bore him a son and [the successor](/source/George_V_of_Georgia) to the throne. After the execution of his father Demetrius by Mongols, future king [George V](/source/George_V_of_Georgia) was raised by his grandfather at his court.

## Family

Beka I Jaqeli was married to Vakhakhi. The children of Beka were:[1]

- [Sargis II](/source/Sargis_II_Jaqeli), Atabeg of Samtskhe from 1308 to 1334.

- Qvarqvare.

- Shalva.

- Natela, who married [Demetrius II of Georgia](/source/Demetrius_II_of_Georgia), and was the mother of [George V of Georgia](/source/George_V_of_Georgia).

- [Jiajak](/source/Jiajak_Jaqeli), who married [Alexios II of Trebizond](/source/Alexios_II_of_Trebizond).

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEToumanoff1976205_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEToumanoff1976205_1-1) [Toumanoff 1976](#CITEREFToumanoff1976), p. 205.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GSE_2-0)** [Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia](/source/Georgian_Soviet_Encyclopedia), Volume 2, page 345-346, Tbilisi, 1977

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Eastmond, Antony (1 January 2021). [*Monumental Painting and the Role of Images in Armenia under the Mongols*](https://www.academia.edu/98438550/Monumental_Painting_and_the_Role_of_Images_in_Armenia_under_the_Mongols). Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 46.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location_missing_publisher))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Вулета), Tatjana Vuleta (Татјана (1 January 2014). ["The Cloud Collars from Lesnovo"](https://www.academia.edu/107641992/The_Cloud_Collars_from_Lesnovo?email_work_card=view-paper). *Patrimonium.MK 12*: 181 and Fig.23. the cloud collars decorated with pearl embroidery on the portraits of the Georgian princely family Djakeli from St. Saba in Sapara Monastery, 1285–1306. (fig.23), of Ilkhanate origin.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Eastmond, Antony (1 January 2021). [*Monumental Painting and the Role of Images in Armenia under the Mongols*](https://www.academia.edu/98438550/Monumental_Painting_and_the_Role_of_Images_in_Armenia_under_the_Mongols). New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 51, Note 12. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1588397379](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1588397379). Many of the courtiers in the [Great Mongol Shahnamah](/source/Great_Mongol_Shahnameh), made in [Tabriz](/source/Tabriz) in the 1330s, wear similar dress. Melville 2002, figs 45, 51

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia](/source/Georgian_Soviet_Encyclopedia), Volume 2, page 345-346, Tbilisi, 1977

## Bibliography

- [Toumanoff, Cyril](/source/Cyril_Toumanoff) (1976). *Manuel de Généalogie et de Chronologie pour l'histoire de la Caucasie chrétienne (Arménie, Géorgie, Albanie)* [*Manual of Genealogy and Chronology of Christian Caucasian History (Armenia, Georgia, Albania)*] (in French). Rome: Edizioni Aquila.

Beka I Jaqeli Jaqeli Preceded by Sargis I Prince of Meskheti 1285-1308 Succeeded by Sargis II

v t e Atabegs of Samtskhe Sargis I Beka I Sargis II Qvarqvare I Beka II Shalva Aghbugha I Ivane II Aghbugha II Qvarqvare II Kaikhosro I Mzetchabuki Manuchar I Qvarqvare III Kaikhosro II Qvarqvare IV Manuchar II Manuchar III Category

Authority control databases VIAF GND

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