David VIII

Succeeding his cousin Vakhtang II, David's rule actually extended only over the eastern part of the kingdom, whereas western Georgia had been under the Imeretian branch of the House of Bagrationi since 1259.

Although backed by the Mongol forces, the power of George did not extend out of the Georgian capital Tbilisi, and the Khan replaced him by another brother, Vakhtang III, in 1302.

The new king led a Mongol army against David, but could not penetrate deeply into the largely mountainous provinces held by the rebels, and a truce was negotiated.

He developed friendly relations with the Egyptian Mamluks, the traditional rivals of the Ilkhanate, and, mediated by Byzantium, achieved the restoration of the Monastery of the Cross in Jerusalem to the Georgian Orthodox Church in 1305.

David VIII married in 1292 the Mongolian princess Oljath, daughter of Abaqa Khan and widow of King Vakhtang II, their sons were: And then to a daughter of the Georgian nobleman Hamada Surameli, by whom he had a son: Two types of coins issued in David's name survive, silver and copper coins, stuck in 1297 and 1310, respectively.

Khutlubuga was atabeg of David VIII at the beginning of his reign. Church of the Holy Sign. Haghpat Monastery , southern wall. Late 13th century. [ 1 ]