The Kingdom of Lazica (Georgian: ეგრისი, Egrisi; Laz: ლაზიკა, Laziǩa; Ancient Greek: Λαζική, Lazikḗ), sometimes called Lazian Empire,[2] was a state in the territory of west Georgia in the Roman period, from about the 1st century BC.

Throughout much of its existence, it was mainly a Byzantine strategic vassal kingdom that briefly came under Sasanian Persian rule during the Lazic War.

[11] The list of cities mentioned in Byzantine sources were: The most significant fertile and rich area of Lazica was the Rioni river valley.

[13] The architecture of the fortresses of Lazica, located at the key points of the main trade and military routes from the shores of the Black Sea to Iran, show the influence of Byzantine architecture[11] Maritime trade played a significant role in the country's economy, the center of which was the port of Phasis.

[15] It is believed that the destruction of free trade and the introduction of a monopoly by the Romans in Lazica was one of the reasons for the Lazic war.