Levan grew up in Kakheti under his grandfather King Alexander II, but at the age of fourteen became prince of Mingrelia when his father Manuchar I fell from a horse and died while hunting.

[3] However, the alliance was shattered when Levan accused Tamunia of adultery, cut off her ears and nose and cast her from Mingrelia.

He then invaded and looted Abkhazia, poisoned his two sons by Tamunia, then abducted and married Darejan Chiladze, the wife of his uncle and former regent, Giorgi I Lipartiani.

While a common practice amongst the Mongols and Seljuks, Levan was the first to in the Caucausus to extensively take hostages for ransom, making raiding a profitable venture.

[4][5] Levan allied with Sultan Murad IV of the Ottoman Empire trading Turkish cavalry for smelted iron, slaves and wool.

He blinded Prince Mamuka of Imereti, who had been planned as the future king to unite Georgia, for resisting his actions.