Colchis

Quick Facts: Who was Colchis?

Subject:

Colchis

Known for:

Ancient Greek exonym for the Georgian polity of Egrisi on the Black Sea coast.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

In classical antiquity and Greco-Roman geography, Colchis (; Ancient Greek: Κολχίς) was an exonym for the Georgian polity of Egrisi (Georgian: ეგრისი) located on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, centered in present-day western Georgia also including the region of Abkhazia. Its population, the Colchians, are generally believed to have been primarily early Zan-speaking tribes, ancestral to the modern Laz and Mingrelian peoples.

Career & Major Achievements

According to David Marshall Lang: "one of the most important elements in the modern Georgian nation, the Colchians were probably established in the Caucasus by the Middle Bronze Age." It has been described in modern scholarship as "the earliest Georgian formation", which, along with the Kingdom of Iberia, would later contribute significantly to the development of the Kingdom of Georgia and the Georgian nation. Colchis is known in Greek mythology as the destination of the Argonauts, as well as the home to Medea and the Golden Fleece.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

It was also described as a land rich with gold, iron, timber and honey that would export its resources mostly to ancient Hellenic city-states. Colchis likely had a diverse population.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Colchis

True or False: “True or False: Colchis was solely a region of pagan worship and never interacted with Hellenic city-states.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. While Colchis was known for its paganism, Greek and Roman sources confirm it was a major trading partner, exporting resources to Hellenic city-states.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Corded Ware culture — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A major European Bronze Age culture spanning the Late Neolithic to early Bronze Age.
• Discovery and exploration of the Solar System — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The cumulative human effort to map and understand our cosmic neighborhood.
• Economic history — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The study of economic phenomena through historical methods, analyzing dynamic systems of production and capital.
• El Abra — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Major archeological site in Cundinamarca, Colombia, showing early human settlement evidence.
• Evolution of morality — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The emergence of human moral behavior across the spectrum of human evolution.
• First Intermediate Period of Egypt — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A turbulent era in Ancient Egypt (c. 2181–c. 2055 BC) marked by regional power struggles.

Frequently Asked Questions about Colchis