Draft:Siege of Tbilisi (1038–1040)

The Siege of Tbilisi (1038–1040)

Background
In 1034 Liparit IV, duke of Kldekari and Ivane Abazasdze, Duke of Kartli, in combination with the King Kvirike III of Kakheti and David I of Lori inflicted a defeat on the army of the Shaddadids at the Eklez River. Also in the same year Liparit and Ivane Abazasdze had captured Jafar III, emir of Tbilisi and handed him over to King Bagrat IV and Mariam.

Siege
In 1038, Liparit was on the verge of capturing the ancient Georgian capital of Tbilisi, which had been a Muslim stronghold since the 8th century. Fearing his growing power, the Georgian nobles persuaded Bagrat to withdraw Liparit's army and thus thwarted the plan. As a result, Liparit became a sworn enemy of the king and began actively cooperating with the Byzantines for vengeance on Bagrat and his nobles.