Ph.D in History
Associate Professor
Tamaz Beradze Institute of Georgian Studies, the University of Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia
ORCID: 0009-0009-9543-5608
a.gogoladze@ug.edu.ge
Ph.D in History
Associate Professor
TSU, Institute of World History
ORCID: 0009-0009-9127-2987
tea.tsitlanadze@tsu.ge
The Historical-Geographical Image of the Kingdom of Georgia in the Evolution of the Crusader Legend
This paper aims to examine the stages in the evolution of the famous legend of the king-priest in the Crusader East of the 12th century, focusing on how the messianic figure and the historical-geographical image of his realm evolved over time in the perceptions of medieval society.
John the Presbyter, known to Europeans as a Christian king-priest in the East, whose story spread from the Holy Land to Western Europe before the Second Crusade, was regarded as a savior of the Crusader world. His unknown messianic aspect is a central figure in 12th–13th-century legendary histories that evolved in the context of the Crusades. From the 13th century, this role shifted to his successor, King David, under whose name a new Eastern messiah was recognized in the West.
The presentation emphasizes that the legends of John the Presbyter and King David are not merely historical narratives but instruments for consolidating expectations, influencing diplomatic relations between the Crusader East and Eastern Christian kingdoms. The focus is on the historical-political reality of the Georgian state, particularly the reigns of David IV the Builder and George IV Lasha, and how the Kingdom of Georgia’s significance was reflected in the Crusader imagination.
In addition to textual sources, the study examines visual materials, particularly European maps and portolans of the 13th–15th centuries. These sources are crucial for studying the legend’s origins, foundations, and evolution, revealing how the Christian West perceived the historical-geographical landscape of the East, including the place of the Georgian kingdom.
Keywords: John the Presbyter, messianism, Crusades, Georgia, portolans, maps