Doctor of History
Associate Professor
Sokhumi State University
Tbilisi, Georgia
kaxaberp@gmail.com

On the Term “Suano-Colchians”

Unlike Claudius Ptolemy, who differs from Pliny and Arrian, only the Laz and the Suano-Colchians are mentioned along the coast of Colchis. How should one explain the disappearance of the Apsilae, Abasgi, and Sanigae from Ptolemy’s map? According to a recently discovered Greek inscription on a silver cup found in the Gagra region, by the mid-2nd century King Pacorus of the Laz had subdued the union of the Sanigae. This, naturally, implies that he had earlier incorporated the smaller unions of the Apsilae and the Abasgi into his kingdom. This explains why Ptolemy no longer mentions the Apsilae, Abasgi, and Sanigae. He reflects the new reality with precision, identifying only one political entity in the entire eastern Black Sea region up to Sarmatia — Colchis.

As for the Suano-Colchians, who replaced Arrian’s Sanigae, this term carries ethno-political significance and should be understood as referring to Svans living within the territory of the Colchian (Lazican) kingdom.

 

Keywords: Ptolemy, Suano-Colchians, Northwestern Colchis, Sanigae