Doctor of History
Assistant Professor / Assistant Researcher
Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) – G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental Studies
Tbilisi, Georgia
ORCID: 0000-0002-3076-965X
n.khoperia@gipa.ge

Kipchak Warrior of the Reign of David the Builder

King David IV the Builder’s strategic alliance with the Kipchak nomads represents a pivotal turning point in Georgian military and political history. The integration of Kipchak forces into the Georgian army was a calculated response to the persistent threat posed by the Seljuk Turks. For centuries, the Pontic-Caspian steppes were inhabited by various nomadic tribes, constantly on the move, waging war among themselves, or raiding neighboring states. The Caucasus mountain passes served as a natural barrier against nomadic incursions, yet continuous control over the western routes into Georgia and the Darial and Derbent passes remained essential. This control was often exercised not only by local rulers but also by the sovereigns of major empires such as Byzantium, the Sasanian Empire, or the Abbasid Caliphate.

Georgian kings frequently had to navigate complex relations with nomadic peoples, including Alans, Huns, Khazars, and Kipchaks. At times they repelled invasions from these groups; at others, they relied on them as allies or mercenary forces. During the 11th–12th centuries, Kipchak and Pecheneg hordes dominated the Pontic-Caspian steppes, launching raids against the Kievan Rus’ principalities and the Byzantine Empire. With the consolidation of Kiev, the Kipchaks increasingly suffered defeats and were forced to migrate southeast. David IV skillfully exploited this geopolitical situation by offering them settlement across the Caucasus and incorporating them into the Georgian army.

The inclusion of the Kipchaks provided the Georgian military with significant strategic advantages: rapid mobility, proficiency in mounted archery using composite bows, a combination of light and heavily armed cavalry, high maneuverability, and the capability for surprise raids deep into enemy territory. The Atraka horde played a crucial role in David the Builder’s campaigns against the Seljuk Turks, serving not only as a force multiplier but also as a loyal foreign guard. This paper examines the military organization, armament, and combat tactics of the Kipchaks during David IV’s reign and evaluates the tactical benefits they conferred upon the Georgian army.

 

Keywords: David the Builder, Kipchaks, Seljuks, Nomads