04 April 2003, 13:30
Alexander the First Georgievich
Czar of Kakheti since 1492. Needing allies in the struggle against Turkish and Iranian incursions menacing Kakheti, Alexander the First Georgievich reinstated the ties of Georgian lands with the Russian State by sending an embassy to Ivan the Third in 1491-92. These ties had anciently existed but were broken up by the Mongol Conquest. Became a vassal of Iranian shah Ismail the First in early 16th century. Killed in 1511 as a result of court intrigues caused by the struggle between Turkey and Iran for Georgia.