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What was Colchis, and where was it?

The first Georgian state and land of the Golden Fleece.

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Short answer

Colchis was an ancient kingdom on the Black Sea shore, in what is now western Georgia, and is considered the first Georgian state. The kingdom existed from the 6th to the 1st century BCE. It is tied to the myth of the Argonauts, who sailed under Jason to Colchis for the Golden Fleece.

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Why

  1. Greek and Roman authors described the land as bursting with gold.
  2. Excavations at Vani support a highly developed culture, with 4th-century BCE helmets and 5th–4th-century BCE gold bracelets.
  3. The myth of the Argonauts and the Golden Fleece tied Colchis to Greek tradition.

Details

A turtle-shaped gold necklace from the mid-5th century BCE, held at the National Museum of Georgia, points to local goldsmithing. In the myth, the Argonauts took the Golden Fleece and also Medea, the daughter of Colchis's legendary king. The myth is a legend, while the excavated objects are evidence that the country existed.

To learn about the regions of the country, read regions and cities of Georgia, and for the age of the state see when Georgia emerged.

Tip

Look for traces of Colchian culture at the National Museum of Georgia in Tbilisi, where a mid-5th-century BCE gold necklace is kept.

What may differ

The borders of ancient Colchis are described differently; usually it is placed on the Black Sea shore in the west of present-day Georgia.

Common misconception

Colchis and the Golden Fleece exist only in myths.

What actually happens

Colchis really existed as a kingdom (6th–1st centuries BCE), while the Golden Fleece and Jason's voyage remain a legend.

People also ask

  • Where was Colchis located?
  • What is Colchis in Georgia?

Sources

This answer is for reference. See the official links below.

Regions and cities of Georgia
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