Frontiers of the Roman Empire: The Roman Frontier in Georgia

Radosław Karasiewicz-Szczypiorski is Head of the PCMA Research Centre in Georgia (Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw). For 10 years he has been the co-director of the Gonio-Apsaros Polish-Georgian Expedition. Previously, he was investigating the Roman military presence in the Crimea (Ukraine) for many years.Shota Mamuladze (1952–2024) was born on May 9, 1952, in village of Nenia, Shuakhevi Municipality. In 1975 he graduated from Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Faculty of History and Philology. In 1978–1981 he attended the Institute of History, Georgian National Academy of Sciences for a post-graduate studentship in archaeology. In 1992 he defended a candidate thesis, and in 2002 – his doctoral dissertation. Since 1975 to his death he worked at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, at almost all positions, as laboratory assistant to Professor Emeritus. He was a lecturer in archaeology and history of Georgia. At various times, he was the head of the Faculty of History, Department of History, Archaeology and Ethnology, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Head of the MA and PhD programmes in archaeology. Under his direct supervision, 15 students prepared their MA theses, and 9 students defended their PhD dissertations.Furthermore, he was the Director of the Gonio-Apsaros Archaeological and Architectural Museum and Reserve since 1994, to whose creation he had contributed. Afterwards, he was the Head of the Archaeological and Architectural Complex, part of Ajara Cultural Heritage Agency, established on the basis of mentioned Museum and Reserve. Carrying out of many archaeological expeditions in Ajara is associated with him. He was the Head of the archaeological expeditions in Adjaristskali gorge since 1978, and Head of the permanent Gonio-Apsaros archaeological expedition since 2005. He also was the co-director of Georgian-German, Georgian-Italian, Georgian-Polish international joint expeditions. At various times, Shota Mamuladze was involved up to ten grant projects, including as a leader investigator. He has published around 200 scientific works, including 15 monographs in Georgia and abroad: England, France, Germany, USA, Poland, Belgium, Holland, Romania, Hungary, etc. He was awarded the state premiums of Tbel Abuserisdze and Ivane Javakhishvili for his successful scientific and pedagogical activity. He made a great contribution for the nomination of Batumi as a host city of XXVI Limes Congress, also was a member of its Scientific Committee and co-author of this book.Professor David J. Breeze has published several books on Roman frontiers and the Roman army. He is a former chairman of the International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies.

• Foreword by Zaur Akhvlediani and Alojzy Z. NowakFRONTIERS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRECommon cultural heritage of the Roman EmpireThe Roman EmpireFrontiers and tradeThe ‘Frontiers of the Roman Empire’ World Heritage SiteThe definition of a World Heritage SiteThe task aheadHistory and extent of frontiersRome’s foreign policyThe location of frontiersThe army and frontiersThe purpose of frontiersSoldiers and civiliansMilitary administrationResearch on Roman frontiersInscriptions and documentsSurvey and excavationAerial survey and remote sensingProtection and presentation of frontiersFuture perspectivesTHE ROMAN FRONTIER IN GEORGIAIntroductionLocation and natural conditionsTravellers and the first archaeologistsHistorical backgroundThe Roman garrison of GeorgiaLife on the LimesThe native tribesThe Boranoi, hoards of Roman coins and the golden treasure from GonioThe first Christians on the Roman borderland in ColchisWhere to see the military remains / Preservation of historical monuments and tourismCultural heritage in dangerFurther readingIllustration acknowledgements