Beka I Jaqeli

His principality included Samtskhe, Adjara, Shavsheti, Klarjeti, Lazia (Chaneti), Tao, Kola, Artaani and most of Javakheti. His realm stretched from Tashiskari (modern Khashuri District) to Karnu-kalaki (now Erzurum) and the Black Sea. During his reign, Samtskhe-Saatabago existed as a politically independent entity from the Georgian Kingdom.

Beka was a vassal of the Ilkhanate, paid regular tributes and participated in their campaigns.^[2] Paintings of the House of Jaqeli during the period show them wearing the caftan with tiraz bands on the sleeves inscribed with Kufic letters.^[3] Their caftan is decorated with the cloud collars made of pearl embroidery, a design of Mongol Ilkhanate origin.^[4] This is also the costume worn at the time by the courtiers at the Mongol court in Tabriz.^[5]

Despite being independent, Samtskhe still maintained some kind of relations with Georgia and Beka himself was given a title of Mandaturukhutsesi (the elder - first in rank - Mandator) by Georgian king.^[6]

At the time of Beka's rule, the Turks became more active the Southwest borders, from the Sultanate of Rum. After a series of invasions, he managed to fend off the attacks.

Beka was a supporter of maintaining Georgian political influence over the Empire of Trebizond. For this cause, he married off his daughter Jiajak to the Trapezuntine Emperor Alexios II. Another daughter of Beka, - Natela, became the consort of Demetrius II of Georgia and bore him a son and the successor to the throne. After the execution of his father Demetrius by Mongols, future king George V was raised by his grandfather at his court.

Beka I Jaqeli was married to Vakhakhi. The children of Beka were:^[1]

• Sargis II, Atabeg of Samtskhe from 1308 to 1334.
• Qvarqvare.
• Shalva.
• Natela, who married Demetrius II of Georgia, and was the mother of George V of Georgia.
• Jiajak, who married Alexios II of Trebizond.