Songs: 1. Lazic Pottpouri by the Georgian Medical Students of TSMU - Ensemble - "Deka" (ანსამბლი „დეკა“ - ლაზური სიმღერების პოპური). 2. Lazic Song - Sarpi Moleni (სარფი მოლენი) by ქაზიმ ქოიუნჯუ (Kâzım Koyuncu); 3. Lazic Song - Golas empula yulun by Eléonore Fourniau, Sylvain Barou & Efrén Lopez; Laz people - Ancient Colchians The name "Laz" is first mentioned in the sources in the 1st century BC. by Memnon, who is considered to be a writer of the second half of the 1st century BC, he mentions Laz for the first time. Important information about the Laz is also found in the writings of Gaius Pliny Secundus (23-24 - 79 AD) Claudius Ptolemy (100 - 178 AD) Gelasius of Caesarea (second half of the 4th century AD) and etc. Based on ancient sources, scholars claim that the tribes of this name were called Colchians and Chans in the early period. They say, that the names Colchis and Chan were later changed to "Laz" during the existence of the great Caucasian state - The Kingdom of Lazeti (Lazica). Flavius ​​Arian (c. 95-175 CE) mentions the Colchians to the east of Trapezunt, citing the source of Xenophon. He writes: "The Colchian as Xenophon says, are bordered to the Trapezunt." Colchis is also built by the river "Ophis" (now Sulan-Lu). He says: "The river Ophis separates the Colchis land from the Chanik (Tzanik)" (from Chaneti). It is noteworthy that unlike other ethnic units Arian does not mention the Colchian king, and most importantly above the river Ophis, the Colchians are no longer seen at all in "Periplus". Hence in the time of Flavius ​​Arianus (95–175 AD), The state of Colchis no longer exists and the name Colchians is changes as a name - "Laz" and whole Western Georgia becomes a new independent State: the Kingdom of Lazeti (131–697 AD.). If in the past the name of the Colchians covered the names of various Kartvelian tribes, the name "Laz" has been absorbed by most of them since the 8th century AD. An anonymous writer of the fifth-century BC, writes: "From Dioscuria, also called Sebastopolis, to the waters of the Apsaros, there used to be a people called the Colchians, later called the Laz." According to John Lydes (V - VI centuries) the Laz are the same Colchians. He writes: "Colchians, also called Laz." The same is noted by the Byzantine writer and historian Procopius of Caesarea (VI century AD). He writes: "The name of the Colchians, like that of many other tribes, is now changed to the name of the Laz." The historian Procopius of Caesarea, Agatha Scholasticus (536-582), notes: "The Laz were called Colchians in ancient times, and they are the Colchians. No one doubts that." It is also noteworthy that Agatha Scholasticus asserted that the Laz themselves considered themselves to be descendants of the Colchians, and that they were very proud of it. Agatha writes: "The strong and brave tribes are the Laz and they rule over other strong tribes. They are proud of the old name of the Colchians and are even more arrogant than the size, though not so unreasonably. " Academician N. Berdzenishvili states: "The Laz people know, that their kingdom is a continuation of the kingdom of Colchis. The Laz are the direct descendants and not just the political heirs of the kingdom of Colchis and Colchians. So old Colchis belongs to them. They say that "their kingdom is the most ancient and it is right". Agatha the scholastic uses Colchis in the sense of Laz everywhere in her poetry. Aeetes Laz calls his homeland the country of the Colchians. He addresses his compatriots as follows: "The old dignity of the Colchians has disappeared and from now on we can no longer make others respect our commands. I wished that the state of Colchis had the old strength and would not need foreign and outside help." Agatia calls Laz Partadzi "influential, wise among the Colchians and very humble in his behavior." Partadzi addresses his compatriots as Colchians at the Laz meeting. He begins his speech like this: "A common story has befallen you, Colchis, that the words spoken very conveniently and successfully have shaken your mind." - Then he continues - "You Colchis, you should never connect your thoughts with opinions without it, so, why should we go to the Colchis side of the Persians?!" Undoubtedly, he, as a pious and wise man, rebuked us for such intentions. He called us - to be equipped with the free consciousness of Colchis." There are many such places in the works of Agatha Scholasticus. He uses the word Colchis more often to refer to Laz than to Laz. Colchis is also equated with Lazica by an anonymous 7th century historian. He writes: "Colchis - commonly named as Lazica." George Singelos (beginning of the late IX century) writes: Commenting on the poem "Alexandra" by the Greek writer Lycophron Chalcidian (IV - III centuries BC), John Tsetse (1110 - 1180 BC) tells us: "The Colchians are Indian Scythians. They are also called Laz." Elsewhere he writes: "The Colchians, also called Laz." "The Colchians are a Laz tribe."

• published: 28 Dec 2022
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