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The term 'Colchis' functioned as an endonym (an internal name) for the Georgian polity of Egrisi during classical antiquity.
Answer: False
The source material clarifies that 'Colchis' was an exonym (an external name) for the Georgian polity known as Egrisi, not an endonym.
The historical region of Colchis was entirely contained within the borders of present-day western Georgia.
Answer: False
While centered in western Georgia, the territory of Colchis also extended into modern Russia's Sochi and Tuapse districts, and present-day Turkey's Artvin, Rize, and Trabzon provinces.
Colchis was also known by the names Kolkha, Qulḫa, and Kilkhi, and was referred to in Old Georgian as Egrisi.
Answer: True
The region of Colchis is identified by several toponyms in various sources, including Kolkha, Qulḫa, Kilkhi, and the Old Georgian name Egrisi.
The name 'Colchis' is believed to have originated from the Greek word for 'gold'.
Answer: False
The name 'Colchis' is thought to have derived from the Urartian word Qulḫa, not from Greek.
The river Phasis was considered by some ancient writers to be the northern boundary of Colchis.
Answer: False
The Phasis (now Rioni) was the main river of Colchis. While some writers considered it a southern boundary, it more likely flowed through the middle of the country.
The region of Colchis is characterized by an arid climate with sparse vegetation.
Answer: False
Colchis has a mild, humid climate with high annual rainfall, and its dominant natural landscapes are temperate rainforests and wetlands.
Colchis is known for a high proportion of Neogene and Palaeogene relict plants and animals, including several endemic species.
Answer: True
The region of Colchis is biologically notable for its high proportion of relict flora and fauna from the Neogene and Palaeogene periods, as well as numerous endemic species.
Which of the following statements most accurately describes the polity of Colchis in classical antiquity?
Answer: An exonym for the Georgian polity known as Egrisi
According to the source material, 'Colchis' was the exonym (external name) used in Greco-Roman geography for the Georgian polity known internally as Egrisi.
Besides Georgia, which modern-day country includes significant territory that was part of historical Colchis?
Answer: Turkey
The historical territory of Colchis encompassed not only western Georgia but also parts of modern Russia and the Artvin, Rize, and Trabzon provinces of present-day Turkey.
What was the Old Georgian name for the region known to Greco-Roman geographers as Colchis?
Answer: Egrisi
The Old Georgian name for the polity known externally as Colchis was Egrisi.
From which ancient language is the name 'Colchis' thought to have been derived?
Answer: Urartian
The name 'Colchis' is believed to have been derived from the Urartian word Qulḫa.
Which river was considered the main waterway flowing through the land of Colchis?
Answer: The Phasis (Rioni)
The main river in Colchis was the Phasis, which is now known as the Rioni River.
What is a notable characteristic of the climate in the region of Colchis?
Answer: Mild humid climate with high rainfall
Colchis is characterized by a mild, humid climate with significant annual rainfall, which is among the highest in continental western Eurasia.
What unique biological feature is characteristic of the Colchis region?
Answer: A high proportion of Neogene and Palaeogene relict plants and animals
The region of Colchis is biologically notable for having a high proportion of relict plants and animals from the Neogene and Palaeogene periods, as well as many endemic species.
In Greek mythology, Colchis is primarily known as the birthplace of Zeus and the location of the Minotaur's labyrinth.
Answer: False
In Greek mythology, Colchis is renowned as the destination of the Argonauts, the home of Medea, and the location of the Golden Fleece.
The ancient Colchian town of Kutaisi, also known as Cyta or Cutatisium, was traditionally considered the birthplace of Medea.
Answer: True
Among the chief towns of Colchis was Cyta or Cutatisium (modern Kutaisi), which was traditionally identified as the birthplace of the mythological figure Medea.
In Greek mythology, Colchis is associated with the fire-breathing Colchis bulls and is considered a possible homeland for the Amazons.
Answer: True
Mythological accounts link Colchis to the fire-breathing bulls that Jason had to tame, and it is also suggested as a potential homeland for the Amazons, a nation of female warriors.
For what is Colchis primarily known in Greek mythology?
Answer: The destination of the Argonauts and location of the Golden Fleece
In Greek mythology, Colchis is famous as the destination of the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece and as the home of Medea.
According to Greek mythology, what punishment was inflicted upon the Titan Prometheus in the mountains of Colchis?
Answer: He was chained to a mountain, where an eagle would perpetually eat his liver
Greek mythology holds that Colchis was the land where Prometheus was punished for giving fire to humanity by being chained to a mountain, where an eagle would eat his liver each day.
Who was Aeëtes in Greek mythology?
Answer: The mythical King of Colchis and father of Medea
Aeëtes was the mythical King of Colchis, son of the sun-god Helios, and the father of Medea, Chalciope, and Absyrtus.
Which mythical figure from the Argonaut saga was NOT native to Colchis?
Answer: Jason
While Aeëtes (King of Colchis), Medea (his daughter), and Absyrtus (his son) were all from Colchis, Jason was the Greek hero who traveled there to retrieve the Golden Fleece.
The first historical mention of Colchis dates to the reign of the Assyrian king Tukulti-Ninurta I in the 13th century BCE.
Answer: True
The earliest mention of Colchis is attributed to the reign of the Middle Assyrian Empire's king Tukulti-Ninurta I (1245–1209 BCE), who referenced '40 kings by the Upper [Black] Sea'.
Sarduri II of Urartu inscribed his defeat by the polity of Qulḫa on a stele in the mid-eighth century BCE.
Answer: False
The stele of Sarduri II, King of Urartu, records his victory over Qulḫa, not his defeat by it.
Scholars universally agree on the exact location of Urartian Qulḫa, placing it definitively west of Georgia.
Answer: False
The exact location of Urartian Qulḫa is disputed among scholars, with some arguing for a location west of Georgia and others suggesting it was south, near modern Göle, Turkey.
The Colchian culture, which emerged during the Middle Bronze Age, was unrelated to the neighboring Koban culture.
Answer: False
The well-developed Bronze Age Colchian culture was related to the neighboring Koban culture.
The Colchian Late Bronze Age was characterized by significant advancements in metal smelting and casting.
Answer: True
The Late Bronze Age in Colchis (15th to 8th century BCE) saw significant skill development in the smelting and casting of metals, alongside the creation of sophisticated farming implements.
Scholar Askold Ivanchik concluded that the state of Qulḫa flourished throughout the entire eighth century BCE.
Answer: False
Askold Ivanchik concluded that Qulḫa existed as a flourishing state during the second half of the eighth century BCE but likely did not survive beyond the end of that century.
According to historian Donald Rayfield, which ruler's reign includes the first historical mention of Colchis?
Answer: Tukulti-Ninurta I of the Middle Assyrian Empire
Donald Rayfield attributes the first mention of Colchis to the reign of the Assyrian king Tukulti-Ninurta I (1245–1209 BCE).
What historical event involving Sarduri II of Urartu is associated with the polity of Qulḫa?
Answer: His inscription of victory over Qulḫa on a stele
In the mid-eighth century BCE, Sarduri II, the King of Urartu, commemorated his victory over the polity of Qulḫa by inscribing the event on a stele.
Which well-developed Bronze Age culture was prominent in the eastern Black Sea region, including Colchis?
Answer: The Colchian culture
The eastern Black Sea region in antiquity was home to the well-developed Bronze Age culture known as the Colchian culture, which was related to the neighboring Koban culture.
What technological advancement characterized the Late Bronze Age in Colchis?
Answer: Skill development in smelting and casting metals
The Colchian Late Bronze Age (15th to 8th century BCE) was marked by significant skill development in the smelting and casting of metals.
What did scholar Askold Ivanchik conclude about the state of Qulḫa based on cuneiform texts and archaeological data?
Answer: It was a flourishing independent state in the second half of the eighth century BCE
Askold Ivanchik concluded that Qulḫa existed as an independent and flourishing state during the second half of the eighth century BCE.
The Colchians are considered an early Kartvelian-speaking tribe, ancestral to modern western Georgians such as the Svans and Zans.
Answer: True
The Colchians are generally identified as an early Kartvelian-speaking tribe and are considered ancestral to contemporary western Georgians, including the Svans and Zans.
Modern scholarship characterizes Colchis as 'the earliest Georgian formation,' which contributed significantly to the development of the unified Kingdom of Georgia.
Answer: True
Modern scholarship views Colchis, along with the Kingdom of Iberia, as a foundational element that contributed to the development of the medieval Kingdom of Georgia and the Georgian nation.
Ancient sources indicate that only a few distinct languages were spoken in the city of Dioscourias, reflecting a homogenous population.
Answer: False
According to Greek and Roman sources, Dioscourias was linguistically diverse, with reports of between 70 and 300 languages being spoken there.
Historian Ronald Grigor Suny asserts that Colchis was an early Georgian state formation, crucial to the ethnogenesis of the Georgian people.
Answer: True
Ronald Grigor Suny identifies Colchis as an early Georgian state formation that, along with Iberia, played a significant role in the ethnogenesis of the Georgian people.
Donald Rayfield's analysis of Colchian burials indicates a clear dominance of Kartvelian names among the anthronyms found.
Answer: False
Donald Rayfield noted that Kartvelian names are 'conspicuously absent' from the few anthronyms found in Colchian burials, which instead feature Greek, Anatolian, Iranian, and possibly Abkhaz names.
Historian Cyril Toumanoff considered Colchis to be the first Caucasian state to achieve coalescence and identified it as a West Georgian kingdom.
Answer: True
Cyril Toumanoff regarded Colchis as the first Caucasian state to achieve coalescence and viewed it as a Georgian (specifically West Georgian) kingdom, marking the beginning of Georgian social history.
Herodotus's claim that the Colchians were 'dark-skinned and woolly-haired' Egyptians is a view widely accepted by modern historians.
Answer: False
The claims made by Herodotus regarding the Egyptian origins and physical appearance of the Colchians are widely rejected by modern historians.
Pliny the Elder recorded a tradition that the king of Colchis defeated the Egyptian king Sesostris, indicating Colchis was a powerful polity in early times.
Answer: True
Pliny the Elder mentioned a tradition of the Colchian king defeating Sesostris of Egypt in Scythia, which he cited as an indication of Colchis's power in its earliest ages.
According to historian David Marshall Lang, when were the Colchians likely established in the Caucasus region?
Answer: By the Middle Bronze Age
David Marshall Lang stated that the Colchians were likely established in the Caucasus by the Middle Bronze Age.
According to Greek and Roman sources, what was the reported linguistic diversity in the Colchian city of Dioscourias?
Answer: Between 70 and 300 languages
Ancient Greek and Roman sources reported a remarkable linguistic diversity in Dioscourias, with claims of between 70 and 300 languages being spoken in that city alone.
According to historian Ronald Grigor Suny, what was the role of Colchis in the formation of the Georgian nation?
Answer: It was an early Georgian state formation crucial to the ethnogenesis of the Georgian people
Ronald Grigor Suny identifies Colchis as an early Georgian state formation that played a crucial role, alongside Iberia, in the ethnogenesis of the Georgian people.
What did historian Donald Rayfield observe about the presence of Kartvelian names in Colchian burials?
Answer: They were conspicuously absent
Donald Rayfield noted that based on the few anthronyms found in Colchian burials, Kartvelian names are 'conspicuously absent,' while Greek, Anatolian, and Iranian names are present.
Which scholar considered Colchis to be the first Caucasian state to achieve coalescence and identified it as a West Georgian kingdom?
Answer: Cyril Toumanoff
Cyril Toumanoff regarded Colchis as the first Caucasian state to achieve coalescence and identified it as a West Georgian kingdom, marking the beginning of Georgian social history.
Which of the following tribes was NOT listed by ancient sources as inhabiting Colchis along the Black Sea shore?
Answer: Sarmatians
While the Machelones, Heniochi, and Lazi were listed as tribes inhabiting Colchis, the Sarmatians were located beyond the Greater Caucasus, to the north of Colchis.
What controversial claim did the ancient historian Herodotus make about the origins of the Colchians?
Answer: They were 'dark-skinned and woolly-haired' Egyptians
Herodotus controversially claimed that the Colchians were 'dark-skinned and woolly-haired' and were descended from the army of the Egyptian Pharaoh Sesostris, a view rejected by modern historians.
According to Pliny the Elder, what tradition indicated that Colchis was a very powerful polity in its earliest ages?
Answer: Their defeat of the Egyptian king Sesostris in Scythia
Pliny the Elder mentioned a tradition that the king of Colchis had defeated the Egyptian king Sesostris in Scythia, which he cited as evidence of Colchis's great power in early times.
After 400 BCE, the people of Colchis successfully overthrew Achaemenid authority and established an independent state.
Answer: True
The historical record suggests that after 400 BCE, the people of Colchis overthrew Achaemenid authority and formed an independent state, which may have been federated with the eastern Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Iberia.
Mithridates VI of Pontus appointed his son Machares as the ruler of Colchis in 83 BCE.
Answer: False
In 83 BCE, Mithridates VI of Pontus appointed his son, also named Mithridates, as ruler of Colchis. His other son, Machares, was later made king of Bosporus and Colchis.
Following the defeat of Mithridates VI, the Roman general Pompey installed Pharnaces II as the new dynast in Colchis.
Answer: False
After defeating Mithridates VI, Pompey installed Aristarchus as a dynast in Colchis (63–47 BCE). Pharnaces II, Mithridates's son, briefly regained control later but was defeated by Caesar's forces.
Colchis was incorporated into the Roman Province of Galatia in 63 CE after the abdication of its ruler, Polemon II.
Answer: True
After Polemon II was induced by Emperor Nero to abdicate, both Pontus and Colchis were incorporated into the Roman Province of Galatia in 63 CE.
Roman rule in Colchis was characterized by strict and absolute control over all mountain tribes in the region.
Answer: False
Roman rule in Colchis was relatively loose, as fierce mountain tribes like the Svaneti and Heniochi maintained significant independence and frequently raided Roman-controlled areas.
Christianity began to spread in Colchis in the early first century CE, but local paganism and Mithraic Mysteries remained widespread until the fourth century.
Answer: True
While Christian tradition dates its arrival to the first century CE, other religious practices, including Hellenistic traditions, local paganism, and Mithraic Mysteries, remained prevalent in Colchis until the fourth century.
In 253 CE, Goths successfully conquered Colchis and established permanent settlements in the region.
Answer: False
In 253 CE, Goths from Crimea raided Colchis but were repelled with the help of the Roman garrison stationed at Pitsunda; they did not establish settlements.
What was a key role of Colchis within the Achaemenid Empire's economy?
Answer: It provided slaves as tribute
Colchis was integrated into the Achaemenid Empire, with northern tribes providing a tribute of 100 girls and 100 boys every five years.
What occurred regarding Achaemenid authority in Colchis after 400 BCE?
Answer: The people of Colchis overthrew it and formed an independent state
After 400 BCE, the people of Colchis appear to have successfully overthrown Achaemenid authority and established an independent state.
Whom did Mithridates VI of Pontus appoint as ruler of Colchis in 83 BCE after quelling an uprising?
Answer: His son Mithridates
After quelling an uprising in Colchis in 83 BCE, Mithridates VI of Pontus appointed his son, also named Mithridates, as its ruler.
After the defeat of Mithridates VI in 65 BCE, whom did the Roman general Pompey install as a dynast in Colchis?
Answer: Aristarchus
Following his victory over Mithridates VI, Pompey installed Aristarchus as a dynast to rule Colchis from 63 to 47 BCE.
In what year was Colchis incorporated into the Roman Province of Galatia?
Answer: 63 CE
After its last client king, Polemon II, was induced by Emperor Nero to abdicate, Colchis was incorporated into the Roman Province of Galatia in 63 CE.
What was the nature of Roman governance in the more remote regions of Colchis?
Answer: Relatively loose, with fierce mountain tribes maintaining independence
Roman rule in Colchis was relatively loose, particularly in the interior, where fierce mountain tribes like the Svaneti and Heniochi maintained significant independence and paid only nominal homage to Rome.
Which religious practices remained widespread in Colchis until the fourth century CE, despite the early spread of Christianity?
Answer: Hellenistic civilization, local paganism, and Mithraic Mysteries
Despite the introduction of Christianity in the first century CE, Hellenistic traditions, local paganism, and the Mithraic Mysteries remained widespread in Colchis until the fourth century.
What was the outcome of the Gothic raid on Colchis in 253 CE?
Answer: The Goths raided Colchis but were repelled
In 253 CE, Goths from Crimea raided Colchis but were ultimately repelled with the assistance of the Roman garrison stationed at Pitsunda.
When was the Lazica (or Laz) kingdom established in the region of Colchis?
Answer: By the first century BCE
The Lazica kingdom was established in the region of Colchis by the first century BCE and became a vassal of the Roman Empire in 66 BCE.
Which of the following pairs of rulers governed Colchis under the authority of the Kingdom of Pontus?
Answer: Mithridates and Machares
Mithridates (son of Mithridates VI) and Machares were both appointed as rulers of Colchis under the authority of the Kingdom of Pontus.
Wheat was the primary staple crop in ancient Colchis, with millet being of lesser significance.
Answer: False
Millet was the primary staple crop in Colchis, although wheat was also grown and imported.
Colchis provided slaves as tribute to the Achaemenid Empire and also supplied enslaved people to Ancient Greece.
Answer: True
The historical record shows that Colchis provided slaves as tribute to the Achaemenid Empire and that Colchian slaves were also documented in Ancient Greece.
Early 'Colchian' coins were initially thought to prove the existence of an independent Colchian state, but this view has since been reassessed by scholars.
Answer: True
While once considered primary evidence for an independent Colchian state, a reassessment has revealed that these early coins likely represent the production of an Achaemenid satrapy.
Akes, also known as Basileus Aku, was a ruler of Colchis in the 2nd century BCE, known from a coin he issued.
Answer: False
Akes (Basileus Aku) was a ruler of Colchis at the end of the 4th century BCE, not the 2nd century BCE.
What was the primary staple crop cultivated in ancient Colchis?
Answer: Millet
Millet served as the primary staple crop in the agriculture of ancient Colchis.
What is the modern scholarly understanding of the earliest 'Colchian' coins?
Answer: They represented the production of an Achaemenid satrapy
While initially thought to be evidence of an independent Colchian state, a scholarly reassessment has concluded that these early coins actually represent the production of an Achaemenid satrapy.
Who was Akes, also known as Basileus Aku?
Answer: A ruler of Colchis at the end of the 4th century BCE
Akes (Basileus Aku) was a historical ruler of Colchis at the end of the 4th century BCE, known from a coin he issued.