Page "Solomon II of Imereti" Paragraph 3

After Heraclius death in 1798, and the annexation of the eastern Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti by Russia in 1800, the situation in Imereti became precarious.

His refractory vassals, princes of Mingrelia and Guria, assumed the Russian protection and put forward territorial claims to the royal domains.

Solomon attempted to enlist the Ottoman and Persian support against the anticipated Russian encroachment.

However, the Russian commander in Georgia, Prince Pavel Tsitsianov, moved his army into Imereti and forced Solomon to succumb to Russian vassalage in the convention of Elaznauri of April 25, 1804.

Yet, Solomon's relations with Russia continued to be strained.

On February 20, 1810, the Russian administration removed Solomon from the throne and sent in troops to take control of the kingdom.

Solomon retaliated by rallying people against Russia and tried to enlist Turkey, Persia and Napoleonic France in his cause.

Outnumbered and defeated, Solomon fled to the Ottoman possessions in Trebizond where he died in 1815.

The body of Solomon II, the last reigning Georgian king, was moved from Trebizond, Turkey to Gelati Monastery, Georgia, in 1990.