Ethno-political Situation on the Coast of Central Abkhazia at the Time of Greek Colonization (VII-V Centuries BC)

Abstract

Sokhumi Bay is located in the central part of the coast of Abkhazia. In ancient times there was the ancient city of Dioscuria. It probably originated in the 6th-5th centuries BC. But before that, complex ethno-political processes took place here. Recently there have been invasions by Scythians and Cimmerians. The situation was unstable. In the south, the kingdom of Colchis was strengthened. Soon the kings of Colchis subjugated this territory as well. At the same time, the process of the Great Greek Colonization was taking place. But this process has already come to an end. Both of these processes coincided in time. We can assume the consistency of actions between the kings of Colchis and the Greeks. The Greeks wanted to establish a trading colony here. They needed the stable power of the kings of Colchis in this region. The kings of Colchis also benefited from the trading colony of the Greeks here. We can assume the consistency of actions between them.