Bagrat III of Georgia

Bagrat III
King of Georgia
Bagrat III, fresco from the Bedia Cathedral.
King of Georgia
Reign1008–1014
SuccessorGeorge I
King of Abkhazia
Reign978–1008
PredecessorTheodosius III
SuccessorAnnexed by the Kingdom of Georgia
Eristavi of the Saeristavo of Kartli
Reign975–978
PredecessorIoane Marushisdze
SuccessorGurandukht
Co-rulerGurgen
Bornc. 960
Kutaisi
Died7 May 1014(1014-05-07) (aged 53–54)
Panaskerti, Tao
Burial
SpouseMartha
IssueGeorge I of Georgia
Basil of Khakhuli
DynastyBagrationi
FatherGurgen of Iberia
MotherGurandukht of Abkhazia
ReligionGeorgian Orthodox Church

Bagrat III (Georgian: ბაგრატ III) (c. 960 – 7 May 1014), also known as Bagrat the Unifier, of the Bagrationi dynasty, was the king (mepe) of the Kingdom of Abkhazia from 978 (as Bagrat II of Abkhazia) and king of the Kingdom of Georgia from 1008 until his death in 1014. Through dynastic inheritance, military conquest, and diplomatic efforts, he successfully united these realms, effectively founding the Kingdom of Georgia. Prior to his coronation as king, Bagrat III also ruled in the Saeristavo of Kartli as co-ruler with his father, Gurgen of Iberia, from 976 to 978.