Kuji (Georgian: ქუჯი, romanized: kuji) (fl. 4th century BC) was a ruler and eristavi of Colchis. During his reign his castle of Nokalakevi was built. Kuji aided Pharnavaz I of Iberia against the tyrannical ruler Azo. Pharnavaz subsequently deposed and killed Azo and Kuji recognized his authority giving him the Colchian throne.
According to The Georgian Chronicles:
You are son of the heads of Kartli, and you should reign over me, and your race should be here, and strength you should have, you are our Lord, and I shall be your servant. შენ ხარ შვილი თავთა მათ ქართლისათა, და შენ გმართებს უფლობა ჩემი აწ ნუ შურობ ხუასტაგსა შენსა, რათა განვამრავლნეთ სპანი; და უკეთუ მოგუეცეს ძლევა, შენ ხარ უფალი ჩუენი და მე ვარ მონა შენი.
Kuji eventually married Pharnavaz's sister. This marriage would produce the progeny of Kartam of Colchis.
References
- Georgian Chronicles, ed 23, ln 7
- Georgian Chronicles, ed 21, ln 10
- Georgian Chronicles, ed 22, ln 22-24
- Georgian Chronicles, ed 24, ln 3
- Georgian Chronicles, ed 32, ln 10-12
Bibliography
- Georgian Chronicles, Life of Kartli, chronicle