Ekvtime Takaishvili

EKVTIME TAKAISHVILI

(A Short Review of the Scientific and Pubic Activities)

21 February 1953… died Ekvtime Takaishvili. Georgian people

heartedly mourned, but his coffin was accompanied by about forty people

and he was buried in Vake Cemetery…Georgia was aware of the greatness

of the person, but because of different reasons, this greatness was not

clearly expressed until later times. After as little as ten years, Ekvtime

Takaishvili’s remains were brought to Didube Pantheon. Later his wife’s

Nino Poltoratskaya’s remains were transferred from France to Didube

Pantheon as well. At present both Ekvtime and Nino Takaishvili are buried

in Mtatsminda Pantheon. Ekvtime Takaishvili came to the scientific life in

late 1880s under difficult conditions of Russian Tsarizm. He found his

place beside the famous representatives of the Georgian historiography,

who carried out fruitful activities for collecting, investigating and

publishing of different sources of the national history. Ekvtime Takaishvili

was the first who brought to the daylight the rich documentary materials of

the Georgian history, Georgian epigraphy, unknown Georgian manuscripts,

monuments of the Georgian material culture and prepared a solid ground

for the future development of the Georgian scholarly work.

Today, from the heights of the XXI century, the biggest name of

Ekvtime Takaishvili appears with special glamour. One philosopher had

said: “history is renaissance and resurrection”. This definition of history is

of course disputable, but it amazingly fits to Ekvtime Takaishvili’s fate.

Ekvtime Takaishvili was born on 5 January 1863. Parents died early

and Ekvtime became an orphan. Three year old Ekvtime happened

misfortune. He fell down from the tree and broke his right leg and since

that time he became lame. At the age of 7 Ekvtime goes to Ozurgeti

regional school, where his teacher Simon Kikodze, brother of the

Archbishop Gabriel, plays an important role in his education. Simon

Kikodze was teaching poetry of Ilia Chavchavadze and Akaki Tsereteli to

his pupils. During his studies in Ozurgeti School, Ekvtime met with Niko

Mari, and later they became close friends.

In 1883 Ekvtime finishes Kutaisi Gymnasium and enrolls in Saint

Petersburg University Department of History and Philology. Learning

diligently, Ekvtime deeply believed that he needed to acquire broad

knowledge in order to serve his country in future. In 1887 Ekvtime

Takaishvili graduated from the University and returned to Georgia.

In 1887-1894 Ekvtime was teaching at Tbilisi Nobility School and at

the Classic Gymnasium, leading the courses of Greek and Latin, and

History and Geography. Ekvtime Takaishvili makes acquaintance with

Dimitri Bakradze, who by that time was working on investigating

antiquities preserved in Georgian churches and monasteries. Ekvtime was

elected as a board member of the Georgian Society of Literacy as early as

the last year at Saint Petersburg University. Coming back to Georgia

Ekvtime gets to work in the Society with all his efforts and inspiration. Due

to his tireless work, important precious books, documents and different

kinds of antiquities were collected.

Ekvtime Takaishvili was an expert of historical resources, also

archeographer, epigraphist, digging archeologist, investigator of the

Georgian literature and folklore, historical geography and legal studies.

Historical and Ethnographic Society, founded by the initiative of

Ekvtime Takaishvili in 1907, plaid an important role in the scientific and

cultural life of Georgia. The Society aimed at the study of the history of

Georgia, traditions of its people and monuments of art. Immediately, after

founding the Society, almost all the Georgian intelligentsia joined it and the

Society initiated broad and fruitful activities in Georgia and abroad.

Among other activities, public meetings were especially important,

where the famous Georgian scholars of the time discussed the results of

their scholarly work with the attending audience. Discussions around the

reports were of much importance as they promoted the right scholarly

outlook. Ekvtime Takaishvili considered that well organized expeditions

were essential for the investigation of the Georgia’s rich past and its

interesting present. The Society organized numerous excursions and

expeditions to study historical monuments, to collect archeological and

ethnographic items and to gather the folklore.

Ekvtime Takaishvili started publishing the following two series

immediately after founding the Society: Ancient Georgia and Antiquities of 

Georgia. The first of them published research works, synopsis and other

historical and ethnographic materials, and the other accommodated

affidavits, historical letters and other documents.

Ekvtime Takaishvili often made reports before the audiences. His

works show big erudition, deep knowledge of subject and the author’s

academic honesty. His scholarly work Materials for the Archeology of

Caucasus consisting of important materials, gained broad attention of

society. The work got highest evaluation of the Archeological Society of

the Russian Emperor and on 28 March 1911 it was awarded with grand medal.

Ekvtime Takaishvili played an important role in founding the

Georgian University. He was elected together with Ivane Javakhishvili in

the Commission of the Society of the Georgian University. The University

was opened on 26 January 1918 (old style). Ekvtime Takaishvili was

teaching the courses of archeology, epigraphy, and history of churches and

monasteries at the University. On 21 May 1918 Ekvtime Takaishvili was

conferred on Doctor’s degree by the Board of Tbilisi University.

Ekvtime Takaishvili continued studying the Georgian antiquities

while teaching at the University. He made trips to various parts of Georgia

and did lots of useful work.

Ekvtime Takaishvili and his contemporaries had a wide understanding

of archeology as a science. They united the following work under the field:

description of temples, clerical books, copying of inscriptions, their

description and interpretation, digging of archeological traces, etc.

Obviously this kind of activity required intensive travel in the regions of

Georgia and despite his physical disability, Ekvtime did not leave a single

region without paying a visit to study historical monuments.

Regulations of Literary Society anticipated collecting of ancient,

deteriorated church books. Ekvtime Takaishvili started his activities from

this point. As a result of his work, Ekvtime publishes “Three Chronicles”

in 1890, which was followed by another edition titled “The Life of the

Saint Nino” representing a logical part of the previous work. The

publication made a big impact on the Georgian society and became a

turning point in the Georgian historiography.

As a result of his systematic research during several decades, Ekvtime

Takaishvili uncovered many of the unknown relics. Among them the old

manuscript copies of “the Knight in the Panter’s Skin” discovered by him,

are of the greatest importance. Ekvtime collected 17 manuscripts and traced

the references of 24 manuscripts in total. .

The oldest copy of “The Knight in the Panter’s Skin” traced by

Ekvtime Takaishvili is dated by 1646. The copy made for the King George

XI in 1680, is also a very important finding. The manuscript is

distinguished for its ornamentation. “Any of the European museums would

pay a million for this copy” – Ekvtime Takaishvili says.

Ekvtime Takaishvili did a lot of work for collecting and preservation

of the remarkable materials of “Akhalgori Treasure”. He traced sellers and

buyers of the treasure until he collected the major part of the treasure and

housed it in the Caucasus Museum.

Ekvtime Takaishvili discovered the manuscript of “Royal Court

Regulations”. Ekvtime found this manuscript in garbage in an abandoned

house while travelling in Kartli. In May 1920 Tbilisi State University

published “Royal Court Regulations” with the preface of Ekvtime

Takaishvili. The document is very important although it is incomplete. It

represents a manual for the king’s men, for the ruler, and for all servants

generally. This is a collection of laws on ruling the country introduced by

different kings. The monument is very important for the study of the

Georgian statehood and its internal organization.

Ekvtime Takaishvili’s trips to South Georgia or so called “Turkish

Georgia” (this southern part of Georgia is within the Turkish boundaries at

present) were very important. The first expedition was organized in 1902,

during which the architectural monuments of Akhalsikhe, Akhalkalaki and

Artaani were explored. The second expedition, which was conducted in

1907, investigated the monuments located in Artaani ( Cola) and finalized

the study of Oltisi monuments. The third expedition was held in 1917.

Ekvtime saw almost all historical monuments of Georgia with his own

eyes to experience their brilliance and magnificence of the talent and power

of the architects who created those glorious monuments of Georgia. Lots

of historical materials were uncovered. Although many of the monuments

had already been archeologically described, Ekvtime made corrections in

old descriptions finding many new details which were of the greatest

importance for the clarification of different issues of our history.

Ekvtime Takaishvili traveled and described Alaverdi, Shuamta,

Bodbe, Telavi, Gremi, Ikalto, Akhmeta, etc. in Kakheti; Sachkhere, Jruchi,

Katskhi, Kutaisi, Gelati, etc. in Imereti; Martvili, Tsaishi, Zugdidi,

Tsalenjikha, Bandza, Abasha, Sujuna, etc. in Samegrelo; Glola, Chiora,

Gebi, Oni, Cesi, Mravaldzali, Skhvava, Bugeuli, Nicortsminda, etc. in

Racha; Labechina, Sairme, Lajana, Orbeli, Lentekhi, Lashkheti, Ushguli,

etc in Lechkhumi and Svaneti.

In 1937 Ekvtime Takaishvili published the book “Archeological

Expedition in Lechkhum-Svaneti in 1910”. Apart from describing the

historical monuments in Lechkhumi and Svaneti, he made an important

conclusion in this edition. The author mainly discussed the historical

monuments of the Christian period in the book and he developed an idea

that the Svans adopted Christianity from Byzantine. After Georgia’s

unification under the throne of Bagrat III in 980s, Svaneti became a part of

the united Georgia. Since then, the Georgian kings paid much attention to Svaneti.

1921 marked a new era in the life of Georgia. Immediately, after

establishing the soviet power, the former Menshevik Government moved to

Batumi to leave for abroad by sea. It was ordered by the Government to

collect all museum property in boxes to take abroad. The foundation

Council appointed Ekvtime Takaishvili as an observer of the treasure. It

was not easy for the scholar to abandon the home country, but the Georgian

national treasure needed a dedicated observer. Ekvtime fully realized that

the monuments of the material and spiritual culture could be lost forever

unless proper supervision. On 11 March 1921, Ekvtime Takaishvili left

Georgia and spent many years in emigration. The Menshevik Government

was considered the formal patron of the treasure.

The treasure had a tremendous value. It included precious items from

Tbilisi Museum including golden, silver and pearl jewelry, precious

manuscripts, paintings from the National Gallery, the treasure from the

Dadiani Palace in Zugdidi, property of Gelati and Martvili monasteries,

treasure from Tbilisi Palace, property of the Russian churches, property of

the treasury, property of Borjomi Palace (with rich libraries), etc.

The Plenipotentiary Minister and Supreme Commissioner of the

Government of France in South Caucasus Abel Chevalier got the Georgian

treasure loaded on the board of the French cruiser “Ernest Renan”.

Moreover, he managed the vessel to depart earlier, which caused Ekvtime

Takaishvili and his wife Nino travelling with him, to be left behind.

Ekvtime rented a boat to catch the cruiser heading to Constantinepol. In

Constantinepol the treasure was transferred to the vessel “Bien Hoa” and on

20 March headed to Marcel. After 48 days on 10 April 1921, they arrived

in Marcel. After delivering the treasure to the Bank of Marcel, Ekvtime

Takaishvili moved to Marcel with his wife and lived there for a while. Then

they moved to Le Vile. Ekvtime Takaishvili continued his scholarly work

in France. His work was recognized and he was elected as a chairman of

Numismatic Society (4 February 1922), and a member of Asia Society

(1925).

The rumor of the Georgian treasure getting in France caused a

widespread interest and a number of potential buyers appeared. The

museums of New York and Great Britain tried to acquire at least a small

part of the treasure. The French historian Mile requested apermission for

taking photos of the items. Ekvtime Takaishvili observing the Georgian

treasure with commitment and dedication refused everyone asking for

anything in relation to the treasure. Seeing a big interest towards the

treasure, Ekvtime was concerned about the future of its fate. He had shared

his concerns with Akaki Shanidze and Giorgi Akhvlediani who arrived in

France in 1928, saying: “Please do anything in order that these relics return

to Georgia. If this does not happen, I will die”

The treasure stayed in France for almost 25 years. Only after the

turning point in the Second World War in 1944 in favor of the Soviet

Union, it became possible to bring the treasure back to Georgia. In

November 1944, Ekvtime Takaishvili met with the Ambassador of the

Soviet Union in France Alexander Bogomolov. Ekvtime informed the

Ambassador with the circumstances related to the treasure and asked for his

assistance. At the same time, Ekvtime passed to him a long report

addressed to General De Gaulle. By that time, De Gaulle was in preparation

to leave for Moscow to meet with Stalin (the visit was held on 2-10

December 1944). De Gaulle had ordered to return the Georgian treasure to

Georgia. Ekvtime Takaishvili says in his memoirs: “The question of the

Georgian treasure was solved in wake of Stalin’s untold victory in the war,

after which the Germans were forced to abandon Paris. This victory

brought a big fame to Stalin in France. The French people prayed on

Stalin’s name saying: “we will dedicate a golden monument to him”. We

mentioned that Stalin was Georgian by origin, but they were suspicious that

the small nation like Georgia could give a birth to such a big person”.

Despite the difficult life, Ekvtime Takaishvili served as a dedicated

patron of the Georgian treasure trusted to him, and the old Ekvtime, in 11

April 1945, returned to Georgia together with the treasure. When stepping

on his native land, 83 year old Ekvtime pronounced Akaki’s words with a

trembling voice:

“With the blue of your sky,

With the emerald of your land,

Be my healer, my home country,

Please cure me with your hand!...”

The old scholar had told Shalva Amiranashvili: “Now I can say that I

fulfilled my mission before my home country and my people”. Ekvtime

Takaishvili considered his primary civil duty to bring the precious relics

back to Georgia unharmed, and since this big mission was fulfilled

successfully, he was declaring with joy: “I am very happy and I don’t have

a right to complain on my fate”.

Beginning the very first days after his arrival, Ekvyime Takaishvili

was working with the scientific boards of the Academy of Sciences,

Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and the State Museum, publishing

precious materials on different issues of the Georgian history. On 10 May

1945 he was elected as a Professor of Tbilisi State University and in 1946

was elected as an Academician of the Academy of Sciences.

Ekvtime Takaishvili, with his martyr’s life and astounding deeds,

found his place in the eternal pantheon of the famous and immortal men of

Georgia.

... Ekvtime Takaishvili died at the age of ninety on one miserable day

of February. His coffin was accompanied by about forty people, only about

forty … 

Today Georgia knows about the greatness and significance of its

dedicated and devoted son Ekvtime Takaishvili. He was declared as a

martyr by the Georgian church and since then he is called “the Martyr

Ekvtime God’s Servant”.

Roin Metreveli

Academician

THE MAIN DATES OF EKVTIME TAKAISHVILI’S LIFE AND

ACTIVITIES

1863 Was born on January 5 (old style) in Likhauri Village, Ozurgeti

Region.

1870 Entered Ozurgeti Regional School.

1874-1875 Studied at Poti Regional School.

1875 Entered Kutaisi Classical Gymnasium.

1883 Finished Kutaisi Classical Gymnasium._ Entered the Saint Petersburg University, Historico-philological Department.

 1887 Graduated from the Saint Petersburg University,

Historico-philological Department with the Degree of Candidate

of Sciences and recieved the Certificate of Teacher of History.

1887-1894 A teacher of History, Geography, Greek and Latin at Tbilisi Noble School and at the Classical Gymnasium.

1888 Was elected as a member of the Society for Distribution of Literacy among the Georgians.

1889-1921 A member of the Committee of Church Museum.

1894-1904 Head of Tbilisi Noble Gymnasium.

1897 Was founded a Secondary School in Gomareti Village (Dmanisi Region) by E. Takaishvili.

1901 Was elected as a corresponding member of Moscow Archeological

Society and then Head of the Caucasian Department.

_ A member of of the Caucasian Department of the Russian Geographical Society.

1902 A member of the Caucasian Students Society

1903 An honorary member of Tbilisi Economic Society and Economic

Bank, Noble Gymnasium and Georgian Community of Saint Vladimir University.

1904-1911 A teacher of History at Tbilisi Gymnasium No 2 for girls and at Tbilisi Pro-Gymnasium.

1905-1918 A secretary of the Caucasian Department of Moscow Archeological Society.

1907 Was founded Historical and Ethnographical Society of Georgia by his initiative.

1907-1921 A Chairman of Historical and Ethnographical Society of Georgia.

1911-1918 A teacher of History at Tbilisi Gymnasium No 6 for boys.

_ A member of Tbilisi Department of the Society of Oriental Studies.

1913 An honorary member of the Society of Georgian Culture and a member of Restoration Committtee of Djvary in Mtskheta.

1915 A member of the Society of Fine Arts Promotion in the Caucasus.

1916 A member of the Caucasian Handicrafts Committee of Ministry of Agronomy.

1917-1921 A deputy director of the Caucasian Historico-Archeological Institute.

1918 Was conferred Doctor’s Degree of Historical Sciences.

1918-1921 Professsor of Tbilisi University and Head of Archeological Department.

1921 A supervising guard of the treasure moved to France from Georgia.

1922 Was elected as a member of French Numismatic Society of Paris.

1925 A member of Asian Society of Paris.

1945 In April returned to Georgia and brought the Georgian treasure back.

_ Was elected as a Professor of the Department of Georgian History of Tbilisi State University.

1946 Was elected a member of the Georgian Academy of Sciences.

1953 February 21, passed away.

1963 Kavshiri Street was named after E. Takaishvili.

_ His remains were transferred from Vake Cemetery to Didube Pantheon.

1968 Likhauri Secondary School in Ozurgeti Region and the museum of the same school were named after E. Takaishvili.

1986 Gomareti School in Dmanisi Region was named after E. Takaishvili.

1991 Was founded E. Takaishvili Cultural-Scientific Charity Center of

Historical Society at the Georgian Academy of Sciences.

1990 Georgian Historical Society was named after E. Takaishvili.

1992 Was founded E. Takaishvili Tbilisi State University of Culture and Art.

1998 Was founded E. Takaishvili Museum-sanctuary in Guria Region. _ Premium of E.Takaishvili was established.

2000 May 26 his remains were transferred from Didube Pantheon to Mtatsminda Pantheon.

2002 October 17 was declared as a amartyr by the Saint Synod and was granted the title “The Martyr Ekvtime God’s Servant”.

_ Medal of “The Martyr Ekvtime God’s Servant” was established.

2003 Was opened “The Martyr Ekvtime God’s Servant” House- Oratory in Tbilisi , in Vashlovani Street. _ Was founded E. Takaishvili Charity Fund.

2008 Was opened “The Martyr Ekvtime God’s Servant” tample.

Biobibliography