 In 1699, the Ottoman government sponsored a coup against King Archil of Imereti and installed Simon as king.The latter married Anika, daughter of the powerful prince Giorgi-Malakia Abashidze, but soon the prince and his second daughter Tamar (widow of Alexander IV) expelled Simon back to Kartli.With the support of Mamia III Gurieli, prince of Guria, Simon managed to stage a comeback and married Mamia’s sister.