georgian greek king modern western georgia circa assassination central personalities war originally ascended throne vassal byzantine_empire heavy handed actions byzantine authorities led seek assistance byzantium main rival byzantines evicted aid persian army persian occupation country turned worse requesting assistance byzantium remained byzantine ally years fought control fortress focal point struggle eventually byzantine generals fruitless continuation war assassinated biography early life byzantine descent mother marriage earliest recorded marriage byzantine custom marrying byzantine women usually aristocracy common royalty uncle king unknown exactly reigned married byzantine named known younger brother succeeded throne unnamed sister married children wife offspring known father known ancient annals professor specialist history son direct successor king uncle actually ruled king exact date accession unknown earlier attested king likely accession lived years byzantine capital constantinople recorded influential position imperial palace alternatively probably given title honorary appointment accession byzantine client state king rejected persian rule emperor reigned series heavy handed byzantine measures unpopular particular establishment trade monopoly general regulated newly constructed fortress drove seek protection persian broke eternal peace invaded byzantine province spring troops led guides marched mountain passes submitted byzantines resisted killed fortress fell soon left persian garrison departed country soon grew christians resented greatly affected cessation black_sea trade byzantium contemporary byzantine historian reports aware strategic importance intended entire people replace step persian ruler planned assassinate intentions switched allegiance byzantium return byzantine allegiance emperor dispatched men force set siege persian garrison siege dragged neglected watch mountain passes led far larger persian relief force arrived raised siege lacked sufficient supplies strengthening garrison leaving men secure supply routes left spring year combined forces destroyed army surprise attack pursued survivors summer won victory new persian army led allies failed prevent persian army reinforcing recalled replaced pro persian revolt broke people north provided opportunity high ranking noble called important fort land tribe retook fort refused accept rule persuaded byzantine general byzantines finally took razed new army able establish persian control eastern byzantine forces withdrew west mouth including family sought refuge mountains despite enduring harsh conditions winter rejected peace offers conveyed envoys received substantial reinforcements attacks fortresses held byzantines repulsed death years byzantines increased forces failed achieve decisive success generals wrote emperor accusing incompetence following defeat recalled martin resolved rid sent message constantinople accusing dealings emperor intending question authorized generals arrest force necessary byzantine generals september october invited observe siege persian held fort met john brother stabbed king dagger fell horse servants gave finishing blow murder stopped participating operations time leading failure byzantine attack fort assembly people informed emperor events requested investigation launched asked younger brother time residing constantinople confirmed new ruler byzantine emperor complied requests leading senator named dispatched investigate murder sent assume throne investigation cleared suspicion brother john found guilty executed autumn martin simply deposed post
Gubazes II of Lazica