XXXI Международный конгресс ИИСАА. 23–25 июня 2021 г. Т. 1

Россия и Восток. К 100-летию политических и культурных связей новейшего времени. Т. 1 169 Источниковедение и историография народов Кавказа This view is reinforced by one of the bas-reliefs preserved in the famous Harichavank Cathedral in Armenia (Illustration 18) (photo courtesy of historian Vladimir Kekelia). The most beautiful aspect of this architectural complex is the main church (Surb Astvatsatsin) of Virgin Mary, built in 1201 by Ivan and Zakaria Mkhargrdzeli. The Ktetors of the temple are depicted in the bas-relief on the east- ern façade of the church. It is important for the reader to understand the identity, meaning and role of the persons in the Georgian royal court who were depicted in the bas-relief. Amirspasalari Zakaria II was a Georgian “Mandaturtukhutsesi” 1 from 1206 until his death. Queen Tamar also awarded him the title of “Shahinshahi” and he is described as “placed in the seat of the Armenian King”, he was a great ruler, owning part of the lands of Kvemo Kartli, the Armenian communities annexed by the Kingdom of Georgia, as well as the cities of Rustavi andAnis. 2 His brother Ivan held the titles of Msakhurtukhutsesi 3 (1191–1205), Atabagi (1212–1227), and also Amirspasalari (1212–1227). From the last decade of the twelfth century to the end of the 1220s, he held all the highest positions in the Georgian royal court. 4 It is therefore not accidental that the Mkhargrdzeli 5 brothers shown in the bas-re- lief of the Temple of Harichavank also wear costumes resembling the royal garment of Lasha Giorgi. After all, the Mkhargdzeli brothers, with their power and influence, stood above the Dukes and the Grand-Dukes of Georgia. However, the bas-relief of the same Harichavank Cathedral and the way the Mkhardgrdzeli brothers are dressed clearly show the hierarchical boundary that existed between the highest officials of the royal government and their subordinates.  The headdresses of the Mkhargredzeli brothers in the mentioned bas-relief (as well as in the fresco of Kober 6 Church) are identical to the hats of Georgian Dukes Rati Surameli and Shergil Dadiani, whereas their costumes are similar to robes worn by princes and nothing like royal attire. Finally, we would like to focus on one interesting detail: the well-preserved bas-re- lief of Haritchi also shows the hairstyle of the Mkhargrdzeli Brothers (Illustration 19). The academic Ivane Javakhishvili remarks on the style of haircut during this period: “In the XI, XII and XIII centuries the hair was kept rather long. Everyone had curls.” 1 In a modern sense, his position can be described as Minister of Internal Affairs 2 Encyclopedic Dictionary: Central and Local Official Formation in Medieval Georgia. Tbilisi.2017. P.117 3 Msakhurtukhutsesi was a majordomo of the royal court or master of the royal house- hold in feudal Georgia. He was in charge of the palace and its finances. “Within his province was the supervision of the treasury, the bedchamber, the head of bed keepers, the head of treasurers etc.” 4 Encyclopedic Dictionary. P. 92. 5 Mkhargrdzeli were a noble Georgian-Armenian dynasty of at least partial Kurdish origin. Their name Mkhargrdzeli meant long-armed. 6 Kobayr is a 12th-century Georgian monastery located in the village Kobayr within Lori marz, Armenia.