Georgia: Land of the Golden Fleece

Georgia was one of the first nations to adopt Christianity: the lecture mentions how this came about and then concentrates particularly on the fine tradition of church building and architectural decoration, showing Byzantine and also some oriental influences from over 1,500 years ago until the present day. Mediaeval artefacts, such as manuscripts, icons and enamelled devotional items, are now museum pieces.

All this is put in the context of Georgia's ancient tradition of gold working, which gave rise to the Greek legend of the Golden Fleece, and its Caucasian landscape, which - among other factors - has given this country's culture such a strong, individual character.

Recommended Reading:

• Tim Burford - Georgia (Bradt Travel Guide)
• Tony Anderson - Bread and Ashes (Vintage)
• Peter Nasmyth - In the Mountains of Poetry (Routledge)
• Christoph Baumer - History of the Caucasus (IBTauris)
• Thomas de Waal - The Caucasus (Oxford)