Eristavi

Eristavi (Georgian: ერისთავი; literally, “head of the people”) was a Georgian feudal office, roughly equivalent to the Byzantine strategos and normally translated into English as "duke". In the Georgian aristocratic hierarchy, it was the title of the third rank of prince and governor of a large province. Holders of the title were ex-officio commanders of a military 'banner', wore a distinctive dress, ring, belt and spear and rode a particular breed of horse.

Some high-ranking eristavis were also titled as Eristavt-eristavi (Georgian: ერისთავთ-ერისთავი), i.e. "duke of dukes", but it is improbable that the holder of the title had any subordinate eristavis. Erismtavari (Georgian: ერისმთავარი; literally, "chief of the people") was a similar title chiefly endowed upon the pre-Bagratid rulers of Iberia (Georgia) and later used interchangeably with the eristavi.

Silver coin with Georgian inscriptions, minted by Erismtavari Stephanoz I of Georgia, 7th century.

The title gave origin to the surname of four Georgian noble houses confirmed in their princely ranks under the Russian rule in the 19th century. These families were often known simply as Princes Eristov in Russia but they did not have the same origin.

Eristavi families

• Abazasdze
• Abuserisdze
• Chorchaneli
• Chosroids
• Dadiani
• Eristavi of Aragvi
• Eristavi of Guria
• Eristavi of Ksani
• Eristavi of Racha
• Gelovani
• Ghobiari
• Guaramids
• Gurieli
• Jaqeli
• Kakhaberisdze
• Liparitids
• Nersianids
• Panaskerteli
• Shervashidze
• Surameli
• Thornikios
• Vardanisdze

References

• (Georgian) Djavakhishvili, I. (1928) History of Georian law. Book 2. volume 1. Tbilisi.
• (Georgian) GSE, (1979) volume 4, page 192, Tbilisi.