Search

During the reign of Emperor Basil II, the Byzantine Empire intensified its policy of expansion in the eastern direction, thereby creating the prerequisites for the capture of new territories. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate and highlight the significant role of the Principality of Tayk in the context of this policy, and also to illustrate the diplomatic success of the Byzantine Empire in the capture of Tayk. The Principality of Tayk reached its apogee during the reign of David Kuropalates Bagratid. As a consequence of the latter’s heirless state, King Bagrat III of Georgia was designated the successor to Tayk. As a result of Basil II’s astute and forward-thinking policies, the territory of the Tayk principality was first expanded, and subsequently, Bagrat III was deprived of his inheritance. In the end, Basil II was declared the heir of the Tayk principality. Despite the efforts of the Georgian establishment, Tayk was annexed to the Byzantine Empire at the end of Basil II’s reign.