Georgian history has been profoundly affected by the country's espousal of Christianity in the fourth century AD.

During its 'Golden Age' from the eleventh to thirteenth centuries it was a world commercial and cultural centre and a key point on the Christian frontier during the Crusades. After centuries of Mongol and Turkish subjection and absorption into the Russian/Soviet Empire, Georgia is today once again an independent country.

The introductory text of this book traces Georgia's long cultural history from archealogical beginnings to the present. Twenty-three essays by scholars from all over the world give a vivid portrayal of Georgia's heritage in history, literature and manuscript production, archeology and art throughout prehistoric, classical and Christian periods up to the Early Modern Era.

A fully illustrated, descriptive catalogue of 165 works ranging from a ceramic shard of the 6th millennium BC through10th-century icons to early 20th- century paintings.