New Evidence on Two Female Members of the Georgian Royal Family at the Safavid Court of Iran According to the Work of Fazli Beg Khuzani Isfahani

(First Quarter of the 17 th Century)

Abstract

The newly discovered third volume of Afzal al-Tawarikh, a work by the 17th-century Iranian historian Fazli Beg Khuzani Isfa­hani, covers the reign of Shah ‘Abbas I (1587–1629).

As a highly significant source, it is valuable not only for the study of Safavid Iran (1501–1722), but also substantially enriches the broader understanding of the history of Georgia and the Caucasus region. The author, who lived and worked in Georgia for an extended period, provides valuable and previously unknown information about Georgia and the Georgians.

Based on Fazli Beg Khuzani’s chronicle, the article discusses the role of two Georgian royal women of this period-Lela-Elene, sister of Luarsab II (1606-1615), and Elene, sister of Teimuraz I (1606–1648)-whose influence is clearly visible in political life both in Geo­rgia and at the Safavid court.