[Captain Kirk]

Thanks for the primer but in medieval times, of course, the Mongols ruled Russia and China and the Greeks ruled Turkey. That period was so long ago that provides little to no help to judging the current situation. I am more interested in the last eighty years, especially the period since 1991. What is the record for that period?

[MarMema]

The Georgians are an ancient civilization. Their language and choral harmonies are unable to be traced. They were making wine before Christ. Their language is among the most ancient 3 or 4 known in the world.

In Tbilisi they still have much of the feudal fortress in place and you can visit it. It is called Narakala.

1991 is irrelevant.

Have you heard about Dmansi?

[MarMema]

Mongols, nothing. I am talking ancient. I stood in a 4th century church in Georgia.

Narikala is an ancient fortress overlooking Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and the Kura river. The fortress consists of two walled sections on a steep hill between the sulphur baths and the botanical gardens of Tbilisi. On the lower court there is the recently restored St Nicholas church.

The fortress was established in the 4th century as Shuris-tsikhe (i.e., "Invidious Fort"). It was considerably expanded in the 7th century and later, by king David the Builder (1089-1125). The Mongols renamed it "Narin Qala" (i.e., "Little Fortress").

[MarMema]

Remains of towns at this location have been dated to earlier than the year 1000 BC, and Mtskheta was capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia during the 3rd century BC - 5th century AD. It was the site of early Christian activity, and the location where Christianity was proclaimed the state religion of Georgia in 317. Mtskheta still remains the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church.