ABKHAZIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN PART OF GEORGIA Special Thanks to David Gigauri for Contributing to Article

Colchis (inc. today's territory of Abkhazia ) becomes an autonomous region of the Roman Empire (small periods under Parthians). Romans give a new name– Lazica, after Georgian Laz population of the area.

300AD – 562AD

Lazica (inc. today's territory of Abkhazia ) becomes partially independent. Name of the new Kingdom - Lazica-Egrisi (Laz-Megrelians), ruled by Georgian King Gubaz, and later by Tsate. By the end of this period Byzantium takes full control of the northern part of modern day Abkhazia.

Byzantine historian Procopius of Caesarea states that towns of Sebastopolis ( Sukhumi ) and Pitiunt (Pitsunda/Bichvinta) are towns of Laz (Georgian) and Abazgs from time immemorial are subjects of the Georgians (Laz).

Procopius of Caesarea further states that the stronghold of Tzebil (Tsebelda) is ruled by a noble Georgian, Terdet.

562AD – VII AD

Western Georgia (Lasica-Egrisi) is absorbed by Byzantium , as an autonomous region, keeping the old name. Later though it's broken up into separate provinces, all subject to Byzantium .

VII AD – VIII AD

Arab invasions weaken Byzantium . Abazgia is mentioned as an eristavat (principality).Capital of modern day Abkhazia, Sukhumi is first mentioned as Tskhumi (before Greek and Roman names were used - Sebastopolis and Dioscurias). Name derives from Georgian Svan word meaning hornbeam (many Georgian Svan villages have the same root Tskhumar, Tskhomi, Tskhvim etc). Abkhazians call Sukhumi Akua, a name first mentioned only in 18 th century AD.