ABSTRACT
COMMENTARY 29 The organization of the Kakhian army (ref. Chap. 4, p. 159, n. 2) Under the united Georgian Kingdom the royal army was marshalled in four 'banners' (G. droshani) or divisions assembled on a regional basis (Wak./Brosset, p. 35). The tradition and the pattern were retained in the smaller successor kingdoms of Imereti, Kartli and Kakheti. The Kakhian 'banners' were (i) Martqopi, headquarters for Garet (,outer') Kakheti, ancient Kukheti - the country between the river Iora and the Kartlian border; in battle this 'banner' fought on the left flank; (ii) Bodbe, headquarters for Kisiqi 'banner', covering south-east Kakheti between the Alazani and the Iora and forming the advance-guard in battle; (iii) Nekresi, headquarters for Shignit ('inner') Kakheti (also called Gaghma-Mkhari: i.e. 'on that side of' (=beyond) the Alazani); in battle this 'banner' formed the right flank (Wak.jBrosset, pp. 30 5, 30 9-11, 315). The fourth 'banner' would appear to have been the King's household troops, holding the centre in battle.
