David X of Kartli 1473 – 1526

Biography

David X of Kartli was born on January 1, 1473, and devoted his life to the kingship of Kartli during a formative period in Georgian history. Though the exact location of his birth remains unknown to us, the trajectory of his life led him to assume significant responsibilities as a ruling monarch during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.

Throughout his reign, David X guided the kingdom of Kartli through a complex era of political and social development. His tenure as king reflected the challenges and opportunities that defined medieval Georgia, as the region navigated its position among neighboring powers and maintained its cultural and religious identity.

David X passed away on January 1, 1526, in Tbilisi, the heart of his kingdom. His life spanned fifty-three years, marking more than half a century of existence during one of Georgia’s significant historical periods. In honor of his reign and legacy, he was interred at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, one of Georgia’s most sacred religious sites and a fitting resting place for a king of his standing.