Editing Rustavi (section)

===Early history===
The 11th-century [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] chronicler, [[Leonti Mroveli]] in his work "''[[The Georgian Chronicles|Georgian Chronicles]]''" connects the foundation of the city to [[Kartlos]], the [[Origin myth|eponymous ancestor]] of [[Georgians]], whose wife had founded a town along the [[Kura (Caspian Sea)|Kura river]] called Bostan-Kalaki ([[Literal translation|lit.]] "''city of gardens''"). The same chronicler, who also worked on “''The life of the Kings''”, mentions the town Rustavi among those castles, which opposed [[Alexander the Great]]'s army, although it is proved that Alexander had never invaded Iberia. Rustavi is mentioned among such ancient towns as Uplistsikhe, Urbnisi, Mtskheta and Sarkineti. It could be assumed that Rustavi as a city had been founded at least in the 5th–4th centuries B.C. Besides the manuscripts, the excavations of the castle Rustavi prove that Rustavi was an important political and administrative center of Iberia. In late 4th century A.D [[Trdat of Iberia]] had built a church and a canal in Rustavi.
[[File:Rustaviscixe.JPG|left|thumb|Rustavi fortress]]
During the reign of [[Vakhtang I of Iberia]] (5th century) Rustavi took an important part in the political life of the Kingdom of Iberia. At the beginning of the 6th century, in 503, the [[Sasanian Empire|Sassanids]] conquered Iberia and turned it into an ordinary Persian province ruled by a ''[[Marzban|marzpan]]'' (governor). However, [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] Emperor [[Heraclius]]'s offensive in 627 and 628 brought final victory over the Persians and ensured Byzantine predominance in Georgia, until the [[Arab rule in Georgia|invasion of the Arabs]]. During the struggle against the Arab occupation, Rustavi belonged to the [[Principality of Kakheti]]. The latter would eventually form the [[Kingdom of Kakheti-Hereti|Kakhetian kingdom]], whose ruler, [[Kvirike III of Kakheti|Kvirike III the Great]], installed an [[Eristavi]] (duke) in Rustavi. Upon Kvirike's death, Kakheti was temporarily annexed to the [[Kingdom of Georgia]].<ref>[[Cyril Toumanoff|Toumanoff, Cyrille]] (1976, Rome). Manuel de Généalogie et de Chronologie pour le Caucase chrétien (Arménie, Géorgie, Albanie).</ref><ref>[[Vakhushti|Вахушти Багратиони]].{{cite web|url=http://www.vostlit.by.ru/Texts/rus6/Wachushti/text5.htm|title=Вахушти Багратиони. История царства грузинского. Возникновение и жизнь Кахети и Эрети. Ч.1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905231600/http://www.vostlit.by.ru/Texts/rus6/Wachushti/text5.htm|archive-date=September 5, 2010|url-status=unfit|access-date=June 29, 2007}}</ref> As soon as the Arabs were defeated, in 1068, Georgia was invaded by the resurgent [[Seljuk Empire|Turkic Seljukids]] from Central Asia, under the command of Sultan [[Alp Arslan]]. A fierce battle took place between king [[Bagrat IV of Georgia]] and the Seljuks, where Bagrat was bitterly defeated and as a result, the king of Kakheti gained independence developing closer contact with the Seljuks and securing independence in this way. After the [[Great Turkish Invasion|Seljukid invasions of Georgia]], allied forces took Tbilisi and Rustavi and gave it to the [[Emirate of Tbilisi|Emir of Tbilisi]]. During that time, Rustavi declined, its economy was ruined, and only thanks to its strategic location did it remain as a well-fortified town in the hands of the emirs in Tbilisi. In 1069 Bagrat IV defeated emir Fadlun and captured the fortress of Rustavi, Partskhisi, and [[Agarani Fortress|Agarani]]. During the [[History of Georgia (country)#King David IV the Builder and Georgian Reconquista|anti-Seljuk campaigns]] led by [[David IV of Georgia|David IV]] Rustavi played an essential role in securing Georgia's southern boundaries. Rustavi was finally destroyed after [[Timur's invasions of Georgia|Timur's invasion of Georgia]].