Maristae

Maristae is a term that historically referred to a group of people inhabiting the region that is now modern-day Georgia. These individuals were part of the larger ethnic and linguistic family known as Georgians. The name Maristae appears in ancient and classical sources, often as a way for outsiders to identify the inhabitants of specific territories within the broader Georgian lands. The exact geographical boundaries and political structure associated with the Maristae are not precisely defined in surviving texts, leading to scholarly debate about their specific domain.

The Maristae were likely part of the early kingdoms and principalities that eventually coalesced into the unified Georgian state. Their culture and way of life would have shared many similarities with other Georgian tribes, including their language, customs, and religious practices, which evolved over centuries. Understanding the Maristae provides a glimpse into the complex ethnogenesis and early history of the Georgian people. References to this group are primarily found in the writings of ancient historians and geographers who documented the peoples and lands of the Caucasus. The term itself offers a linguistic link to the ancient understanding of the region's diverse populations.