According to Socrates, a great Greek philosopher, the ancient civilized world stretched from the Phasis (the river Rioni) to the Pillars of Hercules (the Straits of Gibraltar). It was the original region, which was gradually widening and around which ancient (Greek and Roman), then European and, in the last centuries, Euro Atlantic civilized world was establishing.
The Greeks themselves drew the division line between Europe and Asia on the river Phasis (the Rioni). According to one of the most famous monuments of the world ancient mythology, Argonauts, the old capital of Colchis Aea the city of Cytaea was also built on the river Phasis. It was the residence of the first Georgian King Aeetes and his beautiful and wise daughter, Medea. It was considered that from the halls of their grand palace Helios(the Sun) would start to rise. Here the symbol of the countrys strength, wealth and wisdom the Golden Fleece was kept.
With this magnificent halo the oldest Georgian city, Kutaisi, came into history. The first and the only sources of the wonderful adventure of Aeetes and Medea are classical myths and legends of the ancient world. All this took place at least 3300 years ago, i.e. XIV-XIII BC.
The capital of Historical Imereti and Western Georgia, Kutaisi was located in a very suitable position, at the junction of two great cultural worlds, on the Transcaucasian way between Europe and Asia. Through the Black Sea ports (first of all Phasis, Poti) is was linked to the outer world.
The city of Kutaisi is built on the banks of River Rioni the best inland navigable and abounding in water river in the country. It divides the city into two (Western and Eastern) parts. The centre of the city is at the attitude of 150 metres above sea level. From the city one can very well see major and minor Caucasus mountains capped with eternal snow. Kutaisi is located 220km west of Tbilisi.
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Kutaisi is the most ancient city of the world. Old Greek mythology and history attributes it to XIV-XIII centuries BC. From the ancient times and into the feudal era, Kutaisi intensively kept the position of the first city of Western Georgia. From AD978 to 1122 it was the capital of a united Georgia and perhaps its foremost attraction is the magnificent 11th Century Bagrat Cathedral, now a World Heritage Site, which still dominates the city. During its long history Kutaisi has suffered numerous invasions and periods of neglect but it remains a fascinating city which is attracting ever more tourists both in its own right and also as a centre for exploring the glorious, unspoilt and diverse regions of Western Georgia.