Editing Colchis (section)

=== Under Roman rule ===
{{Main|Georgia in the Roman era|Caucasian campaign of Pompey|Lazica}}
Despite the fact that all major fortresses along the sea coast were occupied by the Romans, their rule was relatively loose. In 69, the people of Pontus and Colchis under [[Anicetus (pirate)|Anicetus]] staged a major uprising against the [[Roman Empire]], which ended unsuccessfully. The lowlands and coastal area were frequently raided by fierce mountain tribes, with the [[Svaneti]] and [[Heniochi]] being the most powerful of them. Paying a nominal homage to [[Rome]], they created their own kingdoms and enjoyed significant independence.

Under Hadrian, the Romans established relations with Colchian tribes. Hadrian sent his advisor, [[Arrian]], to tour Colchis and Iberia. Arrian depicted a turbulent fluctuation of tribal powers and boundaries, with various hostile and anarchic tribes in the area. The Laz controlled most of coastal Colchis, while other tribes such as the [[Sanigs]] and [[Abasgoi]] escaped Roman jurisdiction. Other tribes, like the [[Apsilae]], were becoming powerful and their king with the Romanised name Julianus was recognized by Trajan.{{sfn|Rayfield|2012|p=33}} Arrian listed the following peoples in his [[Periplus of the Euxine Sea]] written in 130-131 (from south to north): Sanni, [[Machelones]], [[Heniochi]], Zudreitae, [[Laz people|Lazi]], [[Apsilae]], [[Abasgoi]], [[Sanigs]] and [[Zygii|Zilchi]].<ref name="ArrianFalconer1805">{{cite book |author1=Arrian |first2=Thomas |last2=Falconer |title=Arrian's Voyage Round the Euxine Sea: Translated and Accompanied with a Geographical Dissertation and Maps: to which are Added Three Discourses, I. On the Trade to the East Indies by Means of the Euxine Sea, II. On the Distance which the Ships of Antiquity Usually Sailed in Twenty-four Hours, III. On the Measure of the Olympic Stadium |url=https://archive.org/details/gri_33125009310745 |year=1805 |publisher=J. Cooke |page=[https://archive.org/details/gri_33125009310745/page/n20 9]}}</ref>

According to traditional accounts [[Christianity]] began to spread in the early first century by [[Andrew the Apostle]], [[Simon the Zealot]], and [[Saint Matthias]]. A change in burial patterns in the 3rd century was possibly due to Christian influence.{{sfn|Rayfield|2012|p=33}} The [[Hellenistic civilization]], local [[paganism]] and [[Mithraic Mysteries]] would, however, remain widespread until the fourth century. [[Goths]], dwelling in the [[Crimea]] and looking for new homes, raided Colchis in 253, but were repulsed with the help of the Roman garrison of [[Pitsunda]]. By the first century BC, the Lazica (or the Laz) kingdom was established in the region. Lazica became known as Egrisi in 66 BC when Egrisi became a vassal of the Roman Empire after the [[Caucasian campaign of Pompey]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediapeop00west |url-access=limited |last=West |first=Barbara A. |publisher=[[Facts on File]] |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-8160-7109-8 |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediapeop00west/page/n483 461]}}</ref>