Template:Wp-Ashot I of Iberia

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Ashot I the Great (died 826/830) was a presiding prince of Iberia (modern Georgia), first of the Bagratid family to have attained to this office c. 813. From his base in Tao-Klarjeti, he fought to enlarge the Bagratid territories and sought the Byzantine protectorate against the Arab encroachment until being murdered c. 826. Ashot is also known as Ashot I Kouropalates for the Byzantine Kouropalates title he wore. A patron of Christian culture and a friend of the church, he has been canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church.