
Rome's expansion into the Caucasus region began in the late 2nd century BCE, targeting areas such as Anatolia and the Black Sea. By 65 BCE, the Roman Republic had destroyed the Kingdom of Pontus, which included Colchis (modern western Georgia), incorporating it into the Roman Empire. This area later became the Roman province of Lazicum. Simultaneously, further east, the Kingdom of Iberia became a vassal state to Rome, enjoying significant independence due to its strategic importance and the ongoing threat from local mountain tribes.
Despite Roman occupation of major fortresses along the coast, their control over the region was somewhat relaxed. In 69 CE, a significant uprising led by Anicetus in Pontus and Colchis challenged Roman authority but ultimately failed. Over the next few centuries, the South Caucasus became a battleground for Roman, and later Byzantine, influence against Persian powers, primarily the Parthians and then the Sassanids, as part of the prolonged Roman-Persian Wars.
Christianity began spreading in the region in the early 1st century, significantly influenced by figures such as Saint Andrew and Saint Simon the Zealot. Despite this, local pagan and Mithraic beliefs remained prevalent until the 4th century. During the 1st century, Iberian rulers like Mihdrat I (58-106 CE) demonstrated a favorable stance towards Rome, with Emperor Vespasian fortifying Mtskheta in 75 CE as a sign of support.
The 2nd century saw Iberia under King Pharsman II Kveli strengthen its position, achieving full independence from Rome and reclaiming territories from a declining Armenia. The kingdom enjoyed a strong alliance with Rome during this period. However, in the 3rd century, the dominance shifted to the Lazi tribe, leading to the establishment of the Kingdom of Lazica, also known as Egrisi, which later experienced significant Byzantine and Sassanian rivalry, culminating in the Lazic War (542-562 CE).
By the late 3rd century, Rome had to acknowledge Sassanian sovereignty over regions like Caucasian Albania and Armenia, but by 300 CE, Emperors Aurelian and Diocletian regained control over what is now Georgia. Lazica gained autonomy, eventually forming the independent Kingdom of Lazica-Egrisi.
In 591 CE, Byzantium and Persia divided Iberia, with Tbilisi falling under Persian control and Mtskheta under Byzantine. The truce collapsed in the early 7th century, leading Iberian Prince Stephanoz I (circa 590-627) to ally with Persia in 607 CE to reunite Iberian territories. However, Emperor Heraclius's campaigns in 628 CE reasserted Roman dominance until the Arab conquest in the latter half of the 7th century. Following the Battle of Sebastopolis in 692 CE and the sack of Sebastopolis (modern Sukhumi) by Arab conqueror Marwan II in 736 CE, Roman/Byzantine presence significantly diminished in the region, marking the end of Roman influence in Georgia.