In 923, King
Constantine III of Abkhazia () died, and George, then George II Abkhazia succeeded him. However, Bagrat, George's youngest brother, also claimed the crown, the latter engineered a coup with the support of a party of nobles, most importantly his father-in-law,
Gurgen II of Tao (). The conflict lasted for nearly seven years and ended with the sudden death of Bagrat in 930. To secure the allegiance of the local nobility in central Georgia, George appointed his son Constantine as a duke/viceroy of
Kartli in 923, but the latter too, revolted against him in 926. In response, George entered in Kartli and placed the rock-hewn city of
Uplistsikhe under siege. He lured Constantine by treachery and had him blinded and castrated. In the same year, he installed another son, Leon (the future king
Leon III), as a duke/viceroy of Kartli. George II, aided by the rebellious Kakhetian (
Gardabanian clan) nobles, proceeded to campaign against the
Kvirike II,
Prince-bishop of
Kakheti. He succeeded in dispossessing Kvirike of his principality in the 930s. To secure his supremacy over Kartli, George allied himself with the Georgian
Bagratids of
Tao-Klarjeti, and betrothed his daughter,
Gurandukht, to
Gurgen Bagrationi. Kvirike was soon back on the offensive and stirred up a rebellion in Kartli. In response, George sent a large army under his son, Leon, but the king died during the expedition, and Leon had to make peace with Kvirike, ending his campaign inconclusively. == Cultural life ==