Tamara, Queen of Georgia

Tamara (Tamar) was crowned co-ruler by her father George III and reigned over Georgia in her own right from 1184, the first woman to rule the kingdom. Her reign marked the summit of Georgia's medieval golden age: her armies won decisive victories over powerful Muslim neighbors, the realm reached its greatest extent, and culture flourished, with the poet Shota Rustaveli dedicating his epic, The Knight in the Panther's Skin, to her. A devout Christian, she convened a church council to reform ecclesiastical life, built churches and monasteries, generously endowed the poor, and was renowned for refusing to sanction torture or capital punishment. She reposed in 1213 and was quickly glorified by the Georgian Church, which honors her as Holy Righteous Queen Tamara, celebrated as the most beloved of Georgia's rulers.