the abkhazian kingdom was then under the rule of theodosius iii the blind, a weak and inauspicious king, who was bagrat’s uncle by his mother’s side. the kingdom was engulfed into complete chaos and feudal warfare. exploiting the situation, prince kvirike ii of kakheti (939–976), which is now the easternmost region of georgia, raided kartli, hitherto under the authority of the abkhazian kings, and laid siege to its rock-hewn stronghold uplistsikhe. ioane marushis-dze, the energetic "eristavi" (governor) of kartli, urged, in 976, david iii of tao to take control of the province or give it to bagrat in hereditary possession. david responded vigorously and the kakhetians had to withdraw to avoid the confrontation. david gave kartli to bagrat and installed gurgen as his regent. the kakhetians quickly returned to the offensive and seized bagrat and his parents. however, david promptly interfered and restored his stepson in kartli.