in 1177, the nobles of the realm rose against the king and declared prince demna (demetrius) a "true and lawful king of georgia". being a son of george iii's late elder brother david v, demna was considered by many as a legitimate pretender to the georgian throne. approximately 30,000 rebel forces under demna's father-in-law ivane orbeli strengthened their positions at the citadel of lore. ivane decided to request aid from neighbouring kingdoms. in particular, they requested aid from shah-armens and eldiguzids, but no assistance was forthcoming. george iii was able to crush the revolt and embarked on a crackdown campaign on the defiant aristocratic clans; demna was blinded and castrated and most of his in-laws murdered. ivane orbeli was put to death and the surviving members of his family were driven out of georgia. sargis i mkhargrdzeli was appointed as a governor of ani.