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- BIOGRAPHY
Bagrat, known as 'Regueni' (the Simple), was a Georgian prince of the Bagratid dynasty of Tao-Klarjeti and the titular king of Iberia-Kartli from 958 until his death. He was the elder son of Sumbat I, whom he succeeded as 'king of the Iberians' in 958.
In spite of having royal status, Bagrat only ruled northern or Hither Tao and, unlike his father, he was not bestowed with the high Byzantine court title of _curopalates,_ which was granted to Bagrat's cousin and the ruler of southern or Thither Tao, Davit III, the most influential person among the Bagratids of that time. Bagrat frequently appeared as a collaborator of Davit, aiding him against the Rawadids of Azerbaijan and even against his own son and co-king Gurgen during a brief split among the Bagratids. By 978 Gurgen had become a defacto king of Iberia, while his son Bagrat III had been adopted and trained as heir by Davit III of Tao, thus setting the stage for future unhification of various Georgian polities into a single Bagratid realm.
As well as Gurgen, Bagrat also had a son Sumbat who predeceased him. Bagrat died in 994.
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