ABASGI

ABASGI. — Aboriginal inhabitants of the Caucasus region, dwelling in the territory between the Singames and Pityus; they were semi-dependent on Rome from the time of Hadrian. Under Theodosius, the First Ala of the Abasgi had its quarters in the great oasis of the Thebaid. Procopius attests that down to his own day these barbarians worshipped groves, believing trees to be deities. In accordance with the customs of the Caucasian peoples, they traded with Byzantium and the empire by selling handsome youths who had been castrated. Justinian forbade this inhuman practice, employing a eunuch of the palace, Efrata—himself an Abasg—while at the same time he provided for the evangelization of that people by sending missionaries, and later by establishing a bishop there. Notable in this work were St. Maximus the Confessor and, after him, St. Stephen the Younger. During Heraclius’ Persian campaign, the Abasgi deserted the emperor but remained steadfast in the Catholic faith.