The polities of the Caucasus and the regional powers in the medieval and early modern period

This extended article presents an outline of the medieval and early modern history of the Caucasus based on a comparative analysis of a variety of local and international academic and other sources. It examines various local polities and their relationship with more powerful neighbours and other states, whose vassals or spheres of influence they were in or parts of. The article aims to elucidate the complexities of the Caucasus' history which continue to affect political, societal and cultural trajectories of its ethnically and religiously diverse peoples.