Originating in the Caucasus Mountains and flowing into the Black Sea near Poti, the Rioni River is 327 kilometers long. The city of Kutaisi, the largest city in Western Georgia, stands on its banks. The ancient Greek poet Hesiod first mentioned the Rioni (known in his time as Phasis) in his “Theogony,” written in the 8th century BC. It is believed that Jason reached Colchis by sailing up the Rioni from the Black Sea coast. Finally, the word “pheasant” (scientific name Phasianus colchicus) comes from Phasis, the ancient name of the Rioni River—the common pheasant was introduced to Europe from this region.
Rioni River
