| John ივანე (იოვანე) | |
|---|---|
| 'Usurper' | |
| King of Abkhazia | |
| Reign | 871–873 |
| Predecessor | George I |
| Successor | Adarnase |
| Dynasty | Shavliani |
| Religion | Georgian Orthodox Church |
John Shavliani (Georgian: ივანე (იოვანე) შავლიანი), was the noble and founder of House of Shavliani, presumably of Svan origin and King of Abkhazia between 871 and 873.[A]
King George I of Abkhazia died without a male heir, however there were still other members of the royal family that the two sons of his brother, Demetrius II: The oldest, Tinen of Tchikha and the youngest, Bagrat (then Bagrat I of Abkhazia) that was exiled to Constantinople. The representatives of the Shavliani aristocratic family, who had a deal with the Queen, the widow of George I, put to death Tinen, while Bagrat was "thrown into the sea", the latter was survived and fled to Constantinople. As a result, John usurped the power in the kingdom but died after less than two years of reign and his son Adarnase succeeded him.