Levan I Dadiani

Levan I Dadiani
Levan I Dadiani in a fresco in the Tsalenjikha Cathedral.
Prince of Mingrelia
Reign1533–1572
PredecessorMamia III Dadiani
SuccessorGeorge III Dadiani
Died1572
IssueGeorge III Dadiani
Mamia IV Dadiani
Manuchar I Dadiani
DynastyDadiani
FatherMamia III Dadiani
ReligionGeorgian Orthodox Church

Levan I Dadiani (also Leon; Georgian: ლევან [ლეონ] I დადიანი; died 1572) was a member of the House of Dadiani and ruler of Odishi, that is, Mingrelia, in western Georgia. He succeeded on the death of his father, Mamia III Dadiani, as eristavi ("duke") of Odishi and ex officio mandaturt-ukhutsesi ("Lord High Steward") of Imereti in 1533. Dadiani's break with the king of Imereti brought about his downfall and imprisonment in 1546. He was able to escape and regain his possessions, securing Ottoman support for his independence from Imereti.