Yervandashat (ancient city)

Yervandashat
Երվանդաշատ
The heights on the right bank of Aras River are the site of ancient Yervandashat
Shown within Turkey
Location 1 km east of the current village of Yervandashat, Armenia, on the right bank of Aras River in modern-day Turkey
Coordinates 40°07′N 43°39′E / 40.117°N 43.650°E / 40.117; 43.650Coordinates: 40°07′N 43°39′E / 40.117°N 43.650°E / 40.117; 43.650
History
Builder King Orontes IV of Armenia
Founded 210 BC
Abandoned 360

Yervandashat (Armenian: Երվանդաշատ), was an Armenian city and one of the 13 historic capitals of Armenia[1], serving as a capital city between 210 and 176 BC during the Orontid rule over Armenia and the beginning of their successors; the Artaxiad dynasty.

History

Yervandashat was built around 210 BC by the last Orontid king Orontes IV of Armenia. It was at a height on the right bank of Aras River, in the Arsharunik canton of Ayrarat province of Armenia Major. Its site is 1 km east of the modern Armenian village of Yervandashat, in the current Turkish Province of Iğdır.

According to Movses Khorenatsi, Orontes founded Yervandashat to replace Armavir as his capital after Armavir had been left dry by a shift of the Arax River.

Ancient Yervandashat was destroyed by the army of the Persian King Shapur II in the 360s AD.[2]

The archaeological site has not been the subject of major research, but preliminarily, the fortifications and some remains of palaces have been uncovered.

References

  1. ↑ Cyrille Toumanoff. Studies in Christian Caucasian history. — Georgetown University Press, 1963. — С. 75.:"The capitals of Armenia were successively: Armavira or Armawir of the Orontids (Manandyan, O torgovle 37) until the transfer by Orones IV of his residence to Eruandasat (*Orontasata)"
  2. ↑ Yervandashat


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