Yervandashat (ancient city)
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 |
| 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 [clarification needed] of the modern Armenian village of Yervandashat, in the current Turkish Province of Iğdır.[citation needed]
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
- ^ 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)"
- ^ Yervandashat
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