Artashat, the capital of kings.

The capital of Artashat was built by Artashes 1^st in 2^nd century B.C. It is known that in decision of the location of Artashat, Armenian king helped the great Carthaginian genera Hannibal Barca, who was considered the main enemy of Rome.

Artashat was built at the confluence of the Araqs and Metsamor, on the 12 large and small hills. From the testimonies of ancient authors, it becomes obvious that the city was the one of the most powerful trading cities in the region, it was located at the crossroads of international trade routes, and the chose of the location was very good, both in strategicall and economicqal sides, and undoubtedly fulfill all the necessary requirements, which, according to ancient historians, must be in the construction of the city. [1, p. 181-188]

A number of European missioners, travelers and Armenian scientists, among which the largest scientist Ghevond Alishan, based on evidences of historians, trying to find the location of Artashat, and they took the ruins of Dvin as Artashat, because next to Dvin there was a village Verin Artashat. Here, in 1899 was excavated famous Armenologist N.Mar, but he never confirmed that it was Artashat. Thus, ended the searching of Artashat. [2, с. 17]

In 1967 in the village of Poqr Vedi, during the construction workers found the stone on which were Latin inscriptions.One part of the stone consists of five calcareous plates (alt. 8.5 m., wide 0.80 m). The inscription belongs to Emperor Trayanos, it says: “ The Emperor, the divine Ceaser, son of Nerve Nerve Trayanos, Optimus (best), August, Germanicus, Dacicus, Parthian, the highest of the Holiness the Maximos (greatest), the power of the tribune (endowed) 20 times, the Emperor (dedicated) 13 times, also the Consul, (homeland, father?), IV Scythian legion carried out (stopped). The inscription made after the 20^th or 21^st of February or before 10^th December in 116.” [3, p. 308]

Because of Poqr Vedi is within the bounderies of the North-East of the capital of Artashat, all founded materials associated with the ancient town and gaps in the study of Armenian history. Eventually, the excavations of the capital Artashat have been started. In 1967 began a thorough survey of the territory, and since 1970 excavations yielded rich and saturated materials, showing a multilayer rich urban culture. It turned out that the hills of Artashat had been inhabited from the early period of agriculture. This is evidenced the traces of habitation on the VII and VIII hills, dating bach to V-IV millennium BC.

I hill. The first hill is a building with triangular plan, large halls and towers, the diameters of which in some places reaches 9-10 m. The hill orginates from the Northern side. It had a protective purpose. Here were found constructions of barraks, forge, armory and other facilities.

II hill.  On the south-west side of the first hill the walls are coming down and connecting the first and second hills. This part’s height is 70m, and its served as fortress.

III and IV hills. II and IV hills are the parts of the overall protective system and provided communication with III and V hills, and also with other parts of the city.

V hill. Fifth hill is very convient for habitance (with the notable traces of large furnaces). The excavations were open houses, remnants of personal archives in front of the gate of the houses [4, p. 365-370]. Maybe, there were a custom and one of the market squares.

VI hill. The hill (alt. 50m) was cult center of Artashat, there were a temple dedicated to the patron  of the whole Artashat and also Armenia Anahit, as well as the ancestors of the kings. It is known that the sacred places are not tolerated, and today is here Khor Virap.

VII hill. This hill was an area of workshops, there were an artisans and middle class citizens. We can’t forget about the army, as the VII hill in its location, as well as I carried an important function. Together with III, IV, V hills it provided military security of the II and IV hills.

VIII hill.  On the eight hill were found a few baths, furnace for making lime, a large number of accessories associated with winemaking. All this suggested that there were artisans.

Other hills also had a defensive fence and was part of the city. But, as the hills of Artashat rich with black marble, several of them were blew up, causing damage to many buildings.

Since 2003 excavations of Artashat carried out in the south-western side of the preserved hills on the banks of the river Araqs. Here were opened uniqe traces of monumental building. Especially, noted a public bath with hypocaustic columns and with a variety of mosaics. Its consists of 9 large and small rooms, which preserved very well. The pagan temple, found in the neibourhood of bath is very important, which, in all probability is the most ancient pagan temple in Armenia (before that we were known Garni temple). The width of the temple 22.5m, length 30m. The temple was built on a fine chiseled rocks served as strobes. The columns of the temple have conelurs, the tample had 3 large acroteria, etc. To date, during the excavations the fragments of this tremendous temple is coming out, which allow to get an idea about Armenian architecture in general.

The excavations is not stop to surprise not only us but also whole world. In 2013 under the charred beams had been founded 850 sassanid bullas with the variety of images: The Sasanian kings (Shapur I, Vaharhan I, Ardashirm etc.), ministers, animals, etc. It turns out that we are working with great archive that proves that Artashat was a trading center.

In 2014, during the archaeological excavations, the opening adjacent room of tha bath, founded a wall painting that are unique and the only one in the entire region. They look like paintings, found during the excavation in Pompei and Herculanum, with diverse colors, plant and animal ornaments.

Once again, I would like to emphasize that being a capital, artashat was the embodiment of political and economic power in Armenia. Due to its strategic location and favorable conditions for the economy, more than 500 years ot has relained it status of the first city, which served as a vivid testimony archives, found for many years. Artashat layered and multi-faceted monument, where we can find hisotires, civilizations, culture and the important stages of development of these crops. Waiting for a new surprises, Artashat!

1. Ժ. Դ. Խ ա չ ա տ ր յ ա ն. Հայաստանի անտիկ շրջանի քաղաքներն քաղաքաշինությունը
2. Б. Аракелян, АрташатI,Ереван 1982 с. 17

3.Բ. Ն. Ա ռ ա ք ե լ յ ա ն. Լատիներեն արձանագրություններ Արտաշատմայրաքաղաքից.ՊԲՀ, 1967

4. Ž. D. K h a c h a t r i a n. The Archives of Sealings Found at Artashat (Artaxata).– “Bulletin de correspon-dance Hellenique”, Supplement 29, Paris, 1996, pl. 73-76

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Translated from Armenian