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Ararat

Ararat region is situated in the western part of Armenia, south of Yerevan. The center is the city of Artashat. Ararat province includes the territories of the former administrative districts – Ararat, Artashat and Masis. The main road runs along the left bank of Araks River. Ararat Mountain, which is associated with Noah according to the Bible, has a great influence on Armenians. It was the object of worship and myths.

In the north mountains are covered with the Khosrov forest. It’s the artificial forest. Now it’s a territory of National Reserve protected by the state. The administrative center is situated in the northern part of the historical capital of Armenia. According to written sources and archeological excavations, it was one of the largest centers of Hellenistic culture that existed until 370 A.D.

In addition to Artashat here was another ancient capital of Armenia, Dvin, founded in 332-338 B.C.

This region is rich in historical monuments – the monastery Agdots (13th century), Avuts Tar (10th-13the centuries), Shenats *6th-15th centuries), Kakavaberd fortress (4th-12th centuries). Tourists have an opportunity to enjoy rambling, admire the landscape and fishing.

Artashat

Artashat is a city founded by King Artashes I, the consolidator of Armenian lands. Its foundation apparently refers to the 90s of the 2nd century B.C. From that time to the 4th century A.D. it was the capital of Armenia. The Greek historian Strabo pointed, “This city is situated in the recess similar to the peninsula, around it except the neck of land stretches the wall in front of the river. The neck of land is surrounded by the ditch and embankment.” These and other sources of historians allow determining the location of the ancient Artashat on the left bank of Araks River at the place where Metsamor runs into it.

There are authentic records of historians that prove the fact that Artashat was built with the help of immigrants. Benefits provided to citizens facilitated the construction of the city and its improvement. Such customs were quite common in many cities of the Hellenistic world.

Archeological excavations of the city revealed its fortified part, located on nine hills. Graeko-Roman and Armenian histrorians report on the royal palace that was located in the citadel. Most likely, this palace was built on the hill where in the 17th century the monastery Khor Virap had been built. Near the palace was the prison for especially dangerous criminals. The same sources mention a number of public buildings distinguished by their architectural benefits.

The question on existence of the theater building in Artashat is not clear yet. Only archeological excavations can confirm reports of eyewitnesses about theatrical performances that took place in the theater building. Today we have the evidence that these performances took place only at the royal palace.

There’s an extant story full of drama telling about the performance of Euripide’s tragedy “Thyiads” at the royal palace of Artashat. It was attended by Parthian King Orod, his son Pacorus, which married the sister of Artavasdes. It was a war of Parthia and Armenia with Rome. In 53 B.C. Romans were defeated at Carrhae and lost their commander Crassus. His head and the right arm were delivered to Parthian King in Artashat. The messenger arrived at the time when the whole court was watching the tragedy. He stepped up the proscenium and threw terrible evidence of the victory in front of the kings. The actor Jason from Thrall, who played the role of Ahava, picked up the head of Crassus and showed it instead of Pentheus’s head torn by maenads by saying the words he supposed to say in the course of the action. These were the following words of the tragedy, “From the mountains we bring horns of the deer killed on our successful hunting.” Thunder of applause was the answer to the words of the ingenious actor, meaning that the Greek speech was clear to Armenian and Parthian nobles that thronged the hall.

The glory of a big and prosperous city, called “Carthage of Armenia” by Plutarch, continued to accompany Artashut in the 1st century A.D. In 59 the Roman general Corbulon destroyed the city and by 77 Trdat I had restored it with the help of masters released by Nero. This was the fate for many Armenian cities. But vicissitudes of fate could not stop the growth of Artashat, flourishing of its cultural and economic lives. And it couldn’t have been otherwise as Artashat was on the Silk Road.

 

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