Artashat
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| Artashat Արտաշատ |
|
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | Image:Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia |
| Marz | Ararat Province |
| Founded | 190 BC |
| Population [1] | |
| - Total | 35,100 |
| Time zone | GMT+4 (UTC+4) |
| - Summer (DST) | GMT+5 (UTC+5) |
Artashat (Armenian: Արտաշատ; Hellenized as Artaxata) is a city on the Araks River in the Ararat valley. It is the provincial capital of the Ararat Province in Armenia. Town Artashat is the center of the Ararat region. Once one of the oldest towns of Armenia, today Artashat is one of the modern towns of Armenia.
Artashat is situated on Yerevan-Nakidjevan-Baku and Nakidjevan -Tavriz railway and on Yerevan Goris-Stepanakert runway.
It is 5km north-west from old Artashat’s place. The town has 35,100.[1].
Artashat is a middle sized town. In the center of the town one can see the buildings of marzpetaran and the town hall. Not far from the town hall one can see the monument of King Artashes –the founder of Artashat. Artashat also has a stadium, where many competitions and championships are held. At present the town of Artashat is developing. For example, St.Hovhanes church is being built very quickly.
Since 2004 apartment buildings are going up. There exist 6 secondary, one musical , one art and one sports school , a theater named after Amo Kharazyan, which has an historical background and represents a historico-cultural value, an art center named after Sharl Aznavour , a local TV station and town newspapers named “Artashat” and “Navasard. “ Many banks, offices, shops, monuments and beautiful buildings are in Artashat.
On June 1st , 2004, a park has been opened in Artashat, which since then has become the favorite pastime center not only for children and youth, but for adults as well, where every evening concerts and musical shows are taking place.
Recently, in the framework of events devoted to the 1600th anniversary of the invention of the Armenian alphabet, a symposium took place in Artashat, during which participant sculptors from all over Armenia and the diaspora created many cultural monuments in Artashat’s center, working on it nearly a month and a half.
[edit] History
The city was founded by Artaxias I in 190 BC. Strabo and Plutarch described it as a large and beautiful city, terming it the "Armenian Carthage". A focal point of Hellenistic culture, Armenia's first theater was built in the city. Artashat remained the principal political and cultural center of Armenia until the fall of the Armenian Kingdom in 428. Incorporated into the Sassanid Empire, Armenia's capital moved northward to the city of Dvin, just south of modern day Yerevan.
Artashat is said to have been chosen and developed on the advice of Hannibal:
- "It is related that Hannibal, the Carthaginian, after the defeat of Antiochus III by the Romans, coming to Artaxias, king of Armenia, pointed out to him many other matters to his advantage, and observing the great natural capacities and the pleasantness of the site, then lying unoccupied and neglected, drew a model of a city for it, and bringing Artaxias thither, showed it to him and encouraged him to build. At which the king being pleased, and desiring him to oversee the work, erected a large and stately city, which was called after his own name, and made metropolis of Armenia." (Plutarch's Life of Lucullus)
Tigranes II was defeated by Lucius Lucullus in 68 BC at the Battle of Artashat, and the city remained a hotly contested military target for the next two centuries. Artashat was occupied by Syrian legions under the Roman general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo in AD 58 as part of the short-lived first conquest of Armenia, and destroyed in AD 163 when Statius Priscus reconquered Armenia.
[edit] Historical Capitals.The Kings of Artashat
Armenian Old Artashat Culture Distraction Dvin
[edit] Artashat the 1st(189-160 B.C.)
Artashes the 1st (189-160) B.C. was one of the famous Armenian Kings. He had a huge fame in the old world. Astashes introduced himself as an offspring of the Ervanduni royal family. But he founded a new royal dynasty in Armenia, which was called by his name-Artashesyan. The Artashasyan royal family existed nearly 200 years. From the beginning of his reign, Artashes attempted territorial restoration. The problem was that during the last period of Ervanduni reigning period, the provinces of the edge of the country had been occupied by neighboring countries. Due to Strabon, Artashes the 1st had organized invasions in four directions. Artashes the 1st managed to get some provinces back and implemented new territorial division of the country-dividing it into 120 strategies. Artashes the 1st got a nickname “Pious” for his Kindness. The King Artashes built Artashat.
[edit] Artavazd the 1st (160-115 B.C.)
After the death of Artashes the 1st the royal crown was passed into his eldest son-Artavazd the 1st (160-145B.C.). In that period the powerful country of Partevs was at war with Armenia. The Partevs managed to force Artavazd the 1st to accept their superpower in Armenia. Having no heir Artavazd the 1st gave his nephew-Tigran as a pledge to Partevs. Though the attacks from the Pastevs continued, but they couldn’t dominate Armenia. Due to Movses Khorenatsi Artavazd the 1st was a brave, but at the same time an ambitious, cruel and jealous person. Since the beginning of his reign Artavazd the 1st suspected his brothers in their faith and drove them away from royal estate, Besides Tigran, whom he kept because he have heirs and wanted Tigran to become his follower.
[edit] Tigran-Tiran I(115-95 B.C.)
Artavazd the 1st was followed by his brother Tigran (Tiran).He was the father of future Armenian king Tigran Tiran the 2nd, who was once given to Partevs as a pledge. Nothing has reached us about the activities of Tigran the 1st except that he lived in peace, liked hunting and reigned 21 years (Due to Movses Khorenasi).
[edit] Tigran II (Tidran the great) (95-55B.C.)
After fhe death of Tigran the 1st the king of Partevs agreed to leave Tigran to return to his homeland receiving the “70 valleys” instead. In 95 B.C. Tigran was crowned and given the name Tigran the Great (Tigran II )(95-55 B.C). During the reign of Tigran the Great Armenia dominated over huge lands and created a big and powerful country. The territory of Armenia has been tripled. Armenia became one of the powerful countries of the world.
Tigran the 2nd continued to unite the Armenian regions. On the second year of his reign the Armenian army entered Tsovk and occupied it. The king of neighboring Pontish country Mihrdat
sent a delegation to Tigran to sign a treaty. The treaty was
signed and Tigran married the daughter of Mihrdat – Cleopatra. In 93 B.C. the 2 sides planned to invade the kingdom of Kapadovkia. Tigran the Great invaded also Killikia, Lebanon and reached to the borders of Palestine. The territory of Tigran the Great spread from the Mediterranean Sea to the Caspian Sea and from the river Kur to Mesopotamia.
Tigran the 2nd built a new capital in region Aghdznik and called it Tigranakert. But the new capital didn’t have a long life. In 69 B.C. the Romans occupied and destroyed it. Artashat continued as the capital. The Armenian-Roman war, beginning in 69 B.C. ended in 66 B.C. with the treaty of Artashat. Due to the treaty of Artashat, Mets Hayk lost its invaded lands, but kept its own territory and continued to remain united. Tigran the Great continues to be remembered in Armenia as a brave, just and wise king.
[edit] Artavazd II(55-33b.C.)
After Tigran the Great the crown passed to his son-Artavazd the 2nd (55-34B.C.). He had a Hellenistic education and was a very clever political and military leader. The period of Artavazd the 2nd’s reign corresponded with the period, when Rome was spreading its territory throughout the West. The Roman army with Crasos at its head crossed Eprat and moved into Partevstan. The Armenian king Artavazd the 2nd signed a treaty with Partvs. In 53 B.C. a battle took place near the town Kharan, where the Romans were defeated. In spite of the defeat, the Romans didn’t abandon its intention to invade the West. Marc Antony decided to invade into Partevstan. The invasion began in 36 B.C., which ended with the defeat of Romans. Marc Antony blamed the Armenian king Artavazd the 2nd for the Roman defeat and decided on revenge. In 34 B.C. Antory invaded Armenia with a new army and arrested the Armenian king. Artavazd was put into prison and 31 B.C. was sentenced to death.
[edit] Artashes II (30-20 B.C.)
The son of Artavazd the 2nd, Artashes was settled in Partevstan. With the help of Partevs Artashes sent Atrpatakan army away from Armenia. In 30 B.C. Artashes the 2nd was crowned. In order to revenge his father’s death he ordered the annihilation of the whole Roman army in his country. By that event Armenia definitively announced its independence. The Romans would soon respond. Augustus Octavian organized an intrigue against Artashes the 2nd and killed him. The king Artashes the 2nd, who became the victim of Roman fraud, was the last powerful representative of Artashesyan dynasty.
[edit] Tigran III (20-9 B.C)
Due to the order of Augtavian a huge army moved into Armenia bringing with him the brother of Artashes the 2nd- Tigran, who was brought up in Rome. Tigran the 3rd (20-9B.C.) was crowned, which delighted the Romans. But some years later Tigran the 3rd changed his point of view. Before his death he made a will of passing the Armenian crown to his son -Tigran the 4th. This was against the will of Rome.
[edit] Tigran IV
After the death of Tigran the 3rd his son-Tigran the 4th was crowned. Tigran the 4th reigned with his sister Erato. Tigran the 4th was awarded the title “King of kings”. He announced himself independent from Rome. But soon Tigran the 4th was killed during the war against northern tribes, who invaded Armenia. After her brother’s death Erato resigned from the Armenia crown. So Artashesyan dynasty was interrupted in 1B.C.
[edit] The Industry of Artashat
Artashat has various branches of industry. During the last decades wineries, Artashat canneries, milk, porcelain, furniture and textile factories have been opened. During the blockade years some of the industrial factories had been closed. But today a lot of factories are introducing their products in the world market. The quality of Artashat products is satisfactory for these demands.
[edit] Artashat Cannery
The Artashat Cannery is a factory with modern technology, giving the factory opportunities to increase the variety of its production. The factory produces tomato paste, fruit and vegetable cans. 75% of the production is produced in special sacks, which are later changed into 220 liter jugs.
[edit] Artashat Winery
The factory was founded in 1995 and is considered to be one of the most modern and factories of Armenia. The wines and brandies produced in this factory win many orders in international festivals. The brandies “Marzped,” Artavazd ”and “Artashat” are considered among the best types of brandies for the production of the latter. 10 year old spirit brandies have been used.
"Red" wine Areni is produced from local types of grapes.
”Black Areni” is kept for more than 2 years in wooden jugs. It doesn’t lose its special taste and pleasing odor.
[edit] “Mamikonyan and Sons, LTD"
“Mamikonyan and Sons, LTD" was founded in Artashat, in the Ararat region. It deals mainly with cans. Its production has a high level and is equal to modern standards of production. Thus, a lot of activities to improve the quality of the production is being done systematically. This gives the LTD an opportunity to export its production not only to Russia, but also to European market. The company produces more than 200 sorts of fruit and vegetable cans.
[edit] “Great Valley”
The company consists of 5 factories, one of which is the Artashat Winery.
At present “Great Valley” is the main brandy exporter to the Russian market. It is also in cooperation with Germany, Cyprus, China, Kazakhstan and other countries. The Artashat Winery has participated to international exhibitions and won more than 200 medals, 14 grand prizes and a Super grand prize.
It produces 3 sorts of brandies: 1.Brandy “Great Valley”- it is considered to be 3, 4, 5 star brandy, aged 6-25 years.
2.Brandy “King Tigran” is aged 12-30 years.
3.Brandy “Armenyak” is aged 3-21 years.
[edit] The Artashat Porcelain Factory
This factory produces porcelain tiles, which are equal to modern European standards. This tile is the oldest widespread building material built from local red clay without the usage of chemicals. It has a great demand not only locally, but abroad. At present porcelain tile production is developing. The factory is the one in the Republic, which produces porcelain tiles. The production of Artashat porcelain factory introduces itself in market with a label “M. and Mavr”.
[edit] The Cultural places of Artashat
At present the cultural life of Artashat prospers. Being a middle size town Artashat has several cultural places, among them a theater, musical school and an after school work center.
[edit] Artashat Theater Named after Amo Kharazyan
Artashat theater is 2050 years old. During the last 15 years performed not only Armenian national classics and modern creations, but also world masterpieces of dramatic art. Recently the theater performed “My Suffering, my Glory,” devoted to the 90th anniversary of Great Armenian Genocide. It will soon be performed for French audiences as well.
The littlest audience, the children, have always been in the attention of the theater. The theater continues to perform various tales for children.
[edit] Artashat Musical School named after Alexander Melik Pashaev
Artashat Musical School named after Alexander Melik Pashaev was founded in 1956. Since its foundation many concerts devoted to famous people and memorable events have been performed in the musical school. Nearly 443 pupils now study at Artashat Musical School.
[edit] Artashat Afterschoolwork Center
Artashat Afterschoolwork Center has various branches and aims at organizing after school coordinated trainings based on the constitution of the Ministry of Education. The center has an art department, which combines the groups of folk dances, theatrical, choral, brass band and drawing. The department also combines the clubs and groups of different types of sports, active games, tourism, and health. It deals also with foreign tourism
[edit] Sports
- Dvin Artashat - football club
- FC Artashat - football club
[edit] References
- Vahan M. Kurkjian - Chapter XII - The Armenian Kingdom
- B.N. Arakelian, "Les fouilles d'Artaxata : bilan provisoire", Revue des Études arméniennes, 18, 1984, pp. 367-395.
- ^ a b ArmeniaInfo
Cities and towns in Armenia | |
|---|---|
Abovyan · Agarak · Akhtala · Alaverdi · Aparan · Ararat · Armavir · Artashat · Artik · Artsvashen · Ashtarak · Berd · Bjni · Byureghavan · Chambarak · Charentsavan · Dastakert · Dilijan · Echmiadzin · Gavar · Goris · Gyumri · Hrazdan · Ijevan · Jermuk · Kajaran · Kapan · Lernamerdz · Maralik · Martuni · Masis · Meghri · Metsamor · Nor Hachn · Noyemberyan · Oshakan · Qanaqer-Zeytun · Sevan · Shamlugh · Sisian · Spitak · Stepanavan · Talin · Tashir · Tsakhkadzor · Tumanyan · Vanadzor · Vardenis · Vayk · Vedi · Yeghegnadzor · Yeghvard · Yerevan · Zvartnots | |
| Historic capitals of Armenia | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Van · Ani · Armavir · Yervandashat · Artashat · Tigranakert · Vagharshapat · Dvin · Bagaran · Shirakavan · Kars | |||||||
ca:Artaxata de:Artaxata et:Artašat es:Artashat fa:آرتاشات fr:Artashat hy:Արտաշատ it:Artashat ku:Artaşat pl:Artaszat pt:Artaxata ro:Artashat ru:Арташат
