Karina Manukyan
Archaeologists have discovered ancient archives during excavations in Artashat, the capital city of Greater Armenia.
Pavel Avetisyan, Director of the Institute of Archeology
and Ethnography of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences and head of the excavations, told ArmInfo that two archives dating
back to the first and second centuries B.C. were found during previous diggings. The third archive was
found this year near a Roman-type ancient bathhouse, on the hill of Khor Virap, with a total of 850 documents. It contains exceptional information about the late period of Artashat.
"It is said that Hannibal the Carthaginian, after Antiochus had been
conquered by the Romans, left him and went to Artaxias the Armenian, to
whom he gave many excellent suggestions and instructions. For instance,
observing that a section of the country which had the greatest natural
advantages and attractions was lying idle and neglected, he drew up a
plan for a city there, and then brought Artaxias [Artashes] to the place
and showed him its possibilities, and urged him to undertake the
building. The king was delighted, and begged Hannibal to superintend the
work himself, whereupon a very great and beautiful city arose there,
which was named after the king, and proclaimed the capital of Armenia."
"Arminfo," October 16, 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment