Yervandashat

Yervandashat (also known as Erevandashat and Marmet) was the last capital of the Kingdom of the Orontids, succeeding Armavir. It was founded by King Yervand IV the Last (220–201 BC) on the left bank of the Araxes River, at its confluence with the Akhurian River. Orontes-Yervand the Last transferred the capital from Armavir to Yervandashat in the last quarter of the 3rd century BC. Movses Khorenatsi, who provides valuable information about the location and construction of Yervandashat, explains this by noting that the Araxes River had changed its course and moved away from the Armavir hill; during winter, the tributary froze because of cold winds (although some water probably still flowed through the old channel), leaving the capital without water. Khorenatsi writes:“When the winter became prolonged and cold northern winds blew, the tributary froze completely, and sufficient drinking water could not be found for the royal residence. Distressed by this, and seeking a more strongly fortified place, Yervand moved the royal court westward...”.Yervand surrounded the citadel with high walls, reinforced the city gates with copper-plated and strongly fortified doors, and dug passages down to the foot of the hill so that water could be obtained from the river in the event of a siege of Yervandashat. Yervand transferred all the royal wealth and part of the population of Armavir to the new

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