Artashat

Artashat (Greek: Artaxata) was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Armenia, founded in 176 BC by King Artaxias I, founder of the Artaxiad dynasty [1]. Located on the left bank of the Araks River in modern Ararat Province near Khor Virap monastery, it served as Armenia's political and commercial center until approximately 120 AD [1]. Archaeological excavations reveal the city was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times between the 1st and 5th centuries AD before being abandoned [1][2].