Armazi

Ancient capital of the Georgian kingdom of Iberia (Kartli), founded in the 3rd century BC by King Pharnavaz I near modern Mtskheta. Three cultural layers span the 4th century BC to 6th century AD. Excavations from 1943 under Andria Apakidze uncovered 30 hectares of fortified ruins, a 2nd-3rd century bathhouse, and noble burial grounds. The famous Armazi Bilingual stele (c. 150 AD), inscribed in Greek and the extinct Armazic script, was discovered in 1940. The city was destroyed by Arab invasion in the 730s.