The first settlement on the site of Artaxata (Yerevan) was probably an Urartian fortress-city, built on the hill of Arin-Berd. Archaeological excavation has dated the founding of the fortress to 782 BC in the reign of King Argishti. The fortress was named Erebuni according to cuneiform inscriptions, a name which probably led to the modern name of Yerevan. Within thick walls the archaeologists excavated "palace buildings, halls, temple complexes, military barracks, industrial and economic buildings".¹

After the defeat of Antiochus the Great by the Romans in 190 BC, the governor of Greater Armenia, Artaxias (Ardashes), with the approval of Rome, became an independent king. Artaxias established his capital at Artaxata on the Araxes.²

It is said that Hannibal the Carthaginian, after Antiochus had been conquered by the Romans, left him and went to Artaxas 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 Artaxas 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.³

Endnotes

1. Department of Archeology, History Museum of Armenia, "The Archeological Sites," http://www.historymuseum.am/departments/archeology_sites_en.htm#erebuni (accessed October 12, 2006).
2. Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., s.v. "Armenia," http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/APO_ARN/ARMENIA_old_Persian_Armina_Arme.html (accessed October 12, 2006).
3. Plutarch, Bernadotte Perrin trans., "Life of Lucullus" Vol. II Loeb Classical Library, 1914. http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Lucullus*.html (accessed October 12, 2006).