Also known as Arzn, Araksene, Ardzn, or Kharzan. It is located in the southeastern part of the province, north of the
Tigris River. It included the lower basins of the Arza and Bitlis tributaries of the Western
Tigris. It had an area of more than 3500 km2. In ancient sources it is mentioned as Arzanenae. The Armenian historian
Yeghishe names the region Arznarzyu,
Tovma Artsruni as Arzn Aghdzniats. Aghdz was connected to
Ayrarat, the central province of the
Kingdom of Armenia, by the road passing through the
Bitlis mountain pass (Dzorapahak). The province was the capital of the
Aghdznik province. The city of
Arzn was located in the canton.
Located within the
Eğil district in Turkey. Within the canton was the fortress city of
Angegh, the ruins of which are located south of
Diyarbakır, on the right bank of the upper
Tigris. It is assumed that the name Angegh originated from the
deity of the same name. However, there were also other places named after
Tork Angegh in other regions. When the canton was renamed to Kagh, the city was renamed to Kghimar. The region was known to the Greeks and Romans as Ingelene (
Ancient Greek: Ἰγγηληνή;
Latin: Ingilena) and to the Hittites as Ingalawa (
Hittite:𒅔𒃲𒀀𒉿Ingalawa).
Today's
Hizan, located in the upper valley of the
Bitlis river. In
Assyrian and
Babylonian tablets, the region was known as Gilzanu. At the north of the canton lay the Zorapahak mountain pass. The region held the road that connected the
Armenian highlands to
Mesopotamia.
Mentioned in
Anania Shirakatsi'sAshkharhatsuyts. Its exact location is uncertain, according to Hübschmann, the region is located in the Maden River Valley. According to Yeremyan, the canton bordered
Mokk from the east,
Korchayk from the south,
Aghdznik from the west, and the
Yerkhetk canton in the north. Some people assumed that the city of
Tigranakert was founded in this canton.
Within this canton lies the city of Martirosats (known as Martyropolis, later renamed to Mufarghin). The canton spread throughout the mid to lower reaches of the Kaghri river. Nprkert is a lowland canton with hot and dry climates, lacking any forests. The northern section of the canton lays the Ilija mountains. It is believed that the city of
Tigranakert was founded within this region.
Also known as
Sasun. Most of the region lies within the upper reaches of the
Batman River. It bordered the region of Khut in the east, which used to be a part of the Sanasunk region. The region got its name from the Armenian legendary figure Sanasar, who, according to the legend, was the son of the
Assyrian king
Sennacherib who fled with his brother, Baghdasar, to Sanasunk after killing his father. He would build a fortress and gather residents. The region of Sanasunk lies on the
Taurus Mountains.
Also known as Dadik, Datik, Tatko, Tatku, Kuzeltere, and Gyozaldara. The canton lies in the valley of the Tatik River, southeast of the city of
Baghesh. The main settlement of the region was
Khultik.
Also known as Kherhetk, now known as Sgherd. It spread through the lower reaches of the
Baghesh river, east of the
Aghdzn canton. The region is rarely ever mentioned by historians. The main settlement of the region was
Sghert.
Also known as Beradzor,
Berdzor, Berdzork, or Ayrum. The region lies within the region between the
Araks and
Aghavno rivers. The region would be divided between the principalities of
Dizak and
Varanda in the late Middle age. Its city center was
Berdzor.
Included the northern slopes of the
Mrav Mountain Range and the basin of the
Shamkor river, and stretched to the
Tus river. Before the arrival of the
Seljuks and
Mongols, it was under the rule of the
Aranshahiks of
Artsakh and later passed down to the Vahram branch of the
Zakarid, whose seat of power was the
Gag Fortress. In the late Middle Ages, the region was divided into two regions;
Shamkor and
Zakam.
Kusti
With the administrative center being
Parisos, the region extended between the middle triburaty of the Shamkhor river and the crest of the Sevan Mountain range, and the banks of the Akhnji river, the southeastern tributary of the Tavush river, and the mouth of the field. The territory of the province is about 700 km2. In the Middle Ages, the provinces of Kusti and Parnes were included in the principality of
Parisos.
Also known as Metsirank. It occupies the upper basin of
Khachen river, from the
Karkar river to the
Trtu river and from the skirts of Kirsa mountain to the western end of the
Martakert plain. The territory of the province is about 1600 km2. In the late Middle Ages it was called
Jraberd after the castle of
Jraberd.
Also known as Mokhank. The administrative center was the village of
Gish. The province is located south of the
Gargar River and occupies an area of 1250 km2. It was the domain of the Mkhants princely dynasty. In the second half of the 5th century, Mukhank was separated from Armenia and ceded Caucasian Albania. At the beginning of the 9th century, Stepanos Ablasad was the prince of Muhank, who, with the help of Babek, defeated and expelled the
Balasagans from the borders of his domains. However, the latter managed to kill Stepanos Ablasad and took possession of his estates. 12 years later, Southern Artsakh prince Yesai Abu Musa, who was the son of Stepanos Ablasad's sister, recaptured Mukhank from the
Balasagans, as well as the provinces that belonged to his uncle until then.
Also known as Parisos, the administrative center was Parnes. It lays between the middle tributary of the Shamkor river and the continuation of the crest of the
Gegham mountain range and the banks of Akhnji and the mouth of the southeastern tributary of the Tavush river. The territory of the province is about 700 km2. In the Middle Ages, the provinces of Kusti and Parnes were included in the kingdom of Parisos.
Other names are Parskank, Partskank, Pantskank, Paytskan and Pazkank. It mainly occupies the coastal regions of Araks. The province borders the
Araks from the south, The canton of Piank from the east, Myus Haband from the north, and Berdadzor from the northwest. Within the mentioned borders, the area of the province is about 2000 km2.
It includes the lowland regions of Artsakh. It borders the
Araks River from the south, Ishkhanaget from the west, Myus Haband from the north and northwest, and Paytakaran from the east. The area is about 800 km2.
Also known as Abelyankq, Abelunk Myus, Abeghank, Abeghenk, Abeghenk Myus, and Abeghunik.
Urartian inscriptions by King
Sarduri II mentioned the region as Abilianihi. The region is located west of the
Araks river, between the Metsrats mountains, near the village of
Mzhnkert. The region was home to the Abeghean royal house. The approximate area of the province was around 1000 km2, the administrative center was the fortified city of
Mzhnkert.
Aragatsotn
This region held the cities of
Armavir and
Vagharshapat, both of which were capitals of the kingdom at one point.
Vagharshapat was originally known as Vardagesavan, until the reign of
Vologases I of Armenia, who renamed the settlement after him and made it the capital. In the Middle Ages, the northern region of the Aragatsotn region was renamed to
Amberd, after the
Amberd Fortress. The administrative center of the region was
Oshakan. Other notable settlements were
Yervandashat,
Aghdzk, and Yervandakert.
Arats
The administrative center of this region was Arats.
Also known as Yeraskhadzor. It originally belonged to the
Arsacid royal house, but was later passed on to the
Kamsarakan ministerial house. It is believed that it got its name from the name of the first ruler of the province, Arshavir Kamsarakan. The province spread in the western corner formed by the
Araks and
Akhuryan rivers. During the period of
Arab rule, along with many other ministerial houses of Armenia, the
Kamsarakans gradually lost their political influence. The campaign played a particularly important role during the reign of the
Bagratunis. The most notable historical places of the province are the cities of
Yervandashat, Yervandakert,
Bagaran and Artagers Castle.
Also known as Ashotsan or Arshotsan. The administrative center of the region is
Ashotsk. The territory corresponds with the Ghukasyan district of the
Shirak Province of
Armenia. Ashotsk is mentioned in the
Urartian records as Ishkigulu. Prior to the
first partition of Armenia, it was most likely included in
Gugark Province and then
Ayrarat Province. Ashotsk was the hereditary property of the
Ashotsyan ministerial house.
Today's
Alashkert. According to one theory, Bagrevand was the home province of the
Bagratunis. According to Greek chroniclers, Bagravaden. According to another version, it got its name because of the Bagins (Altars). It spread in the upper region of the
Aratzani, between
Haykakan Par mountain range, Tsakhkants and Diadini mountains. In ancient times, Bagrevand occupied a larger area, including the Tsaghkotn province. Alashkert field made up most of Bagrevand territory. Vagharshakert fortress, Bagavan town, and Dzirav field are the famous historical places of the province. Mount Npat is also located here.
Today's
Aparan and
Bjni. The regions administrative center was
Kasagh (today's
Aparan). It was regions of Mazaz and Varazhnunik would later be separated from Nig during the process of feudalization. The lords of the region were the
Gntuni family.
Until the 5th century, the region of Sharur Dasht was the king estate province of the Kingdom. After liberation from Arab rule the region was gifted by
Smbat I of Armenia to the
Siunid princes.
Also known as Tsaghkeont and Tsaghkutn. Today's
Diyadin. The region belonged to the ministerial house of the
Gnunis but were later passed onto the
Arsacids. The region borders Kogovit to the Northeast, Bagrevand from the west, Vaspurakan from the south, and Turuberan from the southwest. It is spread across the upper basin of the
Aratsani river on the slopes of the Tsaghkants mountains.
Also known as Anpayt Basyan or Verin Basyan. The administrative center of the region was
Kars. The region is bordered by the Zarishat mountains and the region of Javakhk in the north, the Yeghnakhagh valley and Kars plateau as well as the regions of Ashotsk and Shirak in the east. From the south, the region borders the Arsharunik (Yeraskhadzor) mountains and the Metsrats and Abeghyank regions, while on the west are the Karmir Porak mountain range divided by the regions of Partizats Por, Berdats Por, Kogh, and Artahan.
Literally translating to "Court of the Armenians", since within this region house
Artashat and
Dvin, two of the Kingdom's capitals during the
Artaxiad and the
Arsacid dynasty. The region occupied the middle and lower reaches of the Azat River. Some notable places of interest located in this region are
Khor Virap,
Kakavaberd, and the Khosrov reserve.
Trabi is located west of
Kaputan Lake, in the basin of the Trabi (Tergewer) River. It was bordered by Ayli from the north, Mari from the south, Kartunik provinces from the west, and
Lake Kaputan from the east.
With the first division of Armenia in 387, Trabi came under the control of
Persia. In the 9th-11th centuries, it entered the domain of the
Artsrunis of Vaspurakan. The cities of
Urmia and Nakhchavan were located here.
It was located northwest of
Lake Kaputan, in the valley of the
Tarono River. North of the province lies the canton of Her, on the south by Tamber, on the west by Arna, on the southwest by the Varazhnunik provinces of
Vaspurakan, and on the northeast by
Lake Kaputan. With the
first partition of Armenia in 387, it came under
Persian rule. In the 9th-11th centuries, it came under the rule of the
Artsrunis (in the kingdom in 908). Its area roughly corresponds to
Salmast province. The significant settlements were the city of Zarehavan, which acted as the administrative center of both the canton and the province, and Saghamas. The region is named after the city of Zarehavan, which itself is named after
Zariadres.
Its area corresponded to the current regions of
Salmast and
Dilman (northwest of
Lake Urmia). One of the historical places of the province is the city of
Salmast, which is mentioned by
Pavstos Buzand.
Also known as Bichankhani, Aropizhan, Aros, Arosbichan, Arospijan, Arospijan, Baros, Bijankhani, Bijankhani, Bijankhani, Biroschani, Hani, Pijan, Pijanhanchani, Pijankhani, Pichanhanhani. It was also called Aros, Arosbichan (Aros-Bichan), Arospichan after the village of
Aros. It was also called Hani (Bazhanhani, Pichanhani), which is derived from the name of the people who lived in
Atropatene in ancient times, identifying it in the Aniana form with Strabo's Aivix. That name is preserved in the name of Ani, with the interpretation of the above-mentioned people moving from
Atropatene to Armenia and leaving a settlement named after him. Paytakaran spread in the southern part of the province, in the upper reaches of the Vilyashchai River. The canton orresponds to the area around the village of
Ərus,
Yardamli district of the present
Republic of Azerbaijan. The village of
Aros acted as the administrative center of the canton.
Also known as Rot-i-Bagha or Vovtibagha. Unlike the neighbouring regions of Vardanakert and Paytakaran, Armenians did not make a majority, as the Armenian population inhabited the administrative center, Baghan Rot. While
Persians and
Caspians largely inhabited the villages of the district. Within the city, Armenians only made up at least half the population.
First mentioned in
Anania Shirakatsi's
Ashkharhatsuyts. It contained the Movakan plane with the city of
Paytakaran. Some academics believed that Herakot and Perozh were separate cantons. It was also known as Paytakaran.
Located in the southern regions of Paytakaran, it borders Alevan to the west, Kokean in the north and northeast, and
Atropatene to the south and southeast. There were two large cities within the territory of the province, being Pichan and Vardzakan.
The region contained Yotnporakan Bagink (also known as Gabaru Bagink), which was an ancient Armenian pagan temple that was later converted into a monastic complex in the 6th century following the
Christianization of Armenia, and was later known as Gabaru Vank, and surrounded by fortifications. It would be destroyed in the 14th century by
Timur's army.
The administrative center of the canton was the fortress of Andzit, which was located southeast of the city of
Kharberd, in the area of the present village of Til-Enzit, where the medieval ruins can be seen. It was located in the lower reaches of the
Aratsani river and covered most of the Kharberd field. The region was first mentioned in Assyrian and Babylonian inscriptions as Enzitu. It had a mixxed population of Armenians and Syriacs, as well as Urtas, who are believed to be remnants of
Hurrians. The royal road from Persia passed through this region and the fortresses of Andzit,
Kharberd, and Elegia were located here, as well as the Hrandea palace where a joint Armenian-
Parthian army defeated the
Romans in 62 AD. The canton was home to the Andzteatsi royal house. Following the partition of Armenia in 387, Andzit became one of the five cantons to fall under
Byzantine rule and was known as Anzitene (
Greek: Ἀνζιτηνή).
The administrative center was the city of
Tigranakert, which was built in the 2nd-1st century B.C. by either
Tigranes I or
Tigranes the Great on the right bank of the Khachen river. 7th century historians
Movses Kaghankatvatsi and
Sebeos mentioned the city and existed as a settlement until the late Middle Ages and was located on the territory of the
Principality of Khachen. The inner valley of the Khachenaget was called the Tigranakert field, and the name has been preserved as "Tkrakert" by the locals.
The domains of the province extended over the Shamkhor river basin and its adjacent territories. The province is also mentioned under the name of Gardmanadzor. According to Tadevos Hakobyan, this province extended in the upper reaches of the Shamkor River. Most of the province is mountainous and forested. Sometimes some authors mistakenly attributed Gardmank province to Artsakh province. There is a famous copper mine in Gardman, which is located on the site of the current city of
Gadabay. These copper mines have been used since ancient times, but references to it become frequent only in the 10th-13th centuries. Getabak fortress, mentioned by Armenian chroniclers, is one of the famous places of Gardman province.
The province is also known to us as Shikashen, Shakashen, Shikashen, and Arshakashen. Strabo called the region Sakasene, and is believed that the name originates from the
Scythians (
Saka). A vast plain belonging to the
Kur river. The city of
Gandzak is one of the significant historical-geographical places of Shakashen, which was built in the 12th century and in a short period of time became a large and prosperous city. It is located on the western side of Uti Arandznak canton.
Ghevond Alishan identifies with the later Gandzak province.
Suren Yeremyan places the settlements of Zakam and Kurak in the center of the valley on the right bank of the Kur River. The settlement of Varta was also mentioned in the sources as one of the settlements of Shakashen. In the first half of the 5th century, Sasanian Iran separated Shakashen from Armenia and transferred it to
Caucasian Albania province.
Also known as Artavanyan in Ashkharhatsuyts, acted as the temple domain of the settlement. It is also assumed that it served a similar purpose during the
Araratian period for the settlement of Tarirakhinili.