Arsamosata

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Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

Arsamosata was an ancient and medieval city situated on the bank of the Murat River, near the present-day city of Elâzığ.

Variants

  • Middle Persian *Aršāmšād;
  • Old Persian *Ṛšāma-šiyāti-,
  • Ancient Greek: Ἀρσαμόσατα,
  • Armenian: Արշամաշատ,
  • romanized: Aršamašat
  • Ashmushat (In middle ages)
  • Armosota (Ἀρμόσοτα)
  • Arsamosota (Ἀρσαμόσοτα).(Ptolemy. The Geography. Vol. 5.13.)
  • Asmosaton
  • Shimshāṭ (in Arabic)

Jat Gotras Namesake

Mention by Pliny

Pliny[1] mentions The Rivers Cyrus and Araxes....The more famous towns in Lesser Armenia are Cæsarea3, Aza4, and Nicopolis5; in the Greater Arsamosata6, which lies near the Euphrates, Carcathiocerta7 upon the Tigris, Tigranocerta8 which stands on an elevated site, and, on a plain adjoining the river Araxes, Artaxata.9

3 Hardouin thinks that this is Neo-Cæsarea, mentioned as having been built on the banks of the Euphrates.

4 Now called Ezaz, according to D'Anville. Parisot suggests that it ought to be Gaza or Gazaca, probably a colony of Median Gaza, now Tauris.

5 Originally called Tephrice. It stood on the river Lycus, and not far from the sources of the Halys, having been founded by Pompey, where he gained his first victory over Mithridates, whence its name, the "City of Victory." The modern Enderez or Devrigni, probably marks its site.

6 Ritter places it in Sophene, the modern Kharpat, and considers that it may be represented by the modern Sert, the Tigranocerta of D'Anville.

7 The capital of Sophene, one of the districts of Armenia. St. Martin thinks that this was the ancient heathen name of the city of Martyropolis, but Ritter shows that such cannot be the case. It was called by the Syrians Kortbest; its present name is Kharput.

8 Generally supposed, by D'Anville and other modern geographers, to be represented by the ruins seen at Sert. It was the later capital of Armenia, built by Tigranes.

9 The ancient capital of Armenia. Hannibal, who took refuge at the court of Artaxias when Antiochus was no longer able to afford him protection, superintended the building of it. Some ruins, called Takt Tiridate, or Throne of Tiridates, near the junction of the Aras and the Zengue, were formerly supposed to represent Artaxata, but Colonel Monteith has fixed the site at a bend in the river lower down, at the bottom of which were the ruins of a bridge of Greek or Roman architecture.

Foundation

It was founded in c. 240 BC by Arsames I,[2] the Orontid king of Sophene, Commagene and possibly Armenia.[3] The city served as a central center and royal residence of the Orontids of Sophene. The origin of its name was Persian, meaning "Joy of Arsames".[4] Naming cities such the "joy of" or "happiness of" was a Orontid (and later Artaxiad) practice that recalled the Achaemenid royal discourse.[5]

It was left and destroyed in the 1st century BC. In the Middle Ages it was called Ashmushat. In Roman and Byzantine times, it bore the names Armosota (Ἀρμόσοτα)[6] and Arsamosota (Ἀρσαμόσοτα).[7] It was also known in Byzantine times as Asmosaton.[8]  It was called Shimshāṭ in Arabic.[9] A prominent native of Arsamosata was the 10th-century poet Abu'l-Hasan Ali al-Shimshati.[10]

Arsamosata has been identified with the abandoned settlement site known as Haraba, [11]  [12][13]located by the Murat Su, near the east end of the Altınova plain, some 60 km east of Elazig,.[14] Much of the site now lies submerged under the waters of the Keban Dam. The hill that served as the former city's citadel now juts out toward the northeast into a shallow lake created by the dam. The city itself appears to have been just below the hill on the southeast, although this is not entirely certain.[15] 

History

Limited archaeological evidence, consisting of a few pottery finds that strongly resemble Urartian ceramics, point to the existence of a settlement at Arsamosata in ancient times - perhaps between the 10th and 7th centuries BCE.[16]   However, any settlement here was probably not very significant.[17]   The main Urartian settlement in the region was at Harput, which seems to have served as a fortified administrative center.[18]   Another large settlement existed at Norşuntepe, although it was unfortified during this period.[19]   The local population was at least partly Urartian; there may have also been members of the Mushki people present.[20] 

The ancient towns at Harput and Norşuntepe dispersed around the Achaemenid period.[21]   From then until the foundation of Arsamosata in the mid-3rd century BCE, the Altınova plain had no large towns.[22]   Arsamosata may have been founded as a display of prestige.[23]  Its original population was probably mostly drawn from the surrounding villages.[24]  Its location was probably chosen because its distance from the region's main route, which came through the Ergani pass to Tomisa further west, made it relatively safe from attack.[25]   However, being off the main trade route also meant that Arsamosata was not a major commercial center during this period.[8]: 136  Its economy was mostly based on agriculture instead.[26]  

In late antiquity, Arsamosata formed one of the main settlements in the district of Anzitene.[27]   The nearby city of Dadima appears to have grown due to commerce from Ergani and Tomisa by the late 6th century, probably absorbing some of Arsamosata's population.[28]   However, Arsamosata remained a major city with a mixed population of Armenians and Assyrians.[29] 

Later, in the period after the Arab conquest, Dadima shrank to a small town, probably because it was close to the Arab-Byzantine border and therefore prone to attack.[30]   Many of its residents moved to Arsamosata, which was in a safer position further east.[31] Some of Melitene's population probably moved to Arsamosata at this point as well.[32] With Dadima's decline, Arsamosata was now the lone major city in the region.[33]

However, despite its more secure position, Arsamosata still lay in a contested region, and it changed hands several times during this period.[34] A Byzantine offensive in 837, led by the emperor Theophilos, captured Arsamosata along with Melitene.[35]  By autumn 938, the city was back under Arab control - the Hamdanid amir Sayf al-Dawla retreated toward Arsamosata that autumn while being pursued by Byzantine forces. Howard-Johnston, James (2006). East Rome, Sasanian Persia and the End of Antiquity. Ashgate. ISBN 0-86078-992-6.p.270 In 939, according to James Howard-Johnston, Arsamosata fell to the Byzantines again. [36]

After the Byzantine conquest, Arsamosata was made the capital of a small theme.[37] This theme probably only covered the immediately surrounding plains to the north and east; i.e. the easternmost part of Anzitene.[38]  In the 970s, the theme of Arsamosata was broken up.[39] Arsamosata shrank to a medium-sized town and some of its population probably migrated to Harput, the new main capital of the region.[40] A garrison was still kept at Arsamosata's citadel, but the town walls were probably now too big for the dwindling settlement within and must have fallen into disuse.[41]  

Arsamosata still existed under the Artukid principality of Harput, but it was no longer a major city.[42]  It survived until at least 1199, when its bishopric is last attested, and probably continued into the early 13th century as well.[43]  When Yaqut al-Hamawi visited Arsamosata in the early 13th century, he found it "in ruins, with only a tiny population".[44] The citadel garrison was eventually withdrawn at some point, possibly after the Seljuk conquest of Anzitene in 1234, and Arsamosata was finally abandoned.[45]: Its population dispersed to villages on the surrounding plain and in the hills beyond.[46] 

The name "Arsamosata" continued to be used until modern times, to denote a group of several villages near where the old city had once stood.[47] As of the 20th century, there were seven of them, collectively known as "Arşimşat" (from the Arabic form of the city's name).[48] 112  The closest one to the old city was Haraba (from Arabic "kharaba", meaning "ruin"), about half a kilometer to the southwest of the ruins.[49] A local tradition recorded around the turn of the 20th century held that there had once been a large city here, divided into two parts called "Samusat" and "Ashmushat".[50] 

Even before the construction of the Keban Dam, the city ruins (below the citadel) were already underwater due to meandering of the Murat Su, and by the mid-20th century not much of them remained visible, although one traveler reported seeing some khachkars here.[51]  Archaeologists conducted excavations at the citadel before the dam was built, in 1969, 1970, and 1973.[52] They dug six trenches, mostly on the southeast side of the hill where walls were already visible.[53]  

References

  1. ↑ Natural History by Pliny Book VI/Chapter 10
  2. ↑ Canepa, Matthew (2018). The Iranian Expanse: Transforming Royal Identity Through Architecture, Landscape, and the Built Environment, 550 BCE–642 CE. Oakland: University of California Press. ISBN 9780520379206.p.110
  3. ↑ Marciak, Michał (2017). Sophene, Gordyene, and Adiabene: Three Regna Minora of Northern Mesopotamia Between East and West. BRILL. ISBN 9789004350724.p.123
  4. ↑ Canepa, Matthew (2018). The Iranian Expanse: Transforming Royal Identity Through Architecture, Landscape, and the Built Environment, 550 BCE–642 CE. Oakland: University of California Press. ISBN 9780520379206.p.110
  5. ↑ Canepa, Matthew (2021). "Commagene Before and Beyond Antiochos I: Dynastic Identity, Topographies of Power and Persian Spectacular Religion". Common Dwelling Place of all the Gods: Commagene in its Local, Regional, and Global Context. Franz Steiner Verlag. pp. 71–103. ISBN 978-3515129251.p.82
  6. ↑ Polybius. The Histories. Vol. 8.25.
  7. ↑ Ptolemy. The Geography. Vol. 5.13.
  8. ↑ Howard-Johnston, James (2006). East Rome, Sasanian Persia and the End of Antiquity. Ashgate. ISBN 0-86078-992-6.p.247
  9. ↑ Bosworth, C.E. (1997). "SHIMSHĀṬ". In Bosworth, C.E.; van Donzel, E.; Heinrichs, W.P.; Lecomte, G. (eds.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Vol. IX (SAN-SZE) (PDF). Leiden: Brill. p. 442. ISBN 90-04-10422-4.
  10. ↑ Bosworth, C.E. (1997). "SHIMSHĀṬ". In Bosworth, C.E.; van Donzel, E.; Heinrichs, W.P.; Lecomte, G. (eds.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Vol. IX (SAN-SZE) (PDF). Leiden: Brill. p. 442. ISBN 90-04-10422-4.
  11. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340.p.112
  12. ↑ Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
  13. ↑ Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 89, and directory notes accompanying.
  14. ↑ Howard-Johnston, James (2006). East Rome, Sasanian Persia and the End of Antiquity. Ashgate. ISBN 0-86078-992-6.
  15. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. Retrieved 29 July 2022. Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire. p.112 
  16. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.113
  17. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.134
  18. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340.p.134
  19. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.134
  20. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340.p.134-5
  21. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340.p.137
  22. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.136-7
  23. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340.p.136
  24. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.137
  25. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.136
  26. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.136
  27. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.139
  28. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.140
  29. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.140
  30. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.144-5
  31. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.144-5
  32. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.145
  33. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.144
  34. ↑ Bosworth, C.E. (1997). "SHIMSHĀṬ". In Bosworth, C.E.; van Donzel, E.; Heinrichs, W.P.; Lecomte, G. (eds.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Vol. IX (SAN-SZE) (PDF). Leiden: Brill. p. 442. ISBN 90-04-10422-4.
  35. ↑ Howard-Johnston, James (2006). East Rome, Sasanian Persia and the End of Antiquity. Ashgate. ISBN 0-86078-992-6. p.256
  36. ↑ Howard-Johnston, James (2006). East Rome, Sasanian Persia and the End of Antiquity. Ashgate. ISBN 0-86078-992-6. 248 
  37. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340,p.149
  38. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340.p.149
  39. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340,p.149
  40. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340,p.149
  41. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340, pp.149, 152
  42. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340,p.152
  43. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340,p.152
  44. ↑ Bosworth, C.E. (1997). "SHIMSHĀṬ". In Bosworth, C.E.; van Donzel, E.; Heinrichs, W.P.; Lecomte, G. (eds.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Vol. IX (SAN-SZE) (PDF). Leiden: Brill. p. 442. ISBN 90-04-10422-4.
  45. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. ,p.152
  46. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. pp.112,152
  47. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.112
  48. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.112
  49. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.112
  50. ↑ Howard-Johnston, James (2006). East Rome, Sasanian Persia and the End of Antiquity. Ashgate. ISBN 0-86078-992-6,p.270
  51. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340. p.112-3
  52. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340.p.113
  53. ↑ Sinclair, T.A. (1989). Eastern Turkey: An Architectural & Archaeological Survey, Volume III. Pindar Press. ISBN 0907132340.p.113
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