Ervandakert

Ervandakert ; Երուանդակերտ ) was an ancient Armenian city built by the last king of Orontid dynasty Orontes IV in the 3th century BC.

Etymology

Foreigners named the city Aghjaghala or Ağça-kala, which translates as "white fortress".

History

The settlement was built at the end of the 3rd century BC and the beginning of the 2nd century BC by the last king of the Orontid dynasty, Orontes IV. It was a fortress and was on the Akhurian river are traces of the ancient bridge connecting Yervandashat to the fortress of Ervandakert built by the same ruler on the opposite bank of river by a stone bridge. This is how Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi described the city.