King Artashes founder of the Artashesid dynasty, established his Armenian
capital at Artashat (also known as Artaxtisata) around 180 BC. It is believed
that Hannibal, the Carthaginian General who was persecuted by Rome, was also
instrumental in establishing Artashat. Artashat remained the capital of the
dynasty till the reign of King Khosrov III (330–339) when it was moved to Dvin.
Subsequently, Artashat was destroyed by
