Paytakaran
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paytakaran (Armenian: Փայտակարան), was the easternmost province of the Kingdom of Armenia.[1][2] (also known as "Greater Armenia"). The province was located in the area of the lower courses of the rivers of Kura and Araks, adjacent to the Caspian sea.
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According to Anania Shirakatsi's Ashkharatsuyts ("World Atlas," 7th c. AD), Paytakaran was the 11th among the 15 provinces of the Kingdom of Armenia. It consisted of 14 cantons (gavars): Hrakot, Perozh, Vardanakert, Yotnporakyan Bagink, Krekyan, Vovtibagha, Kaghanost, Buros, Pitchanhani, Atshi, Bagavan, Spandaran-perozh, Vormizd-perozh, and Alevan. It was bounded by the Capsian Sea to the east, Araxes river to the north and north-west, Atropatene to the south, and the Armenian province of Vaspurakan to the west.[3]
Prior to becoming Paytakaran, the region was known as Caspiane by Greco-Roman authors. Caspiane was contested between the regional powers. According to Strabo: "To the country of the Albanians belongs also the territory called Caspiane, which was named after the Caspian tribe, as was also the sea; but the tribe has now disappeared".[4] Also according to Strabo, both Caucasian Albania and Armenia had provinces with the name "Caspiane"[5], but whether these were the same territory was not made clear.
Today, the area is located in the territory of modern day southeastern Azerbaijan and northeastern Iran.
- ^ Strabo, Geography, book 11, chapter 14
- ^ Anania Shirakatsi, Geography
- ^ Anania Shirakatsi, Geography
- ^ Strabo, Geography, book 11, chapter 14.
- ^ Strabo, 11.4
The traditional 15 provinces of Historic Armenia:
1. Upper Armenia • 2. Sophene • 3. Aghdznik • 4. Turuberan • 5. Moxoene • 6. Corduene • 7. Parskahayk •
8. Vaspurakan • 9. Syunik • 10. Artsakh • 11. Paytakaran • 12. Utik • 13. Gugark • 14. Tayk • 15. Ayrarat
Other historical regions of Armenia:
Karin • Taron • Commagene • Armenian Mesopotamia • Norshirakan • Lesser Armenia • Cilicia • Mardali