Hunara: Journal of Ancient Iranian Arts and History

On an Account of Arrian concerning Armenia in the Achaemenid Period

Document Type : Original Research

Author

Hovhannes Khorikyan

M. Nalbandyan State University of Shirak

https://doi.org/10.22034/hunara.2024.207372
Abstract
The history of Armenia during the destruction of the Achaemenid Kingdom is fragmentarily presented in extant sources, which do not allow forming a complete picture of the history of Armenia. In this regard, Arrian’s account of the 2nd century AD refers to the participation of Armenians in the Battle of Gaugamela, which took place in 331 BC. This data has sparked controversy in Armenology, and it is not an isolated exception. The mention of Armenian involvement in the Battle of Gaugamela is important in the sense that after two hundred years of Achaemenid rule, Armenia regained its independence and conducted independent politics in international relations. The Arrian’s account is also important in identifying Orontes and Mithraustes, who led the Armenians.

Keywords

Arrian
Achaemenids
Curtius
Battle of Gaugamela
Armenia
Orontes
Mithraustes

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