Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world, located on the Armenian Highlands. In ancient times, it was divided into three major regions: Greater Armenia, Lesser Armenia, and the Middle Land (Gamirk). Greater Armenia occupied the central, eastern, southern regions and some provinces of the western region.
Lesser Armenia occupied the southwestern regions. The Middle Land (Gamirk) occupied the western and northwestern regions. During the reign of Tigran II the Great, Cilicia was also annexed to the Armenian Empire. It was located in the southeastern regions of Asia Minor.
Note: The Middle Land is sometimes referred to as Greater or Armenian Cappadocia, but in this article, the term “Middle Land” or, more often, “Gamirk” (its Armenian name) will be used.
Unlike Gamirk (Greater Cappadocia), another state entity is mentioned in literature, situated between the northeastern borders of Hatti and the northwestern borders of historical Greater Armenia (Gugark, Taik, High Armenia). This is Maritime Cappadocia, which in the article will be referred to as “Cappadocia.”
The Armenian Highlands are located between the Iranian and Anatolian plateaus. They are rich in numerous mountain ranges and plateaus, covering a region from 37°30′ to 40°15′ North latitude and from 38° to 47° East longitude.
The area of the Armenian Highlands exceeds 400,000 sq km. The average elevation above sea level is 1550 – 1860 m. The Armenian Highlands are characterized by numerous mountain ridges and chains, as well as isolated mountains.
This gives the Armenian Highlands a highly rugged terrain. This has led to the formation of numerous geographical and topographical units: regions, provinces, and areas where people have settled since ancient times. Numerous rivers flow through the Armenian Highlands, the largest of which are:
The Euphrates [Eastern (Aratsani) and Western], Tigris (Eastern and Western), Kura, and Araks (Eraskh). Rivers in Armenia have been a natural source of livelihood for people. That is why settlements, towns, and even entire regions have formed around the basins of major rivers and their large tributaries.
Greater Armenia was the largest region of the Armenian Highlands, situated in its eastern and central parts. Ancient Armenian-speaking tribes have settled there since time immemorial, and over time they consolidated and formed a unified Armenian nation.
It bordered: to the north: with Georgia (Virk) and Caucasian Albania (Agvank); to the east, it was washed by the Caspian Sea (Vrkana tsov); to the southeast: with Atropatene (Atrpatakan); to the south: with Iran (in antiquity – Persia); to the southwest: with Mesopotamia (the land between rivers); to the west: with Assyria.
In the classical period of Armenian history, it was divided into 15 major provinces (Arm. ashkhar – world): High Armenia, Tsopk (Sophene Major), Aghdznik, Turuberan, Mokk, Korchayk, Vaspurakan, Perso-Armenia (Arm. Parskahayk), Syunik, Artsakh (in the Middle Ages – Karabakh), Paytakaran, Utik, Gugark, Tayk, Ayrarat (Royal Province).
A brief description of these provinces can be provided:
High Armenia was the first province of Greater Armenia, located at the northwestern end of Greater Armenia. It bordered: to the north with the southeastern regions of Cappadocia; to the northwest with the southern regions of Cappadocia; to the east with the western regions of the historical province of Tayk; to the west with the eastern regions of Lesser Armenia; to the southeast with the northwestern regions of the historical province of Turuberan; to the south with the northern regions of the historical province of Tsopk.
It consisted of 9 regions: Daranag, Agyuh, Mndzur, Akileyan [from the beginning of the 4th century AD, after Armenia’s adoption of Christianity – Ekeghyats, the Church Region (since all major temples dedicated to pagan idols were converted into Christian churches)], Mananah, Derdjan, Sper, Shahgom, Karin.
Tsopk (Sophene Major) was the second province of Greater Armenia, located in its western and, partially, in its southwestern parts. It occupied the territory of the left bank basin of the Western Euphrates, the regions located in the upper tributaries of the Western Tigris, and Aratsani (up to its confluence with the Western Euphrates).
For many centuries it was an independent state. However, during the reign of Tigran II the Great (95-55 BC), it was annexed to Greater Armenia, remaining part of it until the end of the 4th century AD.
It bordered: to the north with the southern parts of the Akileyan, Mananah, Daranah regions of the historical province of High Armenia; to the northeast with the northwestern part of the Mardahi region of the historical province of Turuberan; to the northwest with the eastern regions of Lesser Armenia; to the east with the western part of the Arshamunik region of the historical province of Turuberan; to the west with the central part of the eastern regions of Lesser Armenia; to the southeast with the western end of the Taron region of the historical province of Turuberan; to the southwest with the northeastern regions of the province of Melitene (Malatia) of Lesser Armenia; to the south with the northern parts of the regions of Angeh(-tun), Nprkert, and also with the northwestern part of the region of Sanasun (Sasun) of the historical province of Aghdznik. It consisted of 8 regions: Khordzan, Ashtyank, Pakhnatun, Balaovit, Tsopk the Great, Andzit, Dehik, Gavrek.
Aghdznik was the third province of historical Greater Armenia, located in the southwestern regions of Greater Armenia. It bordered: to the north with the southern part of the Balaovit region of the historical province of Tsopk; to the northwest with the southeastern part of the Andzit region of the historical province of Tsopk; to the east with the western regions of the historical province of Mokk; to the south with the northern regions of Osroene (Northern Mesopotamia); to the west with the eastern regions of Lesser Armenia. It consisted of 11 regions located in the mountainous and flat regions of Aghdznik. Flat Aghdznik: Angehtun, Nprkert, Alzn, Kah. Mountainous Aghdznik: Ketik, Tatik, Aznvadzor, Ergertk, Dzeh, Salnadzor, Sanasun (Sasun).
Turuberan is the fourth province of Greater Armenia, located in the southwestern and central parts of the country. It bordered: to the north with the southern regions of the historical province of Ayrarat; to the east with the northwest-southwest regions of the historical province of Vaspurakan, and was also washed by the waters of Lake Van (the western shore of the lake); to the west with the southeastern regions of the historical province of High Armenia and the entire western part of the historical province of Tsopk. It consisted of 16 regions: Khoyt, Aspakunyats Dzor, Taron, Arshamunik, Mardahi, Dasnavork, Tvarcetap, Dalar, Khark, Varaznunik, Apaunik, Bznunik, Erevark, Ahiovit, Kori, Khorhorunik.
Mokk is the fifth province of Greater Armenia, located in the central part of its southern region. It included 8 regions: Ishaer, Mevs, Ishots, Arvenats Dzor, Midzha, Mokk Arandznak, Argastovit, Jermadzor. It bordered: to the north with the southern regions of the areas of Erevark of Turuberan and Rshtunik of Vaspurakan; to the east with the western region of the area of Arnovotn of Vaspurakan; to the west with the southeastern region of the area of Aznvats Dzor of Agdznik and the eastern regions of the areas of Tatik, Ergitk and Ketik of Agdznik; to the south with the central part of the northern and northeastern regions of Korduk of Korchayk.
Korchayk is the sixth province of Greater Armenia. It bordered: to the north with the southern regions of the historical provinces of Mokk and Vaspurakan, as well as with the southeastern areas of the historical province of Agdznik; to the east with the western areas of the historical province of Perso-Armenia; to the west with the southeastern areas of the historical province of Agdznik; to the south with the northern regions of Persia and the northeastern regions of Mesopotamia. It consisted of 11 regions: 1. Korduk, 2. Upper Kordrik, 3. Middle Kordrik 4. Lower Kordrik, 5. Aytuank, 6. Aygars, 7. Motogank, 8. Vorsirank, 9. Karatunis, 10. Chahuk, 11. Small Albak.
Vaspurakan is the seventh and largest province of Greater Armenia, located in the eastern and southeastern parts of the Armenian Highlands. It bordered: to the north, with the southern parts of the Bagrevand and Kogovit regions in the historical province of Ayrarat, as well as the southern parts of the Vayots Dzor, Chahuk, Erndzhak, Dzork, Arevik regions in the historical province of Syunik; to the northeast, with the western part of the Arevan region in the historical province of Paytakaran; to the east, with the northwestern regions of Atropatene (Atrpatakan); to the northwest, with the eastern part of the Agiovit region in the historical province of Turuberan; to the west, it was washed by the waters of Lake Van (eastern coast); to the southwest, with the eastern end of the Yerevark region in the historical province of Turuberan and the eastern regions of the historical province of Mokk; to the south, with the northeastern regions of the historical province of Korchayk. It consisted of 35 regions.
Perso-Armenia is the eighth province of historical Greater Armenia, located in the southwestern region of Greater Armenia. It bordered: to the north, with the Chuash-Rot region of the historical province of Vaspurakan; to the northwest, with the western parts of the Tornavan and Ahand-Rot regions of the historical province of Vaspurakan; to the northeast, with the western parts of the Bakan, Mardpetakan, and Ghabitayan regions of the historical province of Vaspurakan; to the east, with the western coast of Lake Kaputan; to the southeast, with the southern coast of Lake Kaputan; to the south, with the northwestern regions of Media. It consisted of 9 regions.
Syunik is the ninth province of Greater Armenia. It was located west of Korchayk. It bordered: to the north, with Ayrarat and Utik; to the northeast, with the southern regions of the Adue, Tus-Kstak, and Gardman regions of the province of Utik; to the northwest, with the northeastern region of the Mazaz region of Ayrarat; to the east, with Artsakh and Paytakaran; to the west, with Ayrarat and Vaspurakan; to the southeast, with the southwestern region of the Alevan region of Paytakaran; to the southwest, with the northwestern region of the Bakan region of Vaspurakan; to the south, with Vaspurakan. It consisted of 12 regions.
Please note that some names are specific to the historical and geographic context and may not have a direct translation.
Artsakh is the tenth province of Greater Armenia, located in its northeastern region. It bordered: to the north with the southwestern part (southern part of the regions Gardman, Shakashen, and southwestern part of the region Uti Arandzn) of the historical province of Utik; to the east with the southeastern part (southeast of the region Uti Arandzn, southern part of the regions Aran-Rot, Tre, southwest of the region Rot Paravan) of the historical province of Utik; to the west with the eastern part (east of the region Sotk, north and east of the region Agaechk, east of the regions Abant, Bahk, and Kavsakan) of the historical province of Syunik; to the south with the western region of the area Vardanakert of the historical province of Paytakaran. It consisted of 12 regions.
Paytakaran is the eleventh province of Greater Armenia. It bordered: to the north with the southern regions of Caucasian Albania; to the east to the northeast with the southwestern regions of Caucasian Albania, and the rest of the eastern part was washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea (the western coast of the lake); to the west with the eastern regions of the historical province of Vaspurakan, and to the northwest with the southern regions of the historical province of Utik, with the southern regions of the historical province of Artsakh, with the southern regions of the historical province of Syunik; to the south with the northern regions of Atropatene. It consisted of 12 regions: Grakot-Perodz, Vardanakert, Jotnaporakan Bahink, Bahan-Rot, Araspichan, Khani, Atchi Bahavan, Spandaran-Perodz, Vorevmizd-Perodz, Alevan, Bailakan, Kavsakan.
Utik is the twelfth province of Greater Armenia. It was located to the west of the Araks, in the basin of the right tributary of the Kura River. It bordered: to the north with Caucasian Albania (along the Kura River) and Georgia; to the east with Paytakaran; to the west with Gugark; to the south with Artsakh and Syunik. It consisted of 8 regions: Aran-Rot, Tre, Rot-Paravakan, Aduë, Tus-Kstak, Gardman, Shakashen, Uti Arandznak.
Gugark is the thirteenth province of Greater Armenia. It bordered: to the north with Georgia; to the east with Utik; to the west with Coastal Cappadocia; to the south with Tayk and with Ayrarat. It consisted of 9 regions: Dzoravor, Kohbapor, Tsobapor, Tashir, Trehk, Kangark, Upper Djavakhk, Artagan, Kharchk.
Tayk is the fourteenth province of Greater Armenia. It was located in the southwest of Armenia, to the east of Gugark, in the basin of the Chorokh River and its tributaries. It bordered: to the north with Lazica, Adjara, and Eger; to the northeast with the region Kharch of Gugark; to the west with the Kingdom of Pontus; to the south with the western regions of High Armenia and Ayrarat. It consisted of 8 regions: Koh, Berdatspor, Partizatspor, Chark, Bukha, Vokaha, Azordatspor, Araytsapor (Aryuts).
Ayrarat is the fifteenth province of Greater Armenia.
Ayrarat was the fifteenth province of Greater Armenia. It was located to the west of the Araks River, between the basin of the Araks and the right bank of the Kura River. It bordered: to the north with the southern part of the Javakhk region of the historical province of Gugark; to the northeast with the southwestern part of the historical province of Utik; to the northwest with the southeastern part of the Khardzhk region of the historical province of Gugark; to the east with the western tip of the Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor regions of the historical province of Syunik; to the west with the eastern tip of the Koh and Berdatspor regions of the historical province of Tayk; to the southwest with the northeastern tip of the Karin region of the historical province of High Armenia; to the south with the entire northern region (northern parts of the Mardakhi, Dasnavork, Tvaratsetap, Apaunik, and Agiovit regions) of the historical province of Turuberan, and the northwestern region (northern parts of the Garni, Mardastan, Artaz regions) of the historical province of Vaspurakan. It consisted of 20 regions. During the reign of the Artashesians (starting with Artavazd II) and the Arshakids, only the king, queen, and crown prince had the right to live in Ayrarat. Therefore, during this period, Ayrarat was also called the “royal province.”
Lesser Armenia was one of the largest regions of the Armenian Highlands, located in its west. It bordered: to the north with Cappadocia; to the northwest with Pontus; to the east with the western regions of Greater Armenia (High Armenia, Tsopka, Agdznik); to the west with the eastern regions of Gamirk; to the southwest with the north-eastern regions of Mountainous Cilicia; to the south with the northern regions of Commagene.
The Middle Country (Gamirk, Armenian Cappadocia) was located in the northwestern and western regions of the Armenian Highlands.
Cilicia is a large region in southeastern Asia Minor, traditionally divided into two parts: Mountainous Cilicia and Flat Cilicia. Mountainous Cilicia has been inhabited by independent Armenian-speaking tribes and states since ancient times.
In Flat Cilicia, in addition to Armenian-speaking populations, Greeks also settled. Starting from the late 8th – early 7th centuries BC, they formed colonies and city-states. The southern part of Flat Cilicia was washed by the waters of the northeastern tip of the Mediterranean (formerly called the Great Sea).
Ovanes Tiratsuyan
Translated Vigen Avetisyan
