The Tigris River
The Tigris River (East and West) is one of the largest rivers in the Armenian Highlands. It consists of 2 branches: the Eastern Tigris and the Western Tigris.
Eastern Tigris. Origins: it starts at the foot of Mount Nordus, located in the Andzevatsik region.
It goes west, reaches the Mokk – Korchayk border, turns south and reaches along the border of Korchayk – Agdznik. Then: it goes along the Agdznik-Korchayk border. Along the course of the Eastern Tigris, it is joined by the rivers (northern tributaries of the Eastern Tigris): the Tatik River, the Bagahesh River.
In the southern part of the historical province of Agdznik, it merges with the Tatik River. Further, the united course of the Tatik and Bagahesh rivers descends to the south. These rivers join the main channel of the Eastern Tigris on the southeastern border of the historical province of Agdznik. At the border of Korchayk – Agdznik – Osroene, it joins the waters of the Western Tigris, forming a common channel.
Western Tigris. Origins: it starts from the Armenian Taurus. It passes through Agdznik, reaches the Agdznik – Osroene border, and goes east. Along the course of the Western Tigris, it is joined by the rivers Kahrid River, Aspakan River, Sanasno Djur River, Arzan River.
At the border of Korchayk – Agdznik – Osroene, it joins the waters of the Eastern Tigris, forming a common channel. The common channel of the Tigris River.
From the point of connection of the streams of the Eastern and Western Tigris to the southern border of Greater Armenia, the Tigris River passes along the entire western border of the historical province of Korchayk (Korchayk – Osroene border) and goes beyond the Armenian Highlands.
The Euphrates River
The Euphrates [topography of the river on the territory of historical Ancient Armenia] is one of the largest rivers in the Armenian Highlands (as well as in Asia Minor). It consists of 2 branches: the Eastern Euphrates (Ancient Armenian – Aratsani) and the Western Euphrates.
Aratsani. Origins: It begins in the southwest of the historical province of Ayrarat. Then, Aratsani flows through Ayrarat and, west of Bagavan, it forms a loop and turns south. It then passes through the northern regions of the historical province of Turuberan (along the border of the Maradakh and Dasnavork regions of the historical province of Turuberan).
In the Taron area, it turns west, passing through the central and western regions of Turuberan. Then it passes through the eastern, southern, and western regions of the historical province of Tsopk. There, on the border of Tsopk and Gamirk, Aratsani merges with the waters of the Western Euphrates.
Western Euphrates. Origins: It begins in the historical province of High Armenia. It goes through all of High Armenia (from east to west), reaches the High Armenia – Gamirk border, and goes south along the border to the border regions of the historical province of Tsopk.
It reaches the middle of the Tsopk – Gamirk border and there it merges with the waters of the Eastern Euphrates (Aratsani). The general course of the Euphrates River: flows along the western border of Greater Armenia (Tsopk border) to the south.
It reaches the Greater Armenia – Lesser Armenia border, northeast of Melitene (Malatya). Right on the border, a river flows into the general course.
It originates from the southern regions of Gamirk, reaches the northern border of Lesser Armenia, goes north through the central regions of Lesser Armenia, reaches the border of Greater Armenia, and there it flows into the general course of Aratsani.
The general course from the center of the Tsopk – Lesser Armenia border goes southeast, reaches the Tsopk – Agdznik border, and turns southwest.
From there, it goes along the Agdznik – Lesser Armenia border to the southwest, passes through the northwest of Osroene to the south, leaves the territory of Osroene. Then the Euphrates River already flows through the territory of historical Assyria.
by Ovanes Tiratsuyan
Translated by Vigen Avetisyan
