Communication Network of the Ararat Plain, Armenia: Geographical, Economic, Political Dimensions (1st Millennium BC – 1st Millennium AD)

Zardaryan, Mkrtich H. · 2025

Zardaryan reconstructs the road system of the Ararat Plain across two millennia, arguing that the valley's role as the economic hub of the Armenian Highlands was set by geography: its river lines and accessible passes channelled traffic along south-north and east-west axes. With the consolidation of statehood under Urartu the trade-route system expanded sharply, and was inherited and extended by the Ervandid, Artaxian and Arsacid kingdoms; from the sixth century BC these routes integrated into networks reaching the Near East, Central Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean. Narrative, archaeological and numismatic evidence confirms their incorporation into the Silk Road. His clinching illustration: five of the six capitals of Classical and Early Medieval Armenia sit in the Ararat Plain.

Citation checked against the publisher's record on 2026-07-13.