Silvan, Turkey
Encyclopedia
Silvan is a district of the Diyarbakır Province
of Turkey
. Its population is 41,451 Notable attraction is Malabadi Bridge
.
. In 69 B.C., a battle
outside the gates of Tigranakert between Tigran and the forces of Republican Rome resulted in the former's defeat, giving a free hand for the Roman army to pillage and partially destroy the city. It lost its importance as a thriving center for trade and Hellenistic culture in the following decades. During the reign of the Arshakuni kings, Tigranakert became the seat of the margrave
(bdeshkh) of the province of Aghdznik'.
In 387 A.D., Tigranakert was made a part of the Byzantine Empire
. In the year 400, its bishop, Marutha (later, saint Maruthas
), brought a large number of relics back from Sassanid Persia. These were the relics of the Persian martyrs from the persecution of Christians in that empire that had barely ended at this point. For this reason it was renamed Martyropolis, "city of the maryrs." Following the reforms of Justinian I
(r. 527-565), it was made the capital of the province of Fourth Armenia. The city was known by the name of Meiafarakin after the Arabs took over this region in the seventh century. It declined in importance over the centuries and had been reduced to a small settlement by the twelfth century.
Diyarbakir Province
Diyarbakır Province is a province in eastern Turkey. The province covers an area of 15,355 km² and the population is 1,528,958. The provincial capital is Diyarbakir...
of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. Its population is 41,451 Notable attraction is Malabadi Bridge
Malabadi Bridge
The Malabadi Bridge is an arch bridge spanning the Batman River near the town of Silvan in southeastern Turkey. It was built between 1146 and 1147 during the Artuk period by Timurtas of Mardin, son of Ilgazi, grandson of Artuk. It was restored in the late twelfth century, and recently in the...
.
History
Silvan has been identified by several scholars as one of two possible locations (the other being Arzan) of Tigranakert, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Armenia, which was built by King Tigran the Great (r. 95-55 B.C.) and named in his honor. It was located in the canton of Np'rkert, which was in the province of Aghdznik'Aghdznik
Aghdznik , also known as Altzniq or Arzanene, was a province of Greater Armenia. It covered an area of , divided into 11 districts:*Angegh-home*Tigranakert*Arzn*Qagh*Ketik*Tatik*Aznvadzor*Erkhetq*Gzeghq*Salnodzor*Sasun....
. In 69 B.C., a battle
Battle of Tigranocerta
The Battle of Tigranocerta was fought on October 6, 69 BC between the forces of the Roman Republic and the army of the Kingdom of Armenia led by King Tigranes the Great. The Roman force was led by Consul Lucius Licinius Lucullus, and Tigranes was defeated...
outside the gates of Tigranakert between Tigran and the forces of Republican Rome resulted in the former's defeat, giving a free hand for the Roman army to pillage and partially destroy the city. It lost its importance as a thriving center for trade and Hellenistic culture in the following decades. During the reign of the Arshakuni kings, Tigranakert became the seat of the margrave
Margrave
A margrave or margravine was a medieval hereditary nobleman with military responsibilities in a border province of a kingdom. Border provinces usually had more exposure to military incursions from the outside, compared to interior provinces, and thus a margrave usually had larger and more active...
(bdeshkh) of the province of Aghdznik'.
In 387 A.D., Tigranakert was made a part of the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
. In the year 400, its bishop, Marutha (later, saint Maruthas
Maruthas
Saint Maruthas or Marutha of Martyropolis was a monk who became bishop of Maypherkat in Mesopotamia for a period beganing before 399 and still in office in 410. He's believed to have died before 420...
), brought a large number of relics back from Sassanid Persia. These were the relics of the Persian martyrs from the persecution of Christians in that empire that had barely ended at this point. For this reason it was renamed Martyropolis, "city of the maryrs." Following the reforms of Justinian I
Justinian I
Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of...
(r. 527-565), it was made the capital of the province of Fourth Armenia. The city was known by the name of Meiafarakin after the Arabs took over this region in the seventh century. It declined in importance over the centuries and had been reduced to a small settlement by the twelfth century.