Urban Developments in Roman Iberia
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Urban Developments in Roman Iberia Irina Demetradze-Renz, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Faculty of Arts and Sciences Ilia State University Tbilisi, Georgia Urban Centers in Roman Iberia Dzalisa Mtskheta Armazi 2 Armazi-Harmozice and Tsitsamuri- Seusamora Tsitsamuri-Seusamora Two Fortivied Cities of Iberia Mentioned by Strabo The passes from Armenia into Iberia are the defiles on the Cyrus and those on the Aragus. For, before the two rivers meet, they have on their banks fortified cities that are situated upon rocks, these being about sixteen stadia distant from each Armazi- other – I mean Harmozice on Harmozice the Cyrus and Seusamora on the other river. These passes were used first by Pompey when he set out from the country of the Armenians, and afterwards by Canidius’ (Strabo XI, III, 5). Armazi City Walls Round Structure Remnants from Tsitsamuri Site Column Hall Armazi City-Site City Walls Column Hall Armazi Bath-House City-Site Bath-House City Walls Column Hall Cistern Temple Armazi City Walls Construction Techniques The Vespasian Inscription Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus, pontifex maximus, holding the tribunician power for the seventh time, imperator for the fourteenth time, consul for the sixth time, and designated for the seventh, father of the fatherland, censor and imperator Titus Caesar, son of Augustus, holding the tribunician power for the fifth time, consul for thefourthtimeanddesignatedforthe fifth, censor, and Domitianus Caesar, son of Augustus, consul for the third time and designated for the fourth, for Caesar and Roman loving king of the Iberians, Mithridates, son of King Pharasmanes, and Amazaspus and for his people fortified the city walls. Mud Brick Walls in Armazi 11 Roman Cistern in Armazi 12 Roman Bath-Houses in Armazi Roman Type Temple in Armazi Dzalisa City-Site Public (?) Swiming Pool Dzalisa Mosaic The Remains of Houses in Mtskheta 17 Roman Composite Orders from Mtskheta 18 Writing Instruments from Mtskheta Inkwell, pen box, calamus 19 Standardized Roman Construction Techniques and Style Roman Brick Opus Reticulatum Radial Arch Heating Pipes 20 Roman Bath-House Inscriptions in Armazi To the daughter of Armenian King Vologezes and wife of Iberian King Amazasp was given this bath-house by Anagranes The royal housekeeper built the bath-house water pipes for the Queen Drakontis. Artisan Guild I am Alfa and Omega.. made by Achileus, the (head) of builders Aureli Acholis artisan and architect ... reinforce the wall ... the ultimate memory. Arspakores The Aureli Acholis Epitaph Aureli Acholis artisan and architect rests here with his wife Bevrazuria. I ask friends and passers by to keep an eye that before 10 000 (years) no one would damage (the grave) or no one would want to be buried with us, does not matter our relative, or stranger (and if such a thing happens) he will be The Aureli Acholis Inscription responsible after his resurrection 22 Inscribed Seals/Finger-Rings Karpak * Zevakh my love Asparug Pitiakhsh 23 Thank You 24.