Tigranocerta, Archaeological site near Silvan, Turkey.
Tigranocerta is an ancient city and archaeological site in Diyarbakır Province, Turkey, located along the Tigris River. The settlement spreads across several overlapping layers and includes remains of walls, residential quarters, and public buildings that developed over centuries.
Tigranes the Great founded the city in 83 BCE as a new capital for his Armenian kingdom and relocated people from twelve conquered cities to settle here. Roman forces captured the settlement about 14 years later and ended its brief period as a political center.
The name Tigranocerta means "city of Tigranes" and honors the Armenian king who founded it. Visitors today see traces of different architectural traditions that show how several cultures met at this site and blended their building styles together.
Excavations focus on well-preserved sections of the fortifications, while agricultural fields cover large parts of the former urban area. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and keep in mind that many structures remain buried underground and are not visible.
During the Roman siege, a royal palace with a hunting park housing numerous exotic animals was discovered. Soldiers killed the animals during the fighting, which documented the wealth and unusual collections the city maintained.
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