Aghdzk Explained

40.3164°N 44.2536°W

Official Name:Aghdzk
Native Name:Աղձք
Pushpin Map:Armenia#Aragatsotn
Mapsize:150px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Armenia
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Aragatsotn
Subdivision Type2:Municipality
Subdivision Name2:Ashtarak
Population As Of:2008
Population Total:1,785
Utc Offset:+4
Coordinates:40.3164°N 44.2536°W
Elevation M:1260

Aghdzk (Armenian: Աղձք) is a village in the Ashtarak Municipality of the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. It is home to the Arshakid Mausoleum, a large grave monument complex and basilica of the 4th to 5th centuries. King Shapur II of Persia exhumed the bones of the Armenian kings and took them to Persia symbolically taking Armenia's power. When Sparapet Vassak Mamikonian defeated the Persians and reclaimed the bones of the Arshakuni monarchs, he buried them at Aghdzk. Remains of the monuments and the basilica may still to be seen.

Aghdzk is the birthplace of Catholicos Komitas I of Armenia (6th century-628).

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