Anahit

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A cast bronze head (2nd/1st century BC, or mid-4th century BC), larger than life-size, once belonging to a statue. It was found in the 19th century near Satala, located close to the Armenian district of Yerznka. It is usually interpreted as representing either Anahit or Aphrodite. Now held in the British Museum.

Anahit was the goddess of fertility and birth (analog to Aphrodite), beauty and water in Armenian mythology. In early periods she was the goddess of war. By the 1st century BC she was the main deity in Armenia along with Mithras.

Anahit's worship, most likely borrowed from the Iranians during the Medes invasion or the early Achaemenid period, was of paramount significance in Armenia. The historian Berossus identifies Anahit with Aphrodite, while medieval Armenian scribes identify her with Artemis. According to Strabo, Anahit's worship was dedicated to prostitution, while king Trdat extolls the: great Lady Anahit, the glory of our nation and vivifier . . .; mother of all chastity, and issue of the great and valiant Aramazd. Anahit-worship was established in Eriza, Armavir, Artashat and Ashtishat. A mountain in Sophene district was known as Anahit's throne (Athor Anahta). The entire district of Eriza, the Akilisene (Ekeghiats), was called Anahtakan Gavar.

Commemorative coin issued by the Central Bank of Armenia devoted to Goddess Anahit

The temple of Eriza was the wealthiest and the noblest in Armenia, according to Plutarch. During the expedition of Mark Antony in Armenia, the statue was broken to pieces by the Roman soldiers. Pliny the Elder gives us the following story about it: The Emperor Augustus, being invited to dinner by one of his generals, asked him if it were true that the wreckers of Anahit's statue had been punished by the wrathful goddess. No! answered the general, on the contrary, I have to‑day the good fortune of treating you with one part of the hip of that gold statue. The Armenians erected a new golden statue of Anahit in Eriza, which was worshiped before the time of St. Gregory Illuminator. Religious prostitution, if it had existed at some previous period, seems to have been suppressed before that date. The annual festivity of the month Navasard, held in honor of Anahit, was the occasion of great gatherings, attended with dance, music, recitals, competitions, etc. The sick went to the temples in pilgrimage, asking for recovery. The symbol of ancient heathen Armenian medicine was the head of the bronze gilded statue of the goddess Anahit, which is nowadays kept in the British Museum.

See also

• Anahita
• Aramazd
• Astghik
• Vahagn
• Haik

External links and references

• [1]Vahagni Tsnunde Vishapakax
• [2] Armenian Mythology from the Tour Armenia site.
• [3] Armenian History site.

• This article incorporates text from History of Armenia by Vahan M. Kurkjian, a publication in the public domain.