The Temple of Garni, standing proudly as the sole surviving Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia and the former Soviet Union, continues to be shrouded in historical mystery. While its exact origins are still a subject of debate, it is most likely that the temple was constructed in 77 AD, during the reign of Tiridates I.
This Armenian monarch, who had been crowned by the Roman emperor Nero eleven years earlier, is believed to have been instrumental in the temple's construction.
The tale goes that Nero, in a gesture of goodwill, sent Tiridates back to Armenia with a group of Roman craftsmen and substantial resources, which were used to build the fortified city of Garni and its central temple. This temple was dedicated to the ancient Armenian Sun God, Mihr.
Support for the Tiridates theory partially rests on a Greek inscription found near the site, which references the completion of a significant construction project in 77 AD. Nevertheless, some scholars debate whether this evidence is sufficient to conclusively confirm the theory.
What is indeed remarkable is that the Temple of Garni remains standing to this day. It not only survived a destructive earthquake in 1679 but also withstood the wave of Christianization that swept through Armenia in the 4th century. During this period, King Tiridates III's regime ordered the destruction of most pagan temples, making the temple's survival even more enigmatic.
To this day, the temple continues to be a captivating enigma, drawing over 135,000 visitors each year who come to admire its historical significance and architectural grandeur.
By Historic Vids.
READ MORE: The Oldest Photo of the Acropolis: A Glimpse into Athens’ Past.
