---
title: Temple of Garni
author: James Blake Wiener
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Garni/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Temple of Garni

_Authored by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/)_

The [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of Garni (Armenian: “*Garnu tacar*”) is located in the village of Garni in Kotayk Province, [Armenia](https://www.worldhistory.org/armenia/), and it was once a pagan temple dedicated to the Armenian sun [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) Mihr. Built in the middle of the 1st century CE, the Temple of Garni remarkably survived the destruction of pagan temples following Armenia's conversion to [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/) in the 4th century CE, and countless invasions and earthquakes until its collapse in 1679 CE. After continuous excavations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries CE, the Temple of Garni was reconstructed between 1969-1975 CE. Today, it is the only free-standing Greco-[Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) structure in Armenia and seen by many as a potent symbol of Armenia's classical past as well as its deep historical ties to the civilizations of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) and [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/).

### History of the Temple

The Temple of Garni is situated in a very strategic location, on a cliff, overlooking a range of the Geghama mountains as well as the Azat River near the Ararat Plain. Located 30 km (19 mi) from Yerevan, the Temple of Garni is quite near [Geghard](https://www.worldhistory.org/Geghard/) Monastery, which is only 11 km (7 mi) up the Azat River, and not too far from the ancient capital of [Artashat](https://www.worldhistory.org/Artashat/). The site was inhabited in prehistoric times, and there is evidence that it was also used by the Urartians between the 8th-6th centuries BCE.

Although the historical record concerning the Temple of Garni is limited, it seems probable that the temple was first constructed upon the orders of King Tiridates I of Armenia (r. 52-58 CE; 62-88 CE) sometime around 70-80 CE. This stands in contradiction to the opinion of the great Armenian historian [Movses Khorenatsi](https://www.worldhistory.org/Movses_Khorenatsi/) who attributed the Temple of Garni's construction to Tiridates the Great (r. 287 CE - c. 330 CE) - Armenia's first Christian king - in the 3rd century CE. Other academics contend that it was not a temple but rather a former [tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/) to one of the pro-Roman kings of Armenia who lived in the 2nd century CE. This argument is sustained by the structural similarities between Garni and several mausolea in [Asia Minor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/).

Tiridates I is primarily remembered in Armenian history for his visit to Naples and Rome in order to meet Emperor [Nero](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nero/) (r. 54-68 CE) in 66 CE. The founder of the [Arsacid dynasty of Armenia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Arsacid_Dynasty_of_Armenia/) (52-428 CE), Tiridates I was a skilled diplomat, devout Zoroastrian, and lover of the arts. Although the Roman historian [Tacitus](https://www.worldhistory.org/tacitus/) claimed that Tiridates I was interested in all things Roman (Tacitus, *Annals* 15.5), it is more likely that Tiridates' exposure to and interest in Greco-Roman [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) was deeply rooted given the fact that his mother was [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) and that he spoke Greek fluently. Curiously, Tacitus references the Temple of Garni, denoting it as the “Castellum Gorneae.”

[ ![Side View of Garni Temple in Armenia](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/7386.jpg?v=1618568123) Side View of Garni Temple in Armenia James Blake Wiener (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7386/side-view-of-garni-temple-in-armenia/ "Side View of Garni Temple in Armenia")A Greek inscription uncovered by Martiros Saryan in 1945 CE at the Temple of Garni suggests that Tiridates I was the patron and founder of Garni Temple, but there are many possible interpretations and readings of this inscription. One interpretation cited by Dr. Vrej Nersessian translates the inscription as the following:

> The Sun God Tiridates, uncontested king of Great Armenia built the temple and the impregnable fortress in the eleventh year of his reign when Mennieay was hazarapet \[thousander, chiliarch\] and Amateay was sparapet \[general, commander\]. (103)

The area surrounding the Temple of Garni functioned as a royal garrison and military fortress in ancient and medieval times. It was later surrounded by [Roman baths](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Baths/) dating from the 4th century CE in addition to a four-apsed church and a single-naved church, which both date from the 7th century CE. There remains considerable academic debate as to whether Garni functioned as a summer [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) as well in Late Antiquity. Researchers are in agreement that there was also an immense defensive [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) constructed of monolithic stones rather than mortar, which was built perhaps in the 1st century BCE. Many *khachkars* (memorial stele with a cross) are located beside the Temple of Garni. An Urartian [cuneiform](https://www.worldhistory.org/cuneiform/) stone relating the [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) of the area surrounding Garni and dating to the reign of Argishti I (r. 785-763 BCE) is also positioned close to the temple.

After Armenia became Christian in the early 4th century CE, the Temple of Garni was spared thanks to the intercession of Princess Khosrovdoukht who was the sister of Tiridates the Great. At the time, Tiridates led a concerted effort to systematically destroy all of Armenia's ancient pagan temples. Due to its strategic importance, the area around the Temple of Garni was subjected to multiple invasions by Romans, Persians, Arabs, Byzantines, Turks, and the [Mongols](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mongol_Empire/). The temple itself was repeatedly violated, and today visitors can see Arabic graffiti, which dates from the 9th-10th centuries CE.

[ ![Arabic Graffiti at the Temple of Garni](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/7381.jpg?v=1617976802) Arabic Graffiti at the Temple of Garni James Blake Wiener (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7381/arabic-graffiti-at-the-temple-of-garni/ "Arabic Graffiti at the Temple of Garni")The Ottoman Turks raided the environs of Garni in 1638 CE during the Ottoman–Safavid [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) of 1623–39 CE, causing much destruction. Following a catastrophic [earthquake](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/earthquake/) in 1679 CE, the Temple of Garni collapsed and was left in ruins for hundreds of years. It was only in the late 19th century CE that archaeologists began to explore the site, and it was Nikoraios Mar who took the initiative to amass and safeguard the stones of the fallen temple between 1909-1911 CE in the hopes of one day resurrecting the temple. [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/) Sarhinyan oversaw the restoration of the Temple of Garni between 1969-1975 CE while Armenia was under the control of the Soviet Union.

### [Architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/)

The Temple of Garni is the sole surviving pagan temple in Armenia and the only classical structure still standing in the country. Built on a podium, the temple is peripteral and oriented to the north. It is constructed of gray basalt that was quarried from the vicinity of Garni. The temple has 24 Ionic columns, which are 6.54 m (21.5 ft) high. Six are located in the front and the back parts of the temple, and eight on the sides. Some researchers believe that the columns originally came from Asia Minor and that they could symbolize the 24 [hours](https://www.worldhistory.org/Horae/) of a day. The *cella* is about 7 m (23 ft) high, 8 m (26 ft) long, and 5 m (17 ft) wide. As it can only hold about 20-25 people inside, many historians and archaeologists believe it originally held a statue, perhaps of the sun god Mihr or [Helios](https://www.worldhistory.org/Helios/).

[ ![Ionic Columns at Temple of Garni](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/7382.jpg?v=1751874605) Ionic Columns at Temple of Garni James Blake Wiener (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7382/ionic-columns-at-temple-of-garni/ "Ionic Columns at Temple of Garni")The equilibrium of elegant proportionality lends the Temple of Garni a concurrent impression of power and harmony. The temple is superbly decorated in the imperial Roman style. The architectural elements offer, however, certain variations that one recognizes in certain sculpted motifs, those representing lions in particular. The capitals themselves are singular; none are exactly identical with another. The friezes are dominated by acanthus leaves, which are sometimes mixed with laurels, oak leaves, and pomegranate trees.

The Roman baths found next to the Temple of Garni are built from brick and Armenian tuff (volcanic stone). They conform to the traditional layout found across the former [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) and the Caucasus and are elegantly decorated with mosaics depicting mythological scenes.

 This article was made possible with generous support from the [National Association for Armenian Studies and Research](https://naasr.org/?utm_source=ancient.eu&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=ancient.eu) and the Knights of Vartan Fund for Armenian Studies.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [Armenia and Iran. The pre-Islamic period - Encyclopaedia Iranica](http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/armenia-ii "Armenia and Iran. The pre-Islamic period - Encyclopaedia Iranica"), accessed 17 Apr 2018.
- [Garni - Armenian Monuments and Awareness Project](http://www.armenianheritage.org/en/monument/Garni "Garni - Armenian Monuments and Awareness Project"), accessed 17 Apr 2018.
- [Garni Temple -- Virtual 360°](https://360stories.com/yerevan/place/garni-temple "Garni Temple -- Virtual 360°"), accessed 19 Mar 2020.
- [Temple of Garni - Fresno State University](http://fresnostate.edu/artshum/armenianstudies/resources/garni.html "Temple of Garni - Fresno State University"), accessed 17 Apr 2018.
- [What’s an Ancient Roman Temple Doing in Armenia?](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/whats-ancient-roman-temple-doing-armenia-1-180967756/ "What’s an Ancient Roman Temple Doing in Armenia?"), accessed 19 Mar 2020.
- [Alekseev, V.P. et al. *Contributions to the Archaeology of Armenia.* Peabody Museum, 1968.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B005VTV2FW/)
- Gasparyan, Z. and Girard, M. *Chaleureuse Arménie.* Publibook, 2010, 40-42.
- [Kiesling, J.B. *Rediscovering Armenia/Touristic Gazetteer and Map Set for the Historical Monuments..* Tigran Mets, 2001, 50-52.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/9993052280/)
- [Nersessian, V. *Treasures from the Ark.* Oxford University Press, 2001, 100-103.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0892366397/)

## About the Author

James Blake Wiener has a particular interest in cross-cultural exchange and world history. He is a co-founder of World History Encyclopedia and formerly was its Communications Director.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener)

## Timeline

- **63 CE - c. 88 CE**: Reign of Tiridates I in [Armenia](https://www.worldhistory.org/armenia/).
- **70 CE - 80 CE**: Probable construction date of the [Temple of Garni](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Garni/) in [Armenia](https://www.worldhistory.org/armenia/).
- **c. 298 CE - c. 330 CE**: Reign of Armenian king Tiridates the Great.
- **1679 CE**: The [Temple of Garni](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Garni/) collapses following an [earthquake](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/earthquake/).
- **1969 CE - 1975 CE**: Reconstruction of the [Temple of Garni](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Garni/).

## Cite This Work

### APA
Wiener, J. B. (2018, April 17). Temple of Garni. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple\_of\_Garni/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Garni/)
### Chicago
Wiener, James Blake. "Temple of Garni." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 17, 2018. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple\_of\_Garni/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Garni/).
### MLA
Wiener, James Blake. "Temple of Garni." *World History Encyclopedia*, 17 Apr 2018, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple\_of\_Garni/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Temple_of_Garni/).

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/ "User Page: James Blake Wiener"), published on 17 April 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.