---
title: Ancient Smbataberd Castle
author: James Blake Wiener
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7670/ancient-smbataberd-castle/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Ancient Smbataberd Castle

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

## Image File

[![Ancient Smbataberd Castle](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7670.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7670.jpg)

## Image Caption

The ancient Smbataberd Castle (or "fortress") is located near the villages of Artabuynk and Yeghegis in the Vayots Dzor Province of [Armenia](https://www.worldhistory.org/armenia/). It is guarded by a long stretch of walls, which are 2-3 m (7-9 ft) thick and 8-10 m (26-33 ft) high, and a series of round towers. While first mentioned during the 5th century CE in connection to [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) between Armenians and the [Sasanian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sasanian_Empire/) Persians. Its heyday occurred while it was under the control of the princes of Syunik in the 9-11th century CE.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image 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/).

## 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)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Wiener, J. B. (2017, November 21). Ancient Smbataberd Castle. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7670/ancient-smbataberd-castle/>
### Chicago
Wiener, James Blake. "Ancient Smbataberd Castle." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 21, 2017. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7670/ancient-smbataberd-castle/>.
### MLA
Wiener, James Blake. "Ancient Smbataberd Castle." *World History Encyclopedia*, 21 Nov 2017, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7670/ancient-smbataberd-castle/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/ "User Page: James Blake Wiener"), published on 21 November 2017. 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.