Artaxata (Arm. Ardashad), an ancient city on the Araxes, capital of Armenia, 68 m. S. S. E. of Erivan. It was built under the direction of Hannibal while a refugee at the court of Artaxias, after whom it was named. In A. D. 58 it was destroyed with fire by the Roman general Corbulo, but rebuilt by Tiridates, who called it Neronia. In 370 it was taken by the Persians, who partially destroyed it and carried into captivity most of its inhabitants. In 450 a famous council was held here, at which the patriarch Joseph presided.