Akhuryan (river)

When the Byzantine army arrived in the province of Shirak in 1041, local Armenian nobles (nakharars) assembled together against them under the command of the Pahlavuni general Vahram Pahlavouni. Vahram then selected a body of 30,000 infantry and 20,000 cavalry, forming three divisions, which fought against the Byzantines. A battle ensued in which the invaders were routed. The fighting was so ferocious that the effusion of blood flowing into the Akhurian River is said to have coloured its waters completely red. The Byzantines left 21,000 dead behind. This victory allowed Vahram along with Catholicos Petros Getadardz to crown Gagik II king of Armenia and subsequently take the fortress of Ani, which had been in the hands of Vest Sarkis. == Bridges ==

Several medieval bridges once existed over the Akhuryan. The bridge at Ani may date back to the Bagratuni dynasty. More likely it dates to the thirteenth century. An inscription found nearby said that building work on the approach to the bridge was done in the early fourteenth century. The bridge's single arch has fallen, leaving only tall abutments that were perhaps part of a fortified gate. Nineteenth-century travelers reported a guardhouse next to the bridge, but this has since disappeared. == Notes ==