Arran and Berde’s Position in Medieval Caucasian Trade Routes

Abstract

While the region was dominated by the Sassanites before the arrival of the Arabs and the name was called Albania, later it was called the Arran. Turks of Azerbaijan pronounce this region as “Aran” at the present time. Due to the economic and political characteristics of the Caucasus since 6th century, Berde which attracted attention to the region and world was declared the capital of Arran. We encounter interesting data about Berde’s name in the sources. The oldest known name was “Harum”. Then a city is built in the name of Uti province and it is called “Guti”. Mostly Armenian historians called “Parta” by changing the name in order to make it Armenian. In addiation, there are also names such as “Basuka”, “Berida”, “Berze”, “Berdah”, “Berdos”, “Berdaa” in some sources. Although exposed to a variety of changes over time, the Berda was able to protect the name. The Berde, which developed in the political, cultural and economic in the medieval Azerbaijan cities, especially shining in the 6th century, has become a popular place for everyone in a short time. The Berde resembles a rose garden, with ground and underground wealthies, fresh air, fertile land, abundant water, various fruits and flowers. The value provided by Berde to the Arran or Caucasian trade routes is fixed in medieval sources.

Özet

Bölge Araplar gelmeden önce Sâsaniler’in hâkimiyetinde olup, ismi Albanya diye anılıyorken, daha sonra Arran denilmeye başlandı. Azerbaycan Türklerigünümüzde bu bölgeyi “Aran” şeklinde telaffuz etmektedir. VI. yüzyıldan itibaren Kafkasya’nın iktisadi ve siyasi özelliklerini taşıması nedeniyle, bölgenin ve dünyanın dikkatini üzerine çeken Berde, Arran’ın başkenti ilan edilmiştir. Berde’nin ismi ile ilgili kaynaklarda değişik isimlerle karşılaşıyoruz. Bilinen en eski ismi “Hârum” idi. Daha sonra Uti eyaletinin adına bir şehir yaptırılır ve adına “Guti” denir. En çok Ermeni tarihçileri Ermenileştirmek amacıyla ismini değiştirerek “Parta” demişlerdir. Bunun dışında bazı kaynaklarda“Basuka”, “Beride”, “Berze”, “Berdah”, “Berdos”, “Berdaa” vb. gibi isimler de geçmektedir. Zamanla çeşitli değişikliklere maruz kalsa da, günümüzde ilkin Berde ismini koruyabilmiştir. Ortaçağ Azerbaycan şehirleri içerisinde siyasi, kültürel ve iktisadi yönden gelişen, özellikle V. yüzyılda yıldızı parlayan Berde, kısa zamanda herkesin uğrak yeri olmuştur. Berde, yer üstü ve yer altı zenginlikleri, saf havası, bereketli toprağı, bol suyu, çeşitli meyveleri ve ıtır kokan çiçekleri ile bir gülistanı andırıyor. Konumu itibariyle ister Arran isterse de Kafkas ticaret yollarına sağladığı değer Ortaçağ kaynaklarınca sabittir.