The Tomb of Vardan Mamikonian on the Khoy Plain

The tomb of Vardan Mamikonian on the Khoy plain, Iran.

Vardan Mamikonian was an Armenian military commander, prince, national hero and saint of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He led the Armenian uprising against Sasanian Iran, which sought to impose the Zoroastrian religion. By inflicting heavy losses on the enemy, the Armenians were able to defend their right to remain Christian. He was born in 393 in Artashat.

The photograph shows a partly ruined domed building of stone and brick. More than ten men stand and sit in front of it, most wearing tall dark hats; 2 horses stand on the right.