The old names of Goris are Geryusi,
Gerusi, Goraik, Gores, Hin Kores, Kuris, Korus, Koru, Kuris, Zangizour,
Zankazour, Kyuryus. There are different explanations of the name.
It is supposed that the name comes from the Indo-European prelanguage
words guor-“rock”, es-“to be”, i. e. Goris-
Kyores means a rocky place. There was a dwelling in the ancient
times in the place of the town. The human-being dwelled here since
the Stone Age. Goris is first mentioned in the history since the
Urartian period. Russa 1 king (8th c. B.C.) left cuneiform, where
among the 23 countries conquered by him Goristsa country was also
mentioned. The scientists suppose that it is the same Goris. Artashes
2 king (189-160) had also left the Arame inscription boundary-stone
in Goris.
The dwelling existed also in medieval. It
was situated in the eastern part of the present Goris, on the
left bank of the river Goris. It was called old Goirs and coincided
with one of the villages of Goru and Goraik mentioned by Stepanos
Orbelyan (13th century).
The present spelling of the name was first
mentioned in 1624, in a handwriting by Barsegh Erets. In 17-18th
centuries Melik Husenyans ruled in Goris. In the beginning of
the 19th century on October 13, 1813 according to the Gjulistan
agreement Goris fell under the domination of Czarian Russia. Goris
was developing in the beginning of 1870s. In the result of Czarian
administrative division Goris became the center of Zangezour province.
In 1876 the town of Goris was founded near the Old Goris with
the initiative of the head of Starastky province and recommendation
of Manuchar-Bek Melik Husenyan and the plan designed by a German
architect.
In the end of the 19th and in the beginning
of the 20th century the economical and cultural life of the town
was rather improved. On September 9, 1930 according to the decision
of the Armenian Supreme Council Goris became the administrative
center of Goris district. Goris had a considerable role during
the Artsakh movement. The first meeting took place on February
22. One of the remarkable dates is 1989, when the Syunyats Eparchy
was reopened, and the residence was in Goris.
At present Goris is included in Syunik marz. There is a basalt
monument honouring the victims of paternal war (1941-45) in Goris.
The well-known Armenian writers Axel Bakunts and Sero Khanzadyan,
Gusan (‘national singer’) Ashot, Sevada Bakunts, correspondent
member of Science Academy were born here.
In the 19th century the town had about 1000 inhabitants, in
1897 the number grew up to 2400 and in 1976 it was 17400. |
