What is "arsamosata"

Arsamosata was a city in Armenian Sophene near the Euphrates. It was founded by King Arsames I of the Orontid Dynasty in the 3rd century BC. It was left and destroyed in the 1st century BC. In the Middle Ages it was called Ashmushat.

The city has been identified with the modern Kharput ( Elazığ) . It has also been identified as the abandoned settlement site known as Haraba, located some 60 km east of Elazig. Much of that site now lies submerged under the waters of the Keban dam. It is not to be confused with Samosata.