Rare Goddess Anahit Statue to be Unveiled in Yerevan for the First Time

In an agreement between the Museum of the History of Armenia and the British Museum, the esteemed head of the state of Goddess Anahit, currently housed in the British Museum, will be unveiled in Yerevan for the first time in September 2024. This momentous event brings an ancient relic back to its roots, reviving the worship of Goddess Anahit that has deep roots in the Armenian Highlands, intricately linked with the glorification of motherhood.

The focal point of Anahit worship was the main temple located in Yeriza town in Upper Armenia. Unfortunately, the temple fell victim to plunder in 34 B.C. during the invasion led by the Roman general Mark Antony. In a tragic turn of events, the colossal golden statue of Anahit was shattered by Antony's soldiers and transported to Rome.

Legend has it that the first soldier who dared to attack the sacred statue faced a series of misfortunes, including blindness, madness, and ultimately death.

The artifacts, now housed in the British Museum, were discovered at the end of the 19th century in Yerznka by a local peasant during routine farming activities. Under mysterious circumstances, the relics of the statue found their way to England, while a faithful replica remains preserved in the Museum of the History of Armenia.

This unprecedented exhibition not only marks a cultural milestone for Armenia but also serves as a poignant reunion between the cherished relic and the land where the worship of Goddess Anahit has flourished since ancient times. As preparations unfold for the grand display, anticipation builds for the moment when Yerevan welcomes the sacred head of Goddess Anahit back to its ancestral home.