Gordyene

Gordyene is a historical geography, estimated to have been inhabited by Kurds, mentioned in ancient Greek and Latin sources along with the names Kardukhia and Corduene (Carduene); in sources, it is often cited alongside neighboring region names such as Arzanene and Adiyabene (Volume 1, p. 17).

Naming and discussions

In sources dealing with pre-Islamic Kurdish history, this region is not read in isolation; it is read as a whole with the historical geographies of Mardia, Media, Kardukhia (Corduene/Gordyene), Adiyabene, and even Armenia; these geographies concern Kurds both historically and socio-culturally (Volume 1, p. 20). However, the extent to which similar and parallel appellations such as Med, Kardukhia, Corduene, Qardu (Beth Qardu), Korduk, Kordrik, and Korçeyk, found in pre-Islamic sources, are related to Kurds is debatable; drawing direct conclusions by succumbing to the allure of homophonous words with "Kürt" is considered an incorrect method (Volume 1, p. 17). Indeed, there is also a discussion in the literature that Kyrtians and Kardukhians are ethnically different groups (Volume 1, p. 20). The correct interpretation of these appellations is among the fundamental problems faced by researchers attempting to write early Kurdish history; at this point, Armenian sources also hold great importance (Volume 1, p. 22).

Geographical location

Analyses exist in the literature suggesting that the tribe or tribes living in the region were the ancestors of the ancient Kurds, and sources describing this people roughly locate it to the east and northeast of Van Gölü (Volume 1, p. 20). Settlements and routes around the Dicle and Büyük and Küçük Zap rivers are among the sources that illuminate the historical geography of the region (Volume 1, p. 30).

Ancient Greek and Roman sources

The most important ancient references concerning the region come from Greek and Roman writers. Strabon of Amasya (64 BC – 19 AD) wrote his work titled Geographika in Greek (Volume 1, p. 30); in this work, he mentions that the Eretrians were deported by the Persians and settled in Gordyene, a piece of information found only in Strabon and in no other source (Volume 1, p. 31). Plutarch (46–120 AD), known for his comparative biographies, is also among the writers who mention the region (Volume 1, p. 32); in the section describing Lucullus, Gordyene is mentioned again, and here details regarding Gordyene and the Mards, not found in other sources, are present (Volume 1, p. 33). Also in this section, it is stated that in the army of Tigranes, who crossed the Murat Nehri (Arsania) and fought with the Roman army, Iberian spearmen and Mardian archers were deployed (Volume 1, p. 33).

Armenian sources and continuity

Considering the appellations Gordyaene, Corduene/Carduene used for the same or nearby geography during the Roman period, a historical continuity between Kardukhia and Gordyene is observed (Volume 1, p. 26). In Armenian sources, the region is referred to by the names Korçeyk, Korduk, and Kordrik; these names are the Armenian versions of Gordyene or Korduene found in Latin/Greek sources. According to these sources, Korçeyk, which lies to the east of Mokk/Miks (Bahçesaray); encompasses the Korduk and upper, middle, and lower Kordrik regions; is a slightly broader-scale equivalent of Kardukhia and Corduene in classical sources, extending to the north and east (Volume 1, p. 80).