Dilgam ismailov

Qabala was the capital city of Albania. Claudius Ptolemy, who 
lived in the II century B.C., mentioned Qabala and Shamakha 
among 29 cities of Albania. The cities of Albania were adminis-
trative, economic, cultural and ideological centers of the state. 
Rome
turned into the most powerful state in the Mediter-
ranean basin and under the leadership of the warlord Lucullus 
the Roman troops moved eastward, thus creating a danger for 
the South Caucasus in the II century B.C. The Roman warlord 
Pompey decided to attack Albania and Iberia. The Romans wanted 
to capture the Caspian Sea coasts and trade route linking India with 
the Black Sea coasts and passing through Albania. As the 
temperature fell Pompey decided to spend the winter in the valley 
of the Kur. Oroys –the king of Albania decided to attack the 
camp of the Romans crossing the Kur. Plutarch wrote that the 
Albanians’ army consisted of 40,000 warriors in that battle.
There was a bloody battle on the bank of River Kur in 
December, 66 B.C. The Roman army won that battle. Pompey 
made peace with the Albanians and moved towards Iberia. 
Chasing the Romans the Albanians had created a dangerous 
situation for them. That's why Pompey marched against the 

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Albanians again in 65 B.C. The Albanians met the Roman 
army nearby the river of Alazan (Ganix). Plutarch wrote that 
King Oroys’ brother Kozis led the Albanian army which 
consisted of 60 thousand infantrymen and 12 thousand cavalry. 
The main strength of the Albanian army was cavalry, while the 
Romans’ was infantry. Pompey used cunning. Before the 
beginning of the war he brought out a small cavalry squadron, and 
ordered the infantry to hide behind. The Albanians thought that 
they face only a small Roman squadron. That's why they immedia-
tely attacked. Pompey’s craft was successful. Retreating, the Ro-
mans led the Albanians with them. Then the Roman infantry sur-
rounded the Albanian cavalry and began to exterminate them. 
One of the antique authors Appian writes that even women 
fought against the Romans. The courage of the Albanian women 
surprised the Romans a lot. After the war the main Albanian forces 
headed by the king Oroys retreated to the mountains. Oroys sent a 
letter and gifts to Pompey and offered peace. Pompey accepted 
this offer. Shortly after, Pompey moved towards inland of the 
country. But the Albanians put up a strong resistance. Being aware 
of the risk of continuing the march and hardship of the path, 
Pompey gave up his intention to go to the Caspian coast. He came 
to an agreement of peace with the Albanians. 
The Romans organized a new big march to the East again