Caucasian Albania: Emergence of early cities

Gabala (Qabala) was the capital of Caucasian Albania from the IV century BCE, distinguished by its rare oval-plan urban layout covering approximately 50 hectares. It featured palace complexes, a temple of the moon goddess Selene, bazaars, and residences of the nobility. The city was recorded by ancient historians Pliny the Elder (“Kabalaka”) and Ptolemy (“Khabala”).

In the 5th century CE, the capital was transferred to Barda (Partava), a city so prominent that Arab geographers frequently referred to it as the "Baghdad of this region".

Advanced urban planning included sophisticated water management systems, defensive fortifications, and public spaces.

The “Northern Route” (Strabo’s route) crossed Azerbaijan from the II-I centuries BCE. An extensive caravanserai network supported merchants, while Shamakhi developed as an international centre of silk production. This was also an intersection point of multiple religions (early Christian Albanian churches and Zoroastrian temples) and trade goods, connecting China, India, Syria, Egypt, Rome, and Arabia.