Urartu, also known as the Kingdom of Urartu or the Kingdom of Van, was a civilization which developed in the Bronze and Iron Age of ancient Armenia, eastern Turkey, and northwestern Iran from the 9th century BCE. Controlling territories through military might and the construction of fortresses, the kingdom boasted a lively production in the arts, especially metalwork. Surviving only two centuries, the kingdom mysteriously disappeared in the 6th century BCE and was only rediscovered as a distinct and recognisable ancient culture by excavations carried out in the 19th century CE.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 1500 BCE - c. 1200 BCEThe Hayasa-Azzi confederation flourishes in ancient Turkey and Armenia.
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c. 900 BCE - c. 590 BCEThe Urartu civilization flourishes in ancient Armenia, eastern Turkey and western Iran.
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c. 860 BCE - 840 BCEReign of Arame, the first named king of the Urartu civilization.
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c. 835 BCE - 825 BCEReign of Sarduri I, king of the Urartu civilization and founder of the capital Tushpa.
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c. 810 BCE - 785 BCEReign of Menua, king of the Urartu civilization.
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c. 785 BCE - 760 BCEReign of Argishti I, king of the Urartu civilization.
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c. 782 BCEThe fortress of Erebuni is constructed in ancient Armenia.
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c. 780 BCEArgishti I, king of the Urartu civilization, campaigns against the Hatti and Dsopk.
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776 BCEArgishti I, king of the Urartu civilization, founds the city of Argishtihinili (Armavir).
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c. 760 BCE - 743 BCEReign of Sarduri II, king of the Urartu civilization.
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c. 743 BCETiglath Pileser III's conquest of the Kingdom of Urartu.
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736 BCEAssyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III attacks Tushpa, capital of Urartu.
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719 BCE - 717 BCEBorder wars between Assyria and the Kingdom of Urartu.
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714 BCESargon II's Urartu Campaign, Urartu defeated.
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c. 685 BCE - 645 BCEReign of Rusa II, king of the Urartu civilization.
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c. 685 BCERusa II, king of the Urartu civilization, founds the city of Teishebaini.
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594 BCE - 590 BCEThe Urartu city of Teishebaini is sacked and destroyed by fire.
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585 BCEThe Erebuni fortress in ancient Armenia is occupied by the Median Empire.
