Introduction

This is a short history of a civilisation which was rediscovered in recent times on the eastern shores of Lake Van in what is now Eastern Turkey. It bears the familiar, Biblical name of Ararat — the Kingdom of Ararat (Jeremiah LI.27) or, in Assyrian, Urartu. Its native name was Biaini. The documented history of Urartu begins in 1275 BC, and ends early in the sixth century BC, with the retreat of its aristocracy into the southern strongholds of the Caucasus, under the onslaught of the Medes and Armenians.