ABSTRACT
The civilising influence of Ararat was widespread. It reached even such distant peoples (geographically and chronologically) as the Etruscans, the Greeks and the Achaemenid Persians. The nomadic Scythians and Cimmerians and the semi-civilised Iranian states no doubt regarded the Urartian officials and army officers as the representatives of one of the most highly civilised countries; and as prisoners of war, slaves or as soldiers serving in the armies of Ararat, they witnessed the luxurious life led by the aristocracy and the relatively high standard of living of the people in the great Urartian cities and fortresses such as Tushpa, Erebuni, Argishtihinili and Teishebaini.
