Urartu

In this episode, we explore Urartu, the powerful Iron Age kingdom that flourished in the Armenian Highlands from the ninth to the sixth centuries BC. Centered around Lake Van and known to its inhabitants as the Kingdom of Van, Urartu emerged as a major rival to the Neo-Assyrian Empire, building an organized state supported by fortified cities, advanced irrigation networks, agriculture, and sophisticated metalworking. We examine its distinctive Urartian language and cuneiform inscriptions, the diverse populations that lived within the kingdom, and the possible presence of proto-Armenian speakers. The episode also looks at Urartian religion, monumental architecture, and impressive stone fortresses, as well as the kingdom’s eventual decline amid the rise of new regional powers. Finally, we consider Urartu’s influence on later Armenian culture and architecture, archaeological and genetic research into its inhabitants, and its enduring importance within Armenian history and national heritage.