The period of the major territorial extension coincides with the reigns
of Argishti I and his son Sarduri II, since 785 to 730 (before this Era).
The frontiers of the kingdom extended beyond the north of the Araxes, where
they dethroned Utururshi, leader of Diaveh (current Georgia). In the south,
around 766 (before this Era), the armies of Urartu under the commandment
of Argishti I penetrated Assyria and reached the area outside its capital,
Nineveh. During the following reign, Sarduri II advanced directly through
the current Kurdistan, and also annexed the coasts of lake Urmia. The governors
of Melitene (Malatya) and Kummukh (Comagena), in the south of Anatolia,
were reduced to the status of vassals, ensuring the free pass of the Urartians
to the mediterranean coasts.
The reaction came after the ascent of the energetic assyrian conqueror
Tiglath-Pileser III (745 – 727 before this Era). This monarch began
his reign with a series of campaigns against Urartu. The Urartians were
defeated in Arpad, in the riverbank of the Euphrates, in the north of Syria
and the contiguous regions. In year 736 (before this Era) Tiglath-Pileser
III came to the doors of Tushpa (Van) and submitted the city to a long
and unsuccessful siege. The assyrian must retire, after build as a challenge
sign, a statue of their monarch in front of the walls of Van.
The kingdom of Urartu survived to the falling of its powerful and constant
political rival, the assyrian empire, when in 612 (before this Era) Nineveh
was destroyed by the united forces of Babylon, the Medos and the Escites
from the north.
The fact that Urartu survived is evidenced in Babylonian inscriptions from
609 and 605 (before this Era). In part of the book of Jeremiah, dated 594
(before this Era), Urartu is still mentioned as enemy of Babylon, but these
were its last years of existence. Around 590 (before this Era) was invaded
by Medos, Escites and Cimmerios. |