Armavir (A 8-14)
An inscription on two non-adjacent stones marks the beginning and end of a much longer text. It was found in the ruins of Armavir and originated from an unknown building. The two stones measure (H x W x D) 58 x 86 x 48 cm and 63 x 88 x 70 cm. They are kept in the Yerevan Historical Museum.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-ni-ni al-su-i-ši-[ni mar-giš-ti-še mmì-nu-a-hi-ni-še … ( big gap ) [mar]-giš-ti-hi-na mʾa-za-ni KUR-ni
2 KI-ni KURlu-lu-e ma-nu i-ú mar-[giš-ti-še … ( big gap ) a-ru-ú-ni šú-ga-ba-ra-a-ni
3 i-na-ni Ú.ŠE ú-šú-ul-mu-uš [… ( big gap ) …]-li-u-a-ni bar-za-ni zi-el-di
4 mar-giš-ti-e mmì-nu-a-hi-ni-[e … ( big gap ) UZU hu-šú DUB-ni-ni-ni e-si-ni
5 20 ku-ur-ni LÚše-e-lu-i-ni-[… ( big gap ) …]-e gu-du-li a-me-li ú-li-ni
6 a-lu-ki a-ma-ni šú-ga-ba-ri [… ( big gap ) x-li?] a-li bi-di áš-ta-nu-la-li
7 a-li ta-a-še a-ma-ni bi-di [… ( big gap ) i-ni te-er-du-li-ni e-si-i
8 ú-ni LÚur-bi-ka-ni-ka-a-i [… ( big gap ) … x]-ú-e tar-a-i-ú-hi ma-nu-li-e
9 lu-a-bi ip-ṭu-ú-ni ma-a-[… ( big gap ) …]-hi-e ú-ni LÚur-bi-i-ka-a-še
10 ma-šá-ni ti-iš-ni a-ma-ni ʾa-[… ( big gap ) …]-li a-li bi-di áš-ta-nu-la-li-e
11 ú-ni LÚpu-ru-nu-ur-da-di [… ( big gap ) …]-li a-li bi-di áš-ta-nu-la-a-li
12 GU4-ni-ni i-ra-di-ni-ni 3 a-[… ( big gap ) LÚše]-lu-ú-i-ni-e ú-ni mnu-nu-li-e
13 a-la-e mì-i ha-i-du-še i-[… ( big gap ) e]-si-ni 2 hu-pa-du LÚše-lu-i-ni-e
Translation:
“Through the greatn[ess] of the god Haldi, Argišti, son of Minua . . .” (rest except for a few words untranslatable).
References:
Nikolsky, M. V. 1896. Klinoobraznye nadpisi Zakavkaz’ia, Materīaly po arkheologīi Kavkaza V, Moskva (No XI, Plt. VIII).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 352–353, v. 3 pp. 229–230, v. 5 pp. 221–222.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007015).
CTU A 8-14= CICh 120 = HchI 98 = UKN 142 = KUKN 193
Image Sources:
M. V. Nikolsky, 1896
M. Salvini, 2008
Sardarapat (A 8-16)
The inscribed rectangular building block was found in 1891, reused in the wall of an olive-oil factory in Sardarapat, about 5 km southwest of Armavir, where it likely originated. The block measures 51 cm in height and 87 cm in width and is in the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-ni-ni al-su-ú-i-ši-ni
2 mar-giš-ti-še mmì-nu-a-hi-ni-še
3 a-li-e É.GAL ba-du-ú-si-i-e
4 ši-i-di-iš-tú-ú-bi te-ru-ú-bi
5 mar-gi-iš-ti-hi-ni-li ti-i-ni
6 qi-ú-ra-a-ni qu-ul-di-ni ma-a-nu
7 ú-i gi-i iš-ti-ni ši-da-ú-ri
8 ÍDmu-na-a-ni 4 ⸢PA5⸣MEŠ a-gu-bi
9 GIŠul-di-e GIŠza-a-ri-e te-ru-bi
10 za-du-bi ar-ni-ši-ni-li iš-ti-ni
11 mar-gi-iš-ti-ni mmì-nu-a-hi
12 MAN DAN-NU MAN al-su-ú-i-ni-e
13 MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-a-ú-e
14 a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a-e URU
Translation:
“(1) Through the greatness of the god Haldi Argišti, son of Minua, says: (5b) I built a fortress to perfection, I gave it the name the Argištinian. The land was deserted, nothing had (ever) been built here (before). (8) From the river I dug four canals, I planted vineyards and orchards I accomplished (great) undertakings here. (11) (I am) Argišti, son of Minua, strong king, great king, king of the Bia lands, lord of Ṭušpa-City.”
References:
König, F. W. 1955. Handbuch der Chaldischen Inschriften, Graz (No. 91).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 354, v. 3 p. 231, v. 5 p. 223.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007017).
CTU A 8-16= CICh 126 = HchI 91 = UKN 137 = KUKN 188
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Kazancı (A 8-25)
A cylindrical stone with a single-line inscription was found in the 19th century in the town of Kazancı, located on the west bank of the Araxes River, about 9 km north of the city of Iğdır. The stone has a diameter of 78 cm and a height of 62 cm, including its base. It is now in the inventory of the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-i-ni-ni al-su-ú-ši-ni mar-gi-iš-ti-i-še mmì-nu-ú-a-hi-ni-[še i-ni] ⸢É⸣ za-du-ni
Translation:
“Through the greatness of the god Haldi Argišti, son of Minua, made [this] building.”
References:
Nikolsky, M. V. 1896. Klinoobraznye nadpisi Zakavkaz’ia, Materīaly po arkheologīi Kavkaza V, Moskva (No IV, Plt. XXXII).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 359, v. 3 p. 238, v. 5 p. 228.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007026).
CTU A 8-25= CICh 122 = HchI 92 = UKN 140 = KUKN 189
Image Sources:
M. V. Nikolsky, 1896
M. Salvini, 2008
Shahriar (A 8-26)
A cylindrical stone inscribed with a single line was found in 1896 in a private house in Šahriar (today Nalbandyan), about 8 km south of Sardarapat. It is made of a bluish rock that forms the hill of Armavir and probably originates from the same building as A 8-25. The stone has a diameter of 77 cm and a height of 66 cm, including the base. It has a hole in the center and several depressions on the top due to secondary use. The stone is in the inventory of the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.
Transliteration:
1 [dhal]-di-i-[ni]-⸢ni⸣ [al]-su-[ú]-i-⸢ši⸣-ni mar-⸢gi⸣-iš-ti-še mmì-[nu]-⸢ú⸣-a-hi-⸢ni⸣-še i-ni [É] za-du-ni
Translation:
“Through the [gr]eatness of the [god Hal]di Argišti, son of Mi[n]ua, made this [building].”
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 359–360, v. 3 p. 239, v. 5 p. 229.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007027).
CTU A 8-26= CICh 123 = HchI 93 = UKN 141 = KUKN 190
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Armavir (A 8-30)
The inscribed basalt slab was found in 1983 during excavations in the Urartian city Argištihinili, located near the old city of Armavir. The slab is in the inventory of the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.
Transliteration:
1 mar-giš-ti-še
2 mmì-nu-a-hi-ni-še
3 i-ni Éʾa-ri šú-u-ni
4 Éa-ši-hu-si-ni pi-i
5 10 LIM 1 ME ka-pi iš-ti-ni
Translation:
“Argišti, son of Minua, filled this silo under the banquet hall(?). 10100 kapi (of grain are) here.”
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 362, v. 3 p. 243, v. 5 p. 231.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007031).
CTU A 8-30 = KUKN 192
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Davti Blur (A 8-39)
The cylindrical column base was found in Davti Blur, located in the western citadel of Argištihinili, near the town of Nor Armavir. The stone has a non-centered rectangular hole. It is unclear whether it remains at the site or has been transported to a museum.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-ni-ni al-su-i-ši-ni mar-gi-iš-ti-še mmì-nu-a-hi-ni-še i-ni É za-du-ni
Translation:
“Through the greatness of the god Haldi Argišti, son of Minua, made this building.”
References:
Martirosyan, A. A. 1974, Argishtikhinili, Yerevan. (in Russian) (Plt. III).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 366, v. 3 p. 247, v. 5 p. 235.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007040).
CTU A 8-28A = KUKN 191
Image Sources:
A. A. Martirosyan, 1974
Armavir (A 9-12)
Two basalt blocks were found in different locations: one in Molla Bayazid (now Bambakashat) and the other in Talish (now Aruch), northwest and north of old Armavir, respectively. They join to form part of a larger inscription that once ran on multiple blocks. Both blocks are 41 cm high and 61 cm and 37 cm wide, respectively. They probably originated from the same structure in the vicinity. The inscription celebrates the planting of a vineyard and an orchard. The stones are kept in the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.
Transliteration:
1 [i-e-še? dhal-di-e]-i URU GIŠul-di GIŠza-ri-⸢e GIBIL⸣ te-ru-⸢bi⸣
2 [i-e-še? DAN-NU]MEŠ ar-ni-ú-ši-ni-li iš-⸢ti⸣-ni za-du-bi
3 [ma-ni-ni dhal-di-ni] bi-di-ni dhal-di-na-ni KÁ bi-di-ni
4 [mdsar5-du-ri-e] mar-giš-ti-hi-ni-e ul-gu-⸢še⸣ al-su-i-še
5 [e-ia-ar-di-še] ar-ni uš-ma-a-še pi-ṣu-⸢še⸣ ú-a-ni-še
6 [x x x KUR?.šú?]-ri-li U4-MEMEŠ SIG₅MEŠ pi-ṣu-ši-ni-ni-li
7 [si-ip-ru-gi-ni md]sar5-du-ri-še MAN-tú-hi-ni dUTU-ni-ka-i
8 [x x x x te-ru]-ni tar-gi-ni KUR.KURMEŠ-di šú-ia-i-di
Translation:
“(1) In the city [of the god Haldi], I planted a vineyard and a new orchard. I accomplished here [mighty] undertakings. (3) On behalf of [the god Haldi], and on behalf of the Gate of the god Haldi [may there be for Sarduri], son of Argišti, life, greatness, [strength of a lion?], favor(?), protection, joy, and uaniše. (6) [. . . the la]nds(?) good days of joy . . . Sarduri [. . . estab]lished in front of the Sun-God the kingship, he established it strong against all the enemy lands.”
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 437–438, v. 3 p. 274, v. 5 pp. 266–267.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007057).
CTU A 9-12 = CICh 141 = HchI 116 = UKN 172 = KUKN 278
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Bora Bilign, 2024
Armavir (A 9-13)
The well-preserved inscription is on a black basalt block found in old Armavir. The block measures 116 cm in height, 79 cm in width, and 32 cm in thickness and is kept in the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan. The inscription contains a curse formula against damage and is very likely the last part of a larger inscription.
Transliteration:
1 mdsar5-du-ri-še mar-giš-ti-hi-ni-še
2 a-li-e MAN a-li i-si i-ku-ka-ni
3 e-di-ni šá-ú-e ma-nu-li-e
4 mì-i i-ni É.GAL ku-ul-di-a-ni
5 mì-i še-pu-ia-ar-di-a-ni mì-i
6 gi-e-i i-na-ni ar-ni-ú-ši-na-ni
7 la-ku-ia-ni a-lu-ki-e bi-di-i
8 mar-giš-ti-ni mdsar5-du-ri-ni
9 gu-bu-uš-ta-li a-li iš-ti-ni-ni
10 a-du-li-e-ṣi šú-li ta-na-ni-ni
11 mar-giš-ti-e-i mdsar5-du-ri-e-i
12 ti-ni e-si-ni te-er-di-la-ni-ni
13 mì-i e-ši-me-ṣi el-mu-še ma-nu-ni
14 mdsar5-du-ri-i-še a-li-e
15 a-lu-še i-ni É.GAL ku-ú-li-e
16 a-lu-še ha-ar-ha-ar-šú-li-i-e
17 a-lu-še gi-e-i i-na-a-ni
18 ar-ni-ú-ši-na-ni la-ku-du-li-e
19 a-lu-še gi-e-i i-na-ni INIMMEŠ-ni
20 še-pu-ia-li-e a-lu-še i-ni DUB-te
21 tú-li-i-e a-lu-še pi-tú-li-i-e
22 a-lu-še še-er-du-li-i-e a-lu-še
23 ú-li i-ni-li du-li-i-e
24 ti-ú-li-e ú-li tú-ri tú-ri-ni-ni
25 dhal-di-še dIM-še dUTU-še DINGIRMEŠ-še
26 ma-ni NUMUN.NUMUN.NUMUN dUTU-ni pi-i-ni mì-i
27 ar-hi ú-ru-li-a-ni mì-i i-na-i-ni
28 mì-i na-ra-a a-ú-i-e ú-lu-li
Translation:
“(1) Sarduri, son of Argišti, says: May a future king of this place, not destroy this fortress, not šepuiardiani anything from/of these undertakings lakuiani aluki bidi. (8) Argišti, Sarduri, gubuštali who from here adulieṣi šuli tananini. (11) May the name of Argišti (and) of Sarduri be established(?) . . . (not translatable). (14) Sarduri says: (as for the one) who damages this fortress, (as for the one) who destroys it, (as for the one) who anything from these undertakings lakudulie, (as for the one) who anything from these orders šepuiali, (20) (as for the one) who destroys this inscription, (as for the one) who damages it, (as for the one) who hides it, (as for the one) who makes anyone else do these things (and) says ʹgo, destroyʹ, may the god Haldi, the Weather-God, the Sun-god, and (all) the gods annihilate him (and his) offspringʹs offspring under the sun . . . (rest untranslatable).”
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 438–439, v. 3 p. 275, v. 5 pp. 267–268.
Salvini, M. & I. Wegner. 2014. Einführung in die Urartäische Sprache, Wiesbaden (p. 121).
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007058).
CTU A 9-13 = CICh 139 = HchI 117 = UKN 169 = KUKN 275
Image Sources:
M. Salvini & I. Wegner, 2014
Janfida (A 9-14)
The incomplete building block was found in the village of Janfida by the Araxes River, about 9 km south of Sardarapat. The rectangular block has a stepped shape on its left side. The lines of the inscription apparently continued onto a second block to the right. The inscribed surface is 42 cm high and 55 cm wide. It is currently in the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.
Transliteration:
1 [md]sar5-[du]-ri-[še a-li-e MAN a-li i-si i-ku-ka-ni]
2 ⸢e-di⸣-ni šá-ú-i ⸢na⸣-[x x x x x x x x x x]
3 mì-i gi-e-i i-⸢na⸣-[ni ar-ni-ú-ši-na-ni x x x x x]
4 gu-ni te-ru-bi za-du-bi ⸢É⸣ [x x x x x x x x x x x x x]
5 mdsar5-du-ri-e-i [x x x x x x x x x x x x]
6 dhal-di-ni-ni al-[su-i-ši-ni mdsar5-du-ri-ni]
7 m⸢ar⸣-giš-⸢ti⸣-hi MAN DAN-⸢NU⸣ [MAN al-su-i-ni MAN KURšú-ra-ú-e]
8 MAN KURbi-a-i-na-ú-e [a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a-e URU]
9 a-nu-ni ma-nu ku-ni MAN? [x x x x x x x x x x]
10 ⸢áš⸣-gu-a-li m⸢d⸣sar5-[du-ri-x x x x x x x x x x]
Translation:
“(1) Sarduri [says: the king who] for/of this place šaue x […] (3) but anything from tho[se ….] I indeed stabilized, I made a building […]. Of Sarduri […….]. (6) Through the great[ness of the god Haldi (I am) Sarduri], son of Argišti, might[y king, great king, king of the countries], king of the Bia lands, [lord of Ṭušpa-city]. (9) He was anuni, kuni king(?) […] I defeated them, Sar[duri …]”
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 439–440, v. 3 p. 276, v. 5 pp. 268–269.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007059).
CTU A 9-14 = CICh 142A = HchI 115 = UKN 170 = KUKN 276
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Armavir (A 9-15)
The inscribed stone block was found on a hill in old Armavir (Armavir Blur) near Surp Nishan church. The inscription concerns the dedication of a building and a Haldi Gate. The block measures 74 cm in height and 80 cm in width and is currently in the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-e EN-ŠÚ i-ni É
2 mdsar5-du-ú-ri-i-še
3 mar-gi-iš-ti-hi-ni-še
4 ši-di-iš-tú-ni e-ʾa
5 dhal-di-ni-li KÁ-li
6 ba-du-si-e ku-šú-ú-ni
7 at-qa-na-du-ni dhal-di-e EN-ŠÚ
8 dhal-di-ni-ni al-su-ši-ni
9 mdsar5-du-ri-ni MAN DAN-NU
10 MAN GAL-ni MAN KUR.KURMEŠ-ú-e
11 MAN KURbi-a-i-na-a-ú-e
12 MAN MANMEŠ-ú-e a-lu-si-e
13 URUṭu-uš-pa-a-e ⸢URU⸣
Translation:
“(1) For the god Haldi, his lord, Sarduri, son of Argišti, built this building. And he created a gate of the god Haldi to perfection and dedicated it to the god Haldi, his lord. (8) Through the greatness of the god Haldi (I am) Sarduri, strong king, great king, king of the lands, king of the Bia lands, king of kings, lord of Ṭušpa-City.”
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 440, v. 3 p. 276, v. 5 p. 269.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007060).
CTU A 9-15 = CICh 142 = HchI 113 = UKN 165 = KUKN 269
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Davti Blur (A 9-16)
The inscribed building block was found in 1955 during excavations at Davti Blur, the western citadel of the Urartian city Argištihinili, near modern Nor-Armavir. It measures 38.5 cm in height, 78.5 cm in width, and 41 cm in depth and is currently in the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan. The left end of the inscription is broken, missing a few characters at the beginning of the lines. The ends of the lines are incomplete and must have continued on another block. The block apparently originated from the wall of a temple dedicated to Haldi.
Transliteration:
1 [dhal-di]-⸢e⸣ EN-ŠÚ mdsar5-du-ri-i-še mar-giš-[ti-hi-ni-še i-ni Ésu-si ši-di-iš-tú-ni?]
2 [e-ʾa d]⸢hal⸣-di-ni-li KÁ ba-du-si-e dhal-di-ni-[ni x x x x x x x x x x x]
3 [dhal-di]-⸢e⸣ e-ú-ri-e mdsar5-du-ri-še a-li-e [x x x x x x x x x x i-ú]
4 [dhal-di]-iš-me EN-še šú-ú-ki a-ru-ni i-e-[še x x x x x x x x x x x x]
5 [mar-qù]-qi-ul-hi KUR-ni-e te-qu-ni ka-gu-ú-ki [x x x x x x x x x x x x]
6 [i-e-še?] dhal-di-ni-li KÁ ši-di-iš-tú-bi e-[ʾa x x x x x x x x x x x x x]
7 [GIŠul-di] GIŠza-ri GIBIL te-ru-bi GÁNMEŠ GIŠÚ.ŠEMEŠ [šú-hi iš-ti-ni te-ru-bi ma-ni-ni?]
8 [dhal-di]-ni bi-di-ni dhal-di-na-ni KÁ bi-di-ni [mdsar5-du-ri-e mar-giš-ti-hi-ni-e ul-gu-še al-su-i-še?]
9 [e-ia-ar]-⸢di⸣-še ar-ni uš-ma-še pi-ṣu-še ú-a-[ni-še x x x x x x x x x x x x x]
10 [KUR?.šú?-ri-li U4]-MEMEŠ SIG₅MEŠ pi-ṣu-ši-ni-ni-li si-ip-[ru-gi-ni mdsar5-du-ri-še MAN-tú-hi-ni dUTU-ni-ka-i]
11 [te-ru-ni] ⸢DAN⸣-NU KUR.KURMEŠ-di šú-ia-i-di mdsar5-du-[ri-ni] mar-giš-ti-e-hi MAN DAN-⸢NU⸣ [x x x?]
Translation:
“(1) For the god Haldi, the (or: his) Lord, Sarduri, son of Argiš[ti, built(?) this tower temple (susi)] and a gate of the god Haldi to perfection. Through the [ . . . ] of the god Haldi [ . . . . . . . . . . ] for [the god Haldi], the lord. (3b) Sarduri says: [ . . . . . . . . . . . When the god Haldi], gave to me the new lordship, I [ . . . . . . . . . . . . ] (5) he subjected to me the land [Arqu]qi [ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ] (6) [I?] built a gate of the god Haldi, and [ . . . . . . . . . ], (7) [a vineyard], I founded a new orchard, [I founded here new] fields of grain. [May it remain(?)] on behalf [of the god Haldi], on behalf of the gate of the god Haldi [for Sarduri, son of Argišti] life, greatness(?)] and [strength of a li]on, arne, protection(?), joy, . . [ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]. (10) the lands, days of joy . . . ., Sarduri (?) the regality in front of the Sun-God established it p]owerfully against/over the enemy lands. Sardu[ri, son of Argišti], mighty king . . . ] (. . . ).”
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 441, v. 3 p. 277, v. 5 p. 270.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007061).
CTU A 9-16 = UKN II 418 = KUKN 271
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Armavir (A 9-19)
The inscribed basalt slab was found in 1988 during excavations in the Urartian city Argištihinili near the old city of Armavir. The slab is 50.5 cm high, 34 cm wide, and 8 cm deep and is in the inventory of the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan. The inscription mentions the construction of a barzidib(i)duni building and two granaries.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-ni-ni
2 al-su-i-ši-ni
3 mdsar5-du-ri-še
4 mar-giš-ti-hi-ni-še
5 i-ni Ébar-zi-di-ib-du-ni
6 za-du-ni e-ʾa i-ni-li
7 Éʾa-ri-li šú-ʾa-li
8 1-si-ni ʾa-ri-e
9 10 LIM 1 LIM 8 ME 84
10 ka-pi iš-ti-ni
11 2-ni ʾa-a-ri-e
12 8 LIM 2 ME BANEŠ iš-ti-ni
13 mdsar5-du-ri-ni MAN DAN-NU
14 MAN KURbi-a-i-na-ú-e
15 a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa URU
Translation:
“(1) Through the greatness of the god Haldi Sarduri, son of Argišti, made this barzidib(i)duni building, and filled these silos: (8) in the first silo there are 11884 kapi, in the second silo there are 8200 BANEŠ. (13) (I am) Sarduri, strong king, king of the Bia lands, lord of Ṭušpa-City.”
References:
Salvini, M. 1998. “The Granaries of the Urartian Cities,” Eothen 9, 131–149.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 443–444, v. 3 p. 279, v. 5 pp. 272–273.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007064).
CTU A 9-19 = KUKN 278a
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Armavir (A 9-37)
The inscribed stone, in very bad condition, was found on the hill of old Armavir (Armavir Blur). The stone measures 42 cm in height, 81.5 cm in width, and 33 cm in thickness and is in the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.
Transliteration:
1 [d]hal-di-e e-ú-[ri-e] i-ni [x x x mdsar5-du-ri-še]
2 [m]⸢ar⸣-giš-ti-hi-ni-še ⸢ši-di-iš-tú-ni⸣ [x x x e-ʾa É.GAL]
3 ⸢ba⸣-du-ú-si-e [ši-di-iš-tú-ni x x x x x]
4 ku-ú-[x x] x x [x x x x x x x x]
5 md⸢sar5-du-ri-še mar-giš⸣-[ti-hi]-ni-[še x x]
6 šá-ta-x [x x] x x [x x x x x x x]
7 i-⸢ú⸣ [x x x x x x x x x x x x x x]
8 te-x [x x x x x x x x x x x x]
9 x [x x x x x x x x x x x x x x]
10 mì [x x x x x x x x x x x x x x]
Translation:
“(1) For [the god] Haldi, the (or: his) Lo[rd, Sarduri], son of Argišti, built this [. . .]. [He also built a fortress] to perfection. [He] erec[ted …] (5) Sarduri, [son of] Argišti, […] … […] …”
References:
König, F. W. 1955. Handbuch der Chaldischen Inschriften, Graz (No. 114).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 451, v. 3 p. 289, v. 5 p. 280.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007082).
CTU A 9-37 = CICh 143 = HchI 114 = UKN 166 = KUKN 272
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Molla Bayazid (A 9-38)
The stone block was found in Molla Bayazid (now Bambakashat), about 3 km north of old Armavir. It contains the right half of the mid-section of a longer inscription, which must have extended onto separate blocks to the left, above, and below. The present block measures 50 cm in height, 96 cm in width, and 42 cm in depth and is in the inventory of the Armenian History Museum.
Transliteration:
1ʹ [x x x dqu-e]-ra-a bi-di-i-ni
2ʹ [mdsar5-du-ri-e m]ar-giš-ti-hi-ni-e
3ʹ [x x x x x x]-i-ni-i-e
4ʹ [ul-gu-še al]-su-i-še-e
5ʹ [e-ia-ar-di-še] ⸢ar⸣-ni uš-ma-še
6ʹ [pi-ṣu-še] ú-a-ni-še
7ʹ [x x KUR?.šú?-ri?-li?]MEŠ U4-MEMEŠ SIG₅MEŠ
8ʹ [pi-ṣu-ši-ni-ni]-li si-ip-ru-gi!-ni
9ʹ [mdsar5-du-ri-še MAN]-⸢tú⸣-hi-ni dUTU-ni-ka-i
10ʹ [te-ru-ni DAN]-NU KUR.KURMEŠ-di šú-ia-i-di
11ʹ [dhal-di-ni-ni al]-su-i-ši-i-ni
12ʹ [mdsar5-du-ri-ni] mar-giš-ti-hi
Translation:
“(1ʹ) . . . on behalf of the god Quera [for Sarduri], son of Argišti [. . . .] . . . (4ʹ) [life, gr]eatness [and strength of a lion, fa]vor, protection, [joy], uaniše [. . . the regions,] good days [of joy], (and) sipurgini. (9ʹ) [Sarduri] established [the king]ship before the Sun-God powerful against all the enemy countries. (11ʹ) Through the [gr]eatness [of the god Haldi, Sarduri], son of Argišti . . .”
References:
König, F. W. 1955. Handbuch der Chaldischen Inschriften, Graz (No. 116c).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 451–452, v. 3 p. 289, v. 5 pp. 280–281.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007083).
CTU A 9-38 = CICh 140 = HchI 116c = UKN 171 = KUKN 277
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Armavir (A 12-3)
The inscribed basalt block, known since the 19th century, was found on the mound of Armavir, ancient Argištihinili. The inscription is a near duplicate of the lengthy text of Rusa II known from Ayanis (A 12-1) and Karmir Blur (A 12-2), albeit with some variations. Thus, it is probably one of the inscribed blocks that decorated the façade and entry corridor of a temple, likely the one excavated in Armavir in recent decades by I. Karapetian. Comparison with Ayanis suggests this block belonged to the left side of the façade. The preserved part does not mention the ruler’s name, but based on textual similarities and other features, Salvini assigns it to Rusa II. The block is in the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.
Transliteration:
1 [al-zi-na-i dhal-di-na-a KÁ] bi-di su-ú-i-ú-li ta-nu-[li-ni i-na-na-ni É.URU4-me-na-ni]
2 [e-di-ni ši-du-li-ni mì-i e]-ši-me-ṣi el-mu-ú-še ma-nu-ú-[ni a-še ta-nu-li-e MÁŠ.TUR]
3 [dhal-di-e ni-ip-si-du-li]-ni GU4 dhal-di-i-e ŠUM GU4.ÁB d[ʾa-ru-ba-i-ni a-še ši-di-iš-tú-li]
4 [pa-ha-zu-li MÁŠ.TUR dhal-di-e ni-ip-si-du]-li-ni UDU dhal-di-e ŠUM UDU d[ʾa-ru-ba-i-ni-e a-še dhal-di-e-i]
5 [É.BÁRA ṣi-bu-li a-gu-li]-e UDU.MÁŠ.TUR dhal-di-i-e ni-[ip-si-du-li-ni x x x x x]
6 [x x x x x x x-x]-la-ti-ni qi-ú-ra-a qu-ul-di-[ni-ni mì-i e-ši-me-ṣi el-mu-ú-še]
7 [ma-nu-ni a-li dhal-di-na-a KÁ] UDU e-ra-a-ši-ni-e ú-ú-li [a-li LÚpa-la-gi ma-nu-li]
8 [x x x x x i-šá-ni ši-i-ni] za-di-ni ŠUM-ṣi Ési-ri-ha-ni-[ni ma-ri-a-hi-ni a-li i-ni ú-li]
9 [KURšú-ri-li ú-ú-la-li áš]-du-li-i-ni Ési-ri-ha-ni-ni [ma-ri-a-hi-ni Ésu-si-ni-ka-a-i]
10 [ku-ši-ni áš-ha-áš-ti-i-ni dhal]-di-na-a KÁ-ka-i a-lu-si me-ri-ip-[te ma-nu-li ši-i-ni me-ru-ni]
11 [dhal-di-na-a KÁ-ka-i a-li ur-pu-li dhal-di-na KÁ šú]-i-ni-ni zi-el-di-e UZUti-iš-⸢nu⸣ [mru-sa-a ar-du-li-ni a-še?]
Translation:
“(1) [alzinai] at the side [of the gate of the god Haldi they shall] make [this foundation. Furthermore they (or: he/one) shall build it and] ešimeṣi (and) elmuše wi[ll] be. (2b) [When they lay them out, they sh]all [sacrifice a kid for the god Haldi], they shall sacrifice an ox for the god Haldi, (and) a cow for the goddess [ʾArubaini]. (3b) [When they build a pahazuli], they shall [sacrifice a kid for the god Haldi], they shall sacrifice a sheep for the god Haldi, (and) a sheep for the goddess ʾArubaini]. (4b) [When th]ey [dig the sanctuary] of the god Haldi [ṣibuli] they shall sac[rifice . . . they shall gather] from the desert[ed] land [and ešimeṣi (and) elmuše will be]. (7b) a sheep [that(?) at the gate of the god Haldi] erašini, they shall incorporate(?) another one(?) [who(?) should be a palagi man . . . this two(?)] shall do and sacrifice . . .” (a coherent translation cannot be given for the rest).
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 574–575, v. 3 p. 352, v. 5 pp. 326–327.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007102).
CTU A 12-3 = CICh 121 = HchI 97 = UKN 143 = KUKN 270
Image Sources:
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Armavir (A 14-5)
The basalt slab fragment with an incomplete silo inscription of Rusa III was found in the 19th century at the foot of the hill of old Armavir. It measures 17 cm high, 32 cm wide, and 14.5 cm deep and is preserved in the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.
Transliteration:
1 mru-sa-še m⸢e⸣-ri-[me-na-hi-ni-še]
2 i-ni É ʾa-⸢ri⸣ [šú-ú-ni]
3 1 LIM 4 ME 32 ka-[pi iš-ti-ni]
Translation:
“Rusa, [son of] Eri[mena], [filled] this silo. 1432 ka[pi (of grain) are here].”
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 629, v. 3 p. 381, v. 5 p. 356.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007114).
CTU A 14-5 = HchI 132 = UKN 288 = KUKN 443
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Armavir (A 18-3)
The small fragment found in Armavir preserves only a few characters in three lines. The fragment is in the Armenian History Museum.
Transliteration:
1 […] el […]
2 […] e-⸢di⸣ […]
3 […] ni […]
untranslatable.
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 645, v. 5 pp. 357–358.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007118).
CTU A 18-3 = CICh 174A = HchI Inc 29 = UKN 317 = KUKN 517
Armavir (A 18-12)
The small fragment with traces of four lines was found in the 19th century in old Armavir. It measures 22 cm high and 12.5 cm wide and is in the inventory of the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan. Salvini points out a possible match to lines from Rusa II’s A 12-1 IV 4–7 and speculates that the fragment might belong to a missing section of A 12-3 from Armavir, which is a duplicate of A 12-1.
Transliteration:
1ʹ […] i? […]
2ʹ […] qi-[…]
3ʹ […] É […]
4ʹ […] ú […]
5ʹ […] še ma-[…]
Translation:
“(1ʹ) [. . .] . . . [. . .] [. . .] house [. . .] . . . [. . .]”
References:
König, F. W. 1955. Handbuch der Chaldischen Inschriften, Graz (No. Inc. 27).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 648–649, v. 5 p. 361.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007127).
CTU A 18-12 = HchI Inc 27 = UKN 315 = KUKN 516
Armavir (A 18-13)
The small fragment was found in the 19th century in old Armavir. It is currently in the inventory of the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.
Transliteration:
1 […] ti?-ni te-[ru-bi]
2 […]-bi te-ru-bi
3 […]-i-e-i URU?
Translation:
“[…] gave the name […] gave/established/planted […] … the city(?).”
References:
König, F. W. 1955. Handbuch der Chaldischen Inschriften, Graz (No. Inc. 28).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 649, v. 5 pp. 361–362.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007128).
CTU A 18-13 = CICh 174 = HchI Inc 28 = UKN 316 = KUKN 515