Keşiş Göl and Gövelek (A 14-1)
The tall stele was found in multiple pieces at different locations and times. The lower section was found in 1891 by W. Belck halfway up a ravine slope near the western shore of Keşiş Göl/Lake Keşiş (today Turna Göl), on the eastern side of Mt. Erek, about 30 km from the city of Van. It was lying next to its square-shaped base, a boulder 4 feet wide and deep and 1.5 feet thick. The stele fragment was subsequently transferred to Germany. This bottom fragment measures 161.5 cm high, 76.5 cm wide, and 36 cm thick and is in the Vorderasiatisches Museum in Berlin. The upper part of the stele consists of two pieces found in 2002 in the village of Gövelek, 27 km east of Van and about 7 km north of Keşiş Göl. The top piece measures 133.5 cm high, 76 cm wide, and 36.5 cm thick, and the smaller, roughly triangular lower piece has a max height of 65 cm, max width of 66 cm, and thickness of 36 cm. These fragments are in the inventory of the Van Museum. The complete stele, with the base, stands over 4 m tall. It is fully inscribed on the front and halfway on the back, followed by several blank lines with separators, indicating the inscription was left incomplete.
After the discovery of the top section, which names the author as “Rusa, son of Erimena,” it became clear this is Rusa III, not Rusa II (son of Argišti) or Rusa I (son of Sarduri). The text reveals that Keşiş Lake was created by this king with the installation of two dams, apparently on the north and west sides, which are still effective on the creeks draining the basin. The stele base’s find spot is likely not the original location; it may have stood near one of the dams. Another stele of this king found nearby in Savacık (A 14-2) has a near duplicate of this text with minor variations.
Transliteration:
obverse
1 dhal-di-ni-ni al-su-i-ši-ni
2 EN-si-ni-ni iš-te-di mru-sa-ni
3 me-ri-me-na-hi dhal-di-e-i LÚARAD
4 dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni EN-si-ni-ni
5 a-lu-uš-me šú-i-ni e-si-i-ni mu-ṣi
6 ú-e-še-la-a-še ú-e-ši-i-gi
7 a-lu-uš-me ṭu-bar-du-ni ú-bar-du-gi
8 a-lu-uš-me MAN-tú-hi DAN-NU a-ru-ni
9 na-ha-di MAN-tú-hi-ni-na GIŠGU.ZA te-ru-me
10 GIŠ MAN-tú-hi-ni-i šú-gu-ki uš-ha-nu-me
11 ú-e-še-la-še mu-ṣi a-lu-ka-a
12 ú-e-ši-ia-ú-li KÚR KUR.KURMEŠ
13 uš-ha-nu-me dhal-di-i-še EN-še
14 hu-ṭu-tú-hi gu-nu-še e-ʾa ip-šú-še
15 šú-i-ni-i ú-ri-ni-i dhal-di-ni-ni
16 ba-ú-ši-i-ni KÚR ú-ri-e
17 a-ú-e-i-ṭi5-ni ši-ú-bi
18 mru-sa-še me-ri-me-na-hi-ni-še
19 a-li KURqi-il-ba-ni-ka-i KITIM
20 qu-ul-di-ni ma-nu ú-i gi-e-⸢i⸣
21 [ab-si-e-i GIŠÚ.ŠE GIŠGEŠTIN iš-ti-ni]
22 ma-nu-⸢ri⸣ [ú-i PA5 iš-ti-ni]
23 a-ga-ú-ri šú-ki [dhal-di-še]
24 i-zi-ú-ni i-e-⸢še⸣ [za-du-bi]
25 DAN-NUMEŠ ar-ni-ú-[ši-ni-li]
26 iš-ti-ni mru-sa-še a-li a-[ga-a?-x-x]
27 KURú-ra-i-di LÚa-bu-⸢ul⸣-[ši?-x-x]
28 ú-ru-bi i-ni ṣu-i-ni-i e-⸢si⸣ [gu-ni?]
29 [šú]-li ma-nu-še ú-i gi-i ab-⸢si⸣-[e-i]
30 ⸢Ú⸣.ŠE iš-ti-ni ma-nu-ri pu-la-⸢ú⸣-[e]
31 ⸢i⸣-ṣi-na-ú-e a-ri-bu-ta-⸢i⸣ [KASKAL]
32 ⸢iš⸣-ti-ni ma-nu ú-i PA5 a-ga-⸢ú⸣-[ri]
33 ⸢ú⸣-i ta-ar-ma-ni iš-ti-ni ⸢ma⸣-[nu-ri]
34 [a?]-ri ú-e-⸢li-du⸣-[ú-li] ⸢KUR⸣ba-ba-ni-⸢li⸣
35 ⸢DAN⸣-NUMEŠ ú-ra-tar-bi AMEŠ iš-ti-⸢ni⸣
36 ⸢pu⸣-la-⸢ú⸣-e e-ʾa i-ṣi-na-a-ú-[e]
37 ⸢te⸣-ru-bi ti-ni mru-sa-a-i ṣu-⸢e⸣
38 ⸢a⸣-gu-bi PA5 iš-ti-ni-ni mru-sa-hi-na-[di]
39 ⸢i⸣-ku-ka-hi-ni KITIM a-li qu-ul-di-[ni]
40 ⸢ma⸣-nu KURbi-a-i-na-še BAL-te e-⸢ʾa⸣
41 [KUR].KÚRMEŠ-še gu-ni šú-li ma-nu mru-sa-⸢še⸣
42 [a]-li i-ú mru-sa-hi-i-ni-⸢li⸣
43 ⸢ši⸣-du-ú-li i-ú i-ni ṣu-e ta-nu-[bi]
44 [pa]-ru-bi LÚDUMU-še URUṭu-uš-pa-i-ni-⸢i⸣
45 ⸢ú⸣-ru-lu-ni i-si-i KI⸢TIM⸣
46 [m]ru-sa-hi-na-ka-i e-ʾa i-nu-⸢si⸣
47 ⸢ṣu⸣-i-ni-i e-si gu-ni qu-ul-di-⸢ni⸣
48 [šú]-li ma-nu LÚDUMUMEŠ-ni-še a-lu-[še]
49 ⸢ú⸣-ru-lu-ni šú-i-ni-i LÚDUMU-⸢ni?⸣
50 ⸢qu⸣-ra-di-ri URUDU du-di-e te-ra-⸢gi⸣
51 [m]⸢ru⸣-sa-še a-li te-ru-bi i-ku-ka-hi-⸢ni⸣
52 ⸢KITIM⸣ GIŠGEŠTIN GIŠTIR GÁN Ú.ŠE DAN-[NU]
53 ⸢ar⸣-ni-ú-ši-ni-li iš-ti-⸢ni⸣
54 [za]-⸢du⸣-ú-li i-na-ni ṣu-⸢e⸣
55 [m]⸢ru⸣-sa-hi-na-ú-e hu-ri-iš-[hi]
56 [ma]-ni-ni mì-i ab-si-i ⸢ba⸣-ú-še bi-⸢di⸣
57 [ma]-nu-ni a-ú-di mru-sa-hi-na-⸢ú⸣-[e]
58 [a?]-⸢lu?⸣-la-ni-ni a-la-ṣi mu-ši-ti-na-[ni?]
59 [A]MEŠ ṣu-i-ni-ni ši-e-di-ú-[li?]
60 [i]-ka-ṣi-ia-ni mu-ši-ti-na-⸢ni?⸣
61 [A]⸢MEŠ⸣ ÍDa-la-i-ni-ni ši-e-du-li-[e]
62 [m]⸢ru⸣-sa-hi-na-i-di a-li A⸢MEŠ⸣
63 [ÍD]a-la-i-ni-i URUṭu-uš-pa-ni-[e]
64 [a]-⸢ra⸣-gi ul-hu-li-ni a-li A⸢MEŠ⸣
65 [m]⸢ru⸣-sa-hi-na-ú-e ip-šá-du-li-⸢e⸣
66 [a]-⸢lu⸣-la-ti-ni a-li-pi a-bi-li-ú-[x]
reverse
1 a-ú-i-e LUGAL-še a-li-i-e
2 ul-hu-li-ni mru-sa-še a-li gu-ni
3 ṭè-el-zu-še te-ru-bi a-še AMEŠ
4 ṣu-i-ni-ni ni-ki-du-li UDU.MÁŠ.TUR
5 dhal-di-e ni-ip-si-du-li-ni GU4 5 UDU
6 dhal-di-e ŠUM UDU ŠE UDU dIM UDU ŠE ⸢UDU⸣
7 dUTU UDU ŠE UDU dʾa-ru-ba-⸢ni⸣-[e]
8 UDU ŠE UDU DINGIRMEŠ UDU ŠE UDU d⸢NIN⸣
9 GU4 mru-sa-i-ni-e DINGIR-gi
10 GU4.ÁB mru-sa-i-ni-e dNIN
11 GU4.ÁB da-ni-qu-gi 3 UDU DINGIRMEŠ
12 ṣu-i-ni-ni UDU ŠE UDU daš-šur UDU ŠE UDU
13 dna-la-i-ni-e UDU ŠE UDU dqu-e-⸢ra⸣
14 GU4 UDU dú-ra ⸢3⸣ UDU KURba-ba-na-ú-e
15 at-qa-na-na-ú-e i-ni-ni ŠUM-ṣi
16 a-še AMEŠ ni-ki-du-li a-še AMEŠ
17 e-ši-a-ṣi-ú-li UDU ŠE UDU dhal-di-e
18 UDU dIM UDU dUTU UDU dʾa-ru-ba-ni-e
19 UDU DINGIRMEŠ UDU dNIN UDU mru-sa-i-ni-e
20 DINGIR-gi UDU mru-sa-i-ni-e dNIN
21 [UDU da-ni-qu-gi 3 UDU DINGIR]⸢MEŠ ṣu-ni-ni⸣
22 [UDU daš-šur UDU] dna-la-ni-e
23 [UDU dqu]-⸢e⸣-ra UDU dú-ra
24 [UDU KURba]-⸢ba⸣-na-ú-e at-qa-na-na-ú-e
25 [x x x] x mru-sa-hi-na-i-di
26 [x-x]-x-ni dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-⸢ni⸣
27 [mru]-⸢sa⸣-ni me-ri!-me-na-hi MAN DAN-⸢NU⸣
28 [MAN KURbi]-⸢a⸣-i-na-ú-e a-lu-ki-ka-i
29 [d]⸢hal⸣-di-še DINGIRMEŠ-še ṭu-bar!-du-ni-⸢ni⸣
30 [ú]-⸢bar!⸣-du-i-te a-lu-ki e-⸢ʾa⸣
Translation:
“(obv. 1) Through the greatness of the god Haldi, my Lord, I am Rusa, son of Erimena, the servant of the god Haldi. (4) Through the protection of the god Haldi, my Lord, (5) who faithfully bestowed(?) on me the power(?) over(?)/of(?) all the places, (7) who endows(?) me with ṭubarduni, (8) (and) who gave me the mighty regality, (9) I sat down on the royal throne. He put the royal scepter(?) in my hand(?) He faithfully granted me the power(?), by which I ruled the enemy lands. (13) The god Haldi, the Lord, granted me bravery(?), pugnacity and dominion(?)over all the territory. (15b) By the command of the god Haldi, I took away the aueiṭeni troops(?) of the enemy territory. (18) Rusa, son of Erimena says: in front of Mount Qilbani the land was deserted, nothing, not even a grainfield (and/or) a vineyard was there. (22b) (And) not (even) a canal had been dug here. Once the god Haldi gave the command, I accomplished mighty deeds there. (26b) Rusa says: the abulši?-x-x man aga-x-x towards mount Ura. (28) I saw(?) the place of this lake, [truly] the place was void; (there was) no existence of anything, (29b) not even a grainfield was there pulaue iṣinaue aributai (31b) [(not? even) a road] was there, no canal had (been) dug, not (even) a fountain was there. (34) I secured(?) the mighty mountainous land (and) collected(?) the water from there pulaue and iṣinaue. I gave it the name ‘Lake of Rusa’. (38) I dug a canal from there to Rusahinili. The same land that was deserted, the Bia lands BAL-te and the enemy lands were truly void(?). (41b) Rusa says: when I built Rusahinili, when I made this lake, I carried away inhabitants of/from the city Ṭušpa (lit. son(s) of/from Ṭušpa); (45) they saw(?) the ground(?) of the earth in front of Rusahinili and the place of this lake was indeed deserted (and) void(?). (48b) The inhabitants (lit. sons) who saw(?) the quradiri bronze dudie of all inhabitants placed(?). (51) Rusa says: in this same land I planted vineyards, woods, fields of grain, I accomplished great undertakings there. May this lake be abundant(?) for Rusahinili and(?) may the order be immediate(?). (57b) (the passage is unintelligible except for some words: “of/to Rusahinili” . . . “waters from the lake” . . . “towards Rusahinili, waters of the river Alainei to Ṭušpa” . . . “water to/of Rusahinili”).
(rev. 1) Forever(?) the king should say: “It should bring forth(?) (water)”, (2b) Rusa says: indeed I established an offering prescription: (3b) When the water flows out(?) off the lake, he (i.e. the ritual practitioner) may sacrifice a lamb for the god Haldi, an ox (and) 5 sheep may he sacrifice for the god Haldi. (6b) A fat sheep and a sheep for the weathergod, a fat sheep and a sheep for the sungod, a fat sheep and a sheep for the goddess ʾArubani, (8) a fat sheep and a sheep for the (male) gods, a fat sheep and a sheep for the divine Lady, (9) an ox for the (personal?) god of Rusa, (10) a cow for the (divine) Lady of Rusa, (11) a cow for the goddess Aniqugi, 3 sheep for the gods of the lake, (12b) a fat sheep and a sheep for the god Aššur, a fat sheep and a sheep for the god Nalainei, a fat sheep and a sheep for the god Quera, (14) an ox and a sheep for the god Ura, 3 sheep for the sacrifices for the mountains (15b) This (is then) the sacrifice (to be carried out) (16) when the water gets out/overflows(?). When (instead) the water (17) decreases(?), a fat sheep and a sheep (is due) to the god Haldi (18) , a sheep to the stormgod, a sheep to the sungod, a sheep to the goddess ʾArubani, (19) a sheep to the (male) gods, a sheep to the ladies (= goddesses), a sheep to the god of Rusa, a sheep to the (divine) Lady of Rusa, (21) a sheep to the god Aniqu, 3 sheep to the gods of the lake,(22) a sheep to the god Aššur, a sheep to the god Nalani, (23) a sheep to the god Quera, a sheep to the god Ura, (24) a sheep for the sacrifices for the mountains (25) [ . . . .] towards Rusahinili [ . . ]ni. Through the protection of the god Haldi (27) (I am) Rusa, son of Erimena, mighty king (28) king of the Bia lands, in whose presence (29) the god Haldi and (all) the gods should endow(?) strenghth(?) he who both(?) [. . .”
References:
Belck, W. & C. F. Lehmann. 1892. “Ueber neuerlich aufgefundene Keilinschriften in russisch und türkisch Armenien,” Zeitschrift für Ethnologie 24, 122–152 (141–152).
Salvini, M. 2002. “Una stele di Rusa III Erimenaḫi dalla zona di Van,” SMEA 44, 115–143.
Salvini, M. 2006. “Le due stele di Rusa Erimenaḫi dal Keşiş¸ Göl,” SMEA 48, 209–272.
Salvini, M. 2007. “Argišti, Rusa, Erimena, Rusa und die Löwenschwänze: Eine urartäische Palastgeschichte des VII. Jh. v. Chr.,” AJNES 2, 146-162 (p. 244, Plt. IV).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 621–625, v. 3 pp. 368–371, v. 5 pp. 347–351.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007110).
CTU A 14-1b (Keşiş Göl) = CICh 145 = HchI 121 = UKN 268 = KUKN 391
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2006, 2007
Savacık (A 14-2)
The tall stele was discovered in 2006 near the village of Savacık, 5.5 km south of Keşiş Göl. The stele measures 262 cm high, 71 cm wide, and 37.5 cm thick and is on display at the Van Museum. It is inscribed on three sides: front, right side, and back, with some damage at the top, bottom, and side edges. The text is a duplicate of the Keşiş Göl stele of Rusa III (A 14-1) with minor variations.
Transliteration (CTU V):
obverse
1 [dhal-di-ni-ni al-su-i-ši-ni]
2 [EN-si-ni-ni iš-te-di mru-sa-ni]
3 [me-ri-me-na-hi dhal-di-e-i LÚARAD]
4 [dhal-di-ni-ni] ⸢uš⸣-ma-ši-ni EN-⸢si-ni-ni⸣
5 [a-lu-uš-me] ⸢šú⸣-i-ni e-si-i-ni mu-ṣi
6 [ú-e-ši]-i-gi a-lu-uš-me ṭu-bar-du-ni
7 [ú-bar]-du-gi a-lu-uš-me MAN-tú-hi DAN-NU
8 [a]-ru-ni na-ha-a-di MAN-tú-hi-ni-na
9 [GIŠ]GU.ZA te-ru-me GIŠ šú-gu-ki uš-ha-nu-me
10 ⸢ú⸣-e-še-la-še mu-ṣi-e a-lu-ka-a
11 ⸢ú⸣-e-ši-ia-ú-li KÚR KUR.KURMEŠ
12 [uš]-ha-nu-me dhal-di-i-še EN-še
13 [hu]-ṭu-tú-hi gu-nu-še e-ʾa ip-šú-ú-še
14 [šú-i?]-ni-i ú-ri-ni-i dhal-di-ni-ni
15 [ba]-⸢ú⸣-ši-ni KÚR ú-ri-e a-ú-e-ṭi5-⸢ni⸣
16 [ši]-⸢ú⸣-bi mru-sa-še me-ri-me-na-hi-ni-⸢še⸣
17 [a-li] KURqi-il-ba-ni-ka-i KITIM
18 [qu]-ul-di-ni ma-nu ú-i gi-i ab-si-⸢i⸣
19 [GIŠ]Ú.ŠE GIŠGEŠTIN iš-ti-ni ma-nu-ri ú-⸢i⸣
20 ⸢PA5⸣ iš-ti-ni a-ga-ú-ri šú-ki-⸢e⸣
21 [d]⸢hal⸣-di-še EN-še i-zi-ú-[ni]
22 [i]-⸢e⸣-še za-du-ú-bi DAN-NU[MEŠ]
23 [ar]-⸢ni⸣-ú-ši-ni-li iš-⸢ti⸣-[ni]
24 [mru]-⸢sa⸣-a-še a-li a-ga-⸢a?⸣-[x-x]
25 [KURú]-⸢ra⸣-i-di LÚa-bu-ul-⸢ši?⸣-[x-x]
26 [ú]-⸢ru⸣-bi i-ni ṣu-i-ni-i ⸢e⸣-[si]
27 [gu-ni?] šú-ú-li ma-nu ú-i [gi-i]
28 [ab-si]-⸢i⸣ GÁN Ú.ŠE iš-ti-ni ma-[nu-ri]
29 [pu-la]-ú-e i-ṣi-na-a-⸢ú⸣-[e]
30 [a-ri-bu]-ta-i KASKAL iš-ti-ni ⸢ma⸣-[nu]
31 [ú-i] PA5 a-ga-ú-ri ú-⸢i⸣
32 [ta]-⸢ar⸣-ma-ni iš-ti-ni ma-nu-⸢ri⸣
33 [a-ri]-e ú-e-li-du-ú-⸢li⸣
34 [KURba]-⸢ba⸣-ni-li DAN-NUMEŠ ú-ra-tar-⸢bi⸣
35 [AMEŠ] ⸢iš⸣-ti-ni pu-la-ú-e e-⸢ʾa⸣
36 [i-ṣi]-na-ú-e te-ru-bi ti-i-ni
37 [mru]-⸢sa⸣-i ṣu-e a-gu-bi ⸢PA5⸣
38 [iš]-⸢ti⸣-ni-ni mru-sa-hi-na-i-⸢di⸣
39 [i-ku]-ka-hi-ni-e KI⸢TIM⸣ a-li
40 [qu]-ul-di-ni ma-nu KURbi-a-i-na-⸢še⸣
41 ⸢BAL⸣-te e-ʾa KURlu-lu-i-na-⸢še⸣
42 [gu]-⸢ni⸣ šú-ú-li mru-sa-še a-⸢li⸣
43 [i]-ú mru-sa-hi-ni-li ši-du-ú-⸢li⸣
44 [i]-ú i-ni ṣu-e ta-nu-bi pa-ru-⸢bi⸣
45 [LÚ]DUMU-še URUṭu-uš-pa-i-ni-⸢i⸣
46 [ú]-ru-lu-ni KI⸢TIM⸣
47 [m]⸢ru⸣-sa-hi-na-ka-i e-ʾa i-nu-⸢si⸣
48 [ṣu]-⸢i⸣-ni-i e-si gu-ni qu-ul-di-⸢ni⸣
49 [šú]-⸢ú⸣-li ma-nu LÚDUMU-ni-⸢še⸣
50 [a]-⸢lu⸣-še ú-ru-lu-ni šú-i-ni-⸢i⸣
51 [a?]-li i-nu-ka-ni e-di-ni a-zi-[bi]
52 [sal]-⸢ma⸣-at-tú-hi-ni ha-ra-ri te-⸢ra⸣-[gi]
right side
1 LÚDUMU-[ni?]
2 qu-ra-di-[ri URUDU]
3 du-di-e te-⸢ra-gi⸣
4 mru-sa-še [a-li]
5 te-ru-⸢ú⸣-[bi]
6 i-ku-ka-[hi-ni]
7 KITIM GIŠGEŠTIN [GIŠTIR]
8 GÁN Ú.ŠE [DAN-NU]
9 ar-ni-⸢ši⸣-[ni-li]
10 iš-ti-[i?-ni]
11 za-du-[(ú-li)]
12 i-na-ni [(ṣu-e)]
13 mru-⸢sa⸣-[hi-na-ú-e]
14 hu-⸢ri⸣-[iš-hi]
15 ma-⸢ni⸣-[ni x x x]
16 ⸢a-ú?⸣ [x x x]
17 [x] x [x x x]
18 [ma-nu-ni a-ú-di]
19 [mru-sa-hi na-ú-e]
20 [a?-lu?-la-ni-ni]
21 [a-la-ṣi]
22 [mu-ši-ti-na-ni?]
23 [AMEŠ ṣu-i-ni-ni] (or: [ši-i-x-x ṣu-i-ni-ni)
24 ⸢ši⸣-e-[di-ú-li?]
25 ⸢i⸣-ka-⸢ṣi⸣-[ia-ni]
26 mu-ši-⸢ti⸣-[na-ni?]
27 ⸢ši⸣-i-[x-x]
28 ⸢su⸣-ur-tar-[x-x]
29 ši-e-du-⸢li⸣-[ni]
30 [m]⸢ru⸣-sa-hi-na-[i-di]
31 a-li ši-x-[x-x]
32 ⸢su⸣-ur-tar-[x-x]
33 URUṭu-uš-[pa-ni-e]
34 ⸢a⸣-ra-⸢gi⸣-[i?]
35 ul-hu-li-[ni]
36 a-⸢li⸣ [AMEŠ] (or: a-⸢li⸣ [ši-i-x-x])
37 [m]ru-⸢sa⸣-[hi-na-ú-e]
38 ip-šá-[du-li-e]
39 a-lu-[la-ti-ni]
40 ⸢a-li⸣-[pi]
41 a-bi-⸢li⸣-[ú-x]
42 a-ú-[i-e]
43 LUGAL-[še]
44 ⸢a-li⸣-[e]
45 [ul-hu-li-ni]
46 [mru-sa-še]
47 [a-li gu-ni]
reverse
1 [ṭè-el-zu-še te-ru-bi a-še AMEŠ]
2 [ṣu-i-ni-ni ni-ki-du-li UDU.MÁŠ.TUR]
3 [dhal-di-e ni-ip-si-du-li-ni GU4 5 UDU]
4 [dhal-di-e ŠUM UDU ŠE UDU dIM] ⸢UDU⸣ [ŠE UDU]
5 [dUTU UDU ŠE UDU dʾa]-⸢ru⸣-ba-ni-e UDU [GU4]
6 [mru-sa-i-ni]-⸢e⸣ dNINMEŠ GU4 m⸢ru⸣-[sa-i-ni-e]
7 [DINGIR-gi GU4].ÁB mru-sa-ni-e ⸢d⸣[NIN]
8 [GU4.ÁB d]a-ni-qu-gi 3 ⸢UDU⸣ [DINGIRMEŠ]
9 [ṣu-i]-ni-ni UDU ŠE UDU [daš-šur]
10 [UDU ŠE UDU] dna-la-i-ni-e ⸢UDU⸣ [ŠE]
11 [UDU dqu-e]-ra GU4 UDU dú-[ra 3]
12 [UDU KUR]⸢ba⸣-ba-na-ú-e at-qa-na-⸢na⸣-[ú-e]
13 [i-ni-ni] ⸢ŠUM⸣-ṣi a-še AMEŠ ni-ki-⸢du⸣-[li]
14 [a-še AMEŠ] e-ši-a-ṣi-ú-[li]
15 [UDU ŠE UDU] dhal-di-e ŠUM UDU [dIM]
16 [UDU dUTU] UDU dʾa-ru-[ba-ni-e]
17 [UDU DINGIRMEŠ UDU] dNIN UDU mru-sa-[ni-e]
18 [DINGIR-gi UDU m]⸢ru⸣-sa-i-ni d[NIN]
19 [UDU da-ni-qu]-⸢gi⸣ UDU DINGIRMEŠ ṣu-[ni-ni]
20 [UDU daš-šur] ⸢UDU⸣ dna-la-i-[ni-e]
21 [UDU dqu-e]-ra UDU dú-[ra]
22 [UDU KURba-ba]-⸢na⸣-ú-e at-qa-na-⸢na⸣-[ú-e]
23 [x x x x m]ru-sa-hi-na-⸢i⸣-[di]
24 [x-x-x-ni] ⸢d⸣hal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-[ši-ni]
25 [mru-sa-ni] me-ri-me-na-⸢a⸣-[hi]
26 [MAN DAN-NU MAN] ⸢KUR⸣bi-a-i-na-a-ú-⸢e⸣
27 [a-lu-ki]-ka-i dhal-di-⸢še⸣
28 [DINGIRMEŠ-še] ⸢ṭu⸣-bar-du-ni ú-bar-du-i-⸢te⸣
29 [a-lu-ki] e-ʾa KURba-ba-ni-⸢li⸣
30 [e-ʾa?] ⸢ÍD⸣MEŠ ha-šá-gi-e-⸢li⸣
31 [dhal-di]-⸢e⸣-i LÚARAD DINGIRMEŠ-ú-⸢e⸣
32 [LÚsi-e mu]-ṣi LÚUNMEŠ-ú-⸢e⸣
33 [dhal]-⸢di⸣-ni-ni ba-ú-ši-i-⸢ni⸣
34 [ú-i] ⸢gu⸣-nu-še a-di-ra-si-ia-⸢bi⸣
35 [a-lu]-še a-li i-e-še i-⸢ni⸣
36 [ṣu-e?] ⸢za⸣-du-bi a-lu-še i-ni
37 [tú-li]-⸢e⸣ a-lu-še pi-tú-li-e a-lu-⸢še⸣
38 [ip-hu]-li-e a-lu-še a-ú-i-e-⸢i⸣
39 [ip]-⸢hu?⸣-li-e a-lu-še ú-li-⸢še⸣
40 [ti-ú]-⸢li⸣-e i-e-še za-du-ú-⸢bi⸣
41 [a-lu-še] ⸢ú⸣-li-e i-ni-li du-li-⸢e⸣
42 [a]-⸢li⸣-e ú-li tú-ú-ri-⸢e⸣
43 [tú-ri]-⸢ni⸣-ni dhal-di-še dIM-še
44 [dUTU]-še DINGIRMEŠ-še ma-a-⸢ni⸣
45 [ti-i-ni] ar-mu-zi-i-⸢li⸣
46 [ar-mu]-zi-gi ar-mu-zi-⸢li⸣
47 [dUTU-ni] ⸢pi⸣-i-ni mì-i ar-hi-⸢e⸣
48 [ú-ru-li]-⸢ia⸣-ni mì-i i-ni-ni mì-⸢i⸣
49 [na-ra a-ú]-i-e ú-lu-li-[e]
Translation (after A 14-1):
“(obv. 1) Through the greatness of the god Haldi, my Lord, I am Rusa, son of Erimena, the servant of the god Haldi. (4) Through the protection of the god Haldi, my Lord, (5) who faithfully bestowed(?) on me the power(?) over(?)/of(?) all the places, (6) who endows(?) me with ṭubarduni, (7) (and) who gave me the mighty regality, (9) I sat down on the royal throne. He put the scepter(?) in my hand(?). He faithfully granted me the power(?), by which I ruled the enemy lands. (12) The god Haldi, the Lord, granted me bravery(?), pugnacity and dominion(?)over all the territory. (14b) By the command of the god Haldi, I took away the aueiṭeni troops(?) of the enemy territory. (16) Rusa, son of Erimena says: in front of Mount Qilbani the land was deserted, nothing, not even a grainfield (and/or) a vineyard was there. (And) not (even) a canal had been dug here. (21) Once the god Haldi, the Lord, gave the command, I accomplished mighty deeds there. (24) Rusa says: the abulši?-x-x man aga-x-x towards mount Ura. I saw(?) the place of this lake, (27) [truly] the place was void; (there was) no existence of anything, (28b) not even a grainfield was there pulaue iṣinaue aributai (30b) [(not? even) a road] was there, no canal had (been) dug, not (even) a fountain was there. (34) I secured(?) the mighty mountainous land (and) collected(?) (35) the water from there pulaue and iṣinaue. (36b) I gave it the name ‘Lake of Rusa’. (37b) I dug a canal from there to Rusahinili. (39) The same land that was deserted, the Bia lands (41) BAL-te and the enemy lands were truly void(?). (42b) Rusa says: when I built Rusahinili, when I made this lake, I carried away inhabitants of/from the city Ṭušpa (lit. son(s) of/from Ṭušpa); (46) they saw(?) the land in front of Rusahinili and the place of this lake was indeed deserted (and) void(?). (49b) The inhabitants (lit. sons) who saw(?) [(51-52) (these two lines interrupt the text, apparently to indicate it continues on the right side)]
(r. side 1) the quradiri bronze dudie of all inhabitants placed(?). (4) Rusa says: in this same land I planted vineyards, woods, (8) fields of grain, I accomplished great undertakings there. May this lake be abundant(?) for Rusahinili and(?) may the order be immediate(?). (15–41) (the passage is unintelligible except for some words) … … (42) Forever(?) the king should say: “It should bring forth(?) (water)”, (46) Rusa says: indeed
(rev. 1) I established an offering prescription: When the water flows out(?) off the lake, he (i.e. the ritual practitioner) may sacrifice a lamb (3) for the god Haldi, an ox (and) 5 sheep may he sacrifice for the god Haldi. A fat sheep and a sheep for the weathergod, a fat sheep and a sheep (5) for the sungod, a fat sheep and a sheep for the goddess ʾArubani, (5b) a sheep [and an ox?] for the (divine) Ladies(=goddesses) of [Rusa], (6b) an ox for the (personal?) god of Rusa, (7b) a cow for the (divine) Lady of Rusa, (8) a cow for the goddess Aniqugi, 3 sheep for the gods of the lake, (9b) a fat sheep and a sheep for the god Aššur, (10) a fat sheep and a sheep for the god Nalainei, a fat sheep (11) and a sheep for the god Quera, an ox and a sheep for the god Ura, 3 (12) sheep for the sacrifices for the mountains (13) This (is then) the sacrifice (to be carried out) when the water gets out/overflows(?).(14) When (instead) the water decreases(?),(15) a fat sheep and a sheep (is due) to the god Haldi, a sheep to the stormgod, (16) a sheep to the sungod, a sheep to the goddess ʾArubani, (17) a sheep to the (male) gods, a sheep to the ladies (= goddesses), a sheep to the god of Rusa, (18b) a sheep to the (divine) Lady of Rusa, (19) a sheep to the god Aniqu, a sheep to the gods of the lake,(20) a sheep to the god Aššur, a sheep to the god Nalani, (21) a sheep to the god Quera, a sheep to the god Ura, (22) a sheep for the sacrifices for the mountains (23) [ . . . .] towards Rusahinili [ . . ]ni. Through the protection of the god Haldi (25) (I am) Rusa, son of Erimena, (26) mighty king king of the Bia lands, (27) in whose presence the god Haldi (28) and (all) the gods should endow(?) strenghth(?) he who both(?) [. . .”
Translation (CTU V):
“(rev. 29) who is the mountains [and(?) the rive]rs hašagili, servant of [Haldi] and of the gods tr[ue shepherd] of the people. (32) By the order/will of [Hald]i I did not fear the battle. (34) (empty) (35) Whoever says: ‘I have made this [lake(?)]’, whoever [destroys] this [ste]le, whoever [damag]es it, whoever [rui]ns(?) it, whoever else (40) [say]s: ‘I have made it’, [whoever] else does these things, whoever [sa]ys: ‘go, destroy’, (43) [may the god Haldi, the god of the Storm, the [god of the Sun] and (all) the gods, him, his [name], his descendants, and the descendants of his descendants [from under (the light of) the sun] … (47) (untranslatable formula)”.
References:
Salvini, M. 2006. “Le due stele di Rusa Erimenaḫi dal Keşiş¸ Göl,” SMEA 48, 209–272.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 625–628, v. 3 pp. 372–379, v. 5 pp. 351–355.
Salvini, M. 2012. “Das Corpus der Urartäischen Inschriften,” in Biainili-Urartu, eds. S. Kroll et al., Acta Iranica 51, Leuven, 111–134 (Fig. 08.24)
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007111).
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2012
Bora Bilgin, 2025
Erek Dağ (A 14-3)
The rock inscription is on the eastern side of Erek Dağ, approximately 15 km east of central Van. It was first reported in 2004 by a shepherd. At an altitude of 2700 m, it is located between the summit of Küçükerek Dağı and Keşiş Göl, about 6–8 km north of the village of Gölardı (old Doni). It is engraved on an isolated boulder in a prominent position overlooking Erçek Göl. The east-facing inscription covers an area of 38 cm high and 130 cm wide. The surface is jagged and pitted by natural elements, causing significant damage. Of the eight lines, the last five appear to be part of a curse formula. The name Rusa in line 3 is more likely associated with Rusa III, given the two nearby steles of this king around Keşiş Göl (A 14-1 and A 14-2).
Transliteration:
1 m⸢ru⸣-[sa-a-še me-ri-me-na-hi-ni-še?]
2 ⸢ba-hu?⸣ [x x] x [x x x x x]-ri
3 ⸢mru-sa⸣-[x-x x x x x a]-i-še-i su-⸢ṭi5-a⸣-ni
4 mì a-ú-⸢di?⸣ [x x x]-⸢ni⸣ a-⸢lu-še i-ni-i-li?⸣
5 x [x] x x [x] x ⸢e-si-a?⸣ x [ma-a-si ti]-⸢ni⸣ te-⸢e⸣-li
6 tú-ri-⸢ni-ni dhal⸣-di-⸢i-še⸣ d⸢UTU-ni⸣-[še ma]-ni
7 mì-i [ar-hi] ⸢ú-ru-li⸣-a-⸢ni⸣ mì-i ⸢i⸣-[na-i]-⸢ni⸣
8 mì-⸢i⸣ [na-ra-a a-ú]-⸢i-e ú⸣-[lu]-li
Translation:
(1) R[usa, son of Erimena?] . . . Rusa . . . no one may do . . . and . . .
(4b) (as for the one) who . . . in this place . . . (and) places [his own n]am[e], may the god Haldi (and) the Sun-God annihilate [hi]m and . . . (rest of the curse formula untranslatable).
References:
Salvini, M. 2005. “Urartu. La scoperta di due iscrizioni rupestri in Iran e in Turchia,” SMEA 47, 241–256.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 628–629, v. 3 p. 380, v. 5 p. 355.
Salvini, M. 2012. “Das Corpus der Urartäischen Inschriften,” in Biainili-Urartu, eds. S. Kroll et al., Acta Iranica 51, Leuven, 111–134 (Fig. 08.26)
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007112).
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2005, 2012
Kaisaran (A 14-4)
The three-line rock inscription is located on the mountain overlooking Keşiş Göl from the east, about 300 m above the village of Kaisaran. It was first reported by Lehmann-Haupt, who visited the site in 1898-99. The northeast-facing inscription covers an area 10.5 cm high and 52 cm wide. The short inscription does not mention a ruler’s name. Since two other steles (A 14-1 and A 14-2) around Keşiş Göl were authored by Rusa III, and the word audi in this inscription is otherwise attested only in A 14-1, it may also date from the same period. Salvini suspects it to be a scribal exercise, engraved in a remote location, perhaps during engineering activities for the Keşiş Göl dams.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-ni-i URU-i-e pu-lu-si
2 al-zi-ni-e-i pu-lu-si na-a-ma-ri
3 a-ú-di dhal-di-ni-e-i URU-e-i
Translation:
“A stele of the city of the god Haldi, a stele of alzinai, namari audi of the city of the god Haldi.”
References:
Lehmann-Haupt, C. F. 1911. “Die chaldische Keilinschrift von Kaissaran,” in Huschardzan-Festschrift aus Anlass des 100-jährigen Bestandes der Mechitharisten-Kongregation in Wien, Wien, pp. 253–257.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 629, v. 3 p. 381, v. 5 pp. 355–356.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007113).
CTU A 14-4 = CICh 168 = HchI 79 = UKN 301 = KUKN 482
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008