Körzüt, Muradiye and Van Kalesi (A 5-2A–F)
An inscription of King Minua, celebrating successful campaigns into the lands of Erkuahi and Etiuni and the conquest of the city of Luhiuni, is known from multiple copies. At least two of these copies (A and B) were inscribed on multiple rectangular blocks on the left and right sides of the façade and the entry corridor of the temple at Körzüt Fortress (also known as Pertak Fortress). It is uncertain whether the other copies (C, D, E) originate from the temple at Körzüt or from another temple in the area, possibly in Muradiye. Copy F is known from Van Kalesi.
Copy A is known from nine blocks, one of which is a small fragment. All blocks have a height of 32 to 33 cm. The complete inscription appears to have been written on 11 contiguous blocks in six lines, originally located on the left façade and the left wall of the temple’s entry corridor at Körzüt. Six of the blocks—some in the Van Museum and some once walled up in houses in the villages of Körzüt and Köşk—were identified and published by Dinçol (1976). Some blocks were lost after the 1976 earthquake. A small fragment in the possession of the Istanbul University Archaeological Center in Van was later added by Salvini (CTU v. 3 p. 109 bottom, a). Two blocks forming the beginning of inscription A were excavated in 2023 at Körzüt Fortress, found almost in situ after having fallen forward from their original position on the left corner of the temple façade (Erdoğan and Süğlüm 2024).
Copy B is known from five blocks, all with a height of 32.5 to 33 cm. The complete six-line inscription was likely written on 11 contiguous blocks originally located on the right wall of the entry corridor and the right façade of the temple at Körzüt. Three blocks were found walled up in houses in the village of Köşk, a few km NNW of Körzüt, and were identified by Dinçol (1976). An L-shaped corner block inscribed on four faces is in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. It was discovered in the 1890s while being used as an altar step in the church of Berkri (now Muradiye), and was identified by Salvini (1980) as an indirect join to copy B, belonging to the right jamb of the temple gate. Another block, a direct join to one of the previous blocks from the right side of the temple façade, was excavated in 2023 near the temple area at Körzüt Fortress.
Copy C is known from two blocks and a small fragment. One block was found in the 1890s in the village of Tharr (today Yalındüz), a few km north of Köşk. It is a 37.5 cm-high cornerstone with a six-line inscription on two adjoining sides and a large blank space below the lines. This piece is now in the inventory of the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. A small fragment from Toprakkale appears to join the top left corner of the Tharr block. Another block was found built into a house wall in Körzüt (at least by 2008). The block’s height and the empty space below the lines suggest it may be an indirect join to the Tharr inscription. Copy E, described below, may actually be part of C.
Copy D is known from two non-contiguous rectangular blocks inscribed on their front faces with a six-line inscription. Both blocks are about 30 cm high. In the 1890s, they were found reused as an altarpiece and a step in two separate churches in the village of Anguzek, also known as Güsak (today Topuzarpa). The blocks have been lost along with the churches.
Copy E is known from a single rectangular cornerstone inscribed on two faces with the beginnings of six lines. The block was found in the 1890s, reused as an altar stone in the church of Dzorovank, north of Berkri (Muradiye). Believed lost, it was rediscovered in the 1970s as a step in a house in Muradiye, but was lost again after the 1976 earthquake. It is plausible that this 37 cm-high block constitutes the initial block of copy C.
Copy F differs from the others in find location and layout. It is known from two rectangular stones reused as building blocks in the north side walls of the Van Citadel. Both stones contain only four partial lines belonging to the mid-section of the text known from other copies. Unlike the other copies, this inscription is not written in six lines; Salvini estimates a total of 12 lines written over four rows of stones. Additionally, some words are replaced with Sumerograms.
Transliteration A (after CTU V; Erdoğan and Süğlüm 2024):
1 dhal-di-i-ni-ni uš-ma-a-ši-ni mmì-nu-a-še [m]iš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še a-li i-ú dhal-di-i-⸢na⸣-a-ú-e KÁ i-e-i-me ʾa-a-hu-ú-bi i-ú dhal-di-i-ni-li KÁ ši-du-bi su-lu[-uš-ti-i-a-di] dhal-di-i-e hu-ú-ti-[i-a]-di dhal-di-e-di nu-ú-[na-a-bi mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi KURe-ba]-a-ni uš-ú-ta-a-di-e
2 mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi-i-ni-e-di ha-a-ú-bi URUlu-ú-hi-i-ú-ni-ni mer-e-ku-a-hi-i-ni-e-i KURe-ba-a-ni-i-e KURe-ti-i-ú-ni-ni za-a-áš-gu-ú-bi mmì-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú[-i-ni-e-hi-ni-e-]še a-li-e URUlu-ú-[hi-i]-ú-ni-ni URUpa-a-ta-a-[ri-e LÚe-ri-e-li-nu-si-e mer-e]⸢-ku⸣-ú-a-hi-i-ni-e-i
3 a-li ú-i-e a-i-še-e-i i-ni-e-i qa-ab-qa-ar-šú-la-la-a-ni a-ru-ú-ni dhal-di-i-še mmì-nu-ú-a miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-i-e ha-a-ú-ni URUlu-ú-hi-ú-ni-i-ni ʾa-a-al-[du-ú-ni KUR]e-ti-i-ú-ni-i-ni me[-e-]⸢ši⸣-i-ni pi-e-i 50 a-ti-[bi-e x LIM x ME x ʾa-še(?) LÚú-e-di-a-ni(?) LÚta]⸢-ar⸣-šú-ú-ʾa-a-ni-e
4 a-li-e-ki za-a-áš-gu-ú-bi a-li-e-ki še-e-hi-e-ri a-gu-ú-bi 1 LIM 7 ME 33 ANŠE.KUR.RAMEŠ 7 LIM 6 ME 16 GU4pa-a-hi-i-ni a-ti-i-bi-e 5 LIM 3 ME 20 UDUšú-ú-še i-na-a-ni LÚe[-ri-e-li-i-]e nu-ú-na-a-bi mì-i [a-]⸢li⸣ LÚhu-ra-a-di-i-na-[še ir-bi-tú-ú i-ú KUR-ni áš-ú-la-bi dhal-di-]ni-ni uš-ú-ma-ši-ni
5 mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še a-li tú-sa-a-i URUṭu-ú-uš-pa-a URU ú-te-e a-i-še-e-i LÚe-ri-li-e-še i-za-a-ni LÚú-e-di-a-ni tar-a-i-e pa-a-ra-la-ni gu-ú-[ni mmì-nu-a-še] miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni[-še] ⸢URU⸣lu-hi-ú-ni-a-ni [pa-ru-ni ka-am-ni LÚú-e-di-a-ni(?) x-x-x-]ni-ka-i URUṭu-uš-pa-ni
6 ma-nu LÚú-e-di-i-a-ni-e-i gu-ur-da-ri URUa-e-li-i-a KURdi-ru-ni ú-ni ka-am-ni ʾa-ši-ni-e-i URUa-e-li-i-a ma-nu gu-ur-da-ri URUʾa-al-ṭu-qu-i-a KURṣi-i-a-ad-hi-ni dhal[-di-i-ni-ni al]-su-i-ši-ni mmì-nu-a-ni [miš]-pu-ú-i-ni-hi MAN DAN-NU [MAN al-su-ú-i-ni MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-ú-e ]⸢a⸣-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a URU
Transliteration B (after CTU V; Erdoğan and Süğlüm 2024):
1 [dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-a-ši-ni mmì-nu-a-še m]iš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še a-li i-[ú dhal-di-i-na-a-ú-e] KÁ i-e-i-me [ʾa-a-hu-ú-bi i-ú dhal-di-i-ni-li KÁ ši-du]-bi su-lu-uš-ti-i-a-di dhal-⸢di⸣-i-e hu-ú-ti-i-a-di-e dhal-di-i-e nu-ú-[na-a-bi mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi KURe-ba-a-ni uš-ta-a-di-e]
2 [mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi-i-ni-e-di-i ha-a-ú-bi URUlu]-ú-hi-i-ú-ni-ni mer-e-ku-⸢ú⸣-a-[hi-i-ni-e-i KURe-ba-a]-ni-i-e KURe-[ti-i-ú-ni-ni za-a-áš-gu-ú-bi mmì-nu-ú-a]-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-⸢e⸣-še a-li-e URUlu-ú-hi-i-ú-ni-ni URUpa-a-ta-a-⸢ri⸣[-e LÚe-ri-e-li-nu-si-e mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi-i-ni-e-i]
3 [a-li-e ú-i-e a-i-še-e-i a-ni-e-i qa-ab-qa]-ar-šú-la-la-a-ni a-ru-ú-⸢ni⸣ dhal-[di-i-še mmì-nu-ú-a m]iš-pu-ú-i-[ni-e-hi-ni-i-e ha-a-ú-ni URUlu-ú-hi-ú-ni]-i-⸢ni⸣ ʾa-a-al-du-ú-ni KURe-⸢ti⸣-i-ú-ni-i-ni me-e-ši-i-ni pi-e-i 50 [a-ti-bi-e x LIM x ME x ʾa-še(?) LÚú-e-di-a-ni(?) LÚta-ar-šú-ú-ʾa-a-ni-e]
4 [a-li-e-ki-e za-a-áš-gu-ú-bi a-li-e-ki-e še-hi]-e-ri a-gu-ú-bi 1 LIM 7 ME ⸢33⸣ [ANŠE.KUR.RAMEŠ 7 LIM 6 ME 16] GU4pa-a-hi-i-[ni a-ti-i-bi-e 5 LIM 3 ME 20 UDUšú-ú-še i-na]⸢-a⸣[-ni LÚ]e-ri-e-li-i-e nu-⸢na⸣-a-bi mì-i a-li LÚhu-ra-a-di-i-na-a-še i-ri-i-bi-[tú-ú i-ú KUR-ni áš-ú-la-bi dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni]
5 [mmì-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še a-li tú-]sa-a-i URUṭu-ú-uš-pa-a ⸢URU ú⸣-te-[e a-i-še-e-i LÚe-ri]-li-še i-za-a-[ni LÚú-e-di-a-ni tar-a-i-e pa-a-ra-la]⸢-ni⸣ [gu-ú]-ni mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še URUlu-hi-ú-ni-a-ni pa-ru-ni ka-[am-ni LÚú-e-di-a-ni ʾa-a?-ši-ni-ka-i URUṭu-uš-pa-ni]
6 [ma-nu LÚú-e-di-i-a-ni-e-i gu-ur-da-ri-e URUa-e]-li-i-a KURdi-ru-ni ⸢ú-ni⸣ [ka]-am-[ni ʾa-ši-ni-e-i URU]a-e-li-i-a [ma-nu gu-ur-da-ri URUʾa-al-ṭu-qu-i-a KURṣi-i-a-ad]-⸢hi⸣[-ni dhal]⸢-di⸣-ni-ni al-su-i-ši-⸢ni⸣ mmì-nu-a-ni miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi MAN DAN-NU MAN al-su-ú-i-ni-še [MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-ú-e a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a URU]
Transliteration C (after CTU V):
1 [dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-a-ši-ni mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še a]⸢-li⸣ [i-ú dhal]⸢-di⸣-i-na-a-ú-e KÁ i-e-i-me ʾa-a-⸢hu⸣[-ú-bi i-ú dhal-di-i-ni-li KÁ ši-du-bi] su-lu-[uš-ti-i-a-di dhal-di-i-e hu-ú-ti-i-a-di dhal-di-e-di nu-ú-na-a-bi mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi KURe-ba-a-ni uš-ta-a-di-e]
2 [mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi-i-ni-e-di-i ha-a-ú-bi URUlu-ú-hi-i-ú-ni-ni mer-e]-⸢ku⸣[-a-hi-i-ni-e]⸢-i⸣ KURe-ba-a-ni-i-e KURe-ti-[i-]ú[-ni-ni za-a-áš-gu-ú-bi mmì-nu-ú-a-še] miš-pu-ú-[i-ni-e-hi-ni-e-še a-li-e URUlu-ú-hi-i-ú-ni-ni URUpa-a-ta-a-ri-e LÚe-ri-e-li-nu-si-e mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi-i-ni-e-i]
3 [a-li-e ú-i-e a-i-še-e-i a-ni-e-i qa-ab-qa-ar-šú-la-la-a-ni a-ru]⸢-ú⸣[-ni] ⸢d⸣hal-di-i-še-e mmì-i-nu-ú-[a miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-i-e ha-a-ú-ni] URUlu-ú-hi-[ú-ni-i-ni ʾa-a-al-du-ú-ni KURe-ti-i-ú-ni-i-ni me-e-ši-i-ni pi-e-i 50 a-ti-bi-e x LIM x ME x ʾa-še(?) LÚú-e-di-a-ni(?) LÚta-ar-šú-ú-ʾa-a-ni-e]
4 [a-li-e-ki-e za-a-áš-gu-ú-bi a-li-e-ki-e še-hi-e-ri a-gu-ú-bi] 1 ⸢LIM⸣ [7 ME 33] ANŠE.⸢KUR⸣.RAMEŠ 7 LIM 6 ME 16 GU4pa-a-hi-[i-ni a-ti-i-bi-e 5 LIM 3 ME 20 UDUšú-ú-še] i-na-a-ni [LÚe-ri-e-li-i-e nu-na-a-bi mì-i a-li LÚhu-ra-a-di-i-na-še ir-bi-tú-ú i-ú KUR-ni áš-ú-la-bi dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni]
5 [mmì-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še a-li tú-sa-a-i URUṭu-ú-uš-pa]-a [pa-a-ta]-⸢a⸣-ri-e ú-te-e a-i-še-e-i LÚe-[ri-li-še i-za-a-ni LÚú-e-di-a-ni tar-a-i-]e pa-a-ra-la-[ni gu-ú-ni mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še URUlu-hi-ú-ni-a-ni pa-ru-ni ka-am-ni(?) LÚú-e-di-a-ni ʾa-a?-ši-ni-ka-i URUṭu-uš-pa-ni]
6 [ma-nu LÚú-e-di-i-a-ni-e-i gu-ur-da-ri-e URUa-e-li-i-a KURdi-ru-ni ú-ni] ⸢ka⸣[-am-ni ʾa-]⸢ši⸣-ni-e-i URUa-⸢e⸣-li-i-a ma-nu gu-[ur-da-ri URUʾa-al-ṭu-qu-i-a KURṣi-i-a-ad-hi-ni dhal]-di-i-ni-ni al-[su-i-ši-ni mmì-nu-a-ni miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi MAN DAN-NU MAN al-su-ú-i-ni MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-ú-e a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a URU]
Transliteration D (after CTU V):
1 [dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-a-ši-ni mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še a-li i-ú dhal-di-i-na-a-ú-e KÁ i-e-i-me ʾa-a-hu-ú-bi i-ú dhal-di-i]-ni-li KÁMEŠ [ši-i-]du-ú[-bi su-lu-uš-ti-i-a-di dhal-di-i-e hu-ú-ti-i-a-di dhal-di-e]⸢-di⸣-e nu-[ú-na-a-bi mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi KURe-ba-a-ni uš-ta-a-di-e]
2 [mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi-i-ni-e-di-i ha-a-ú-bi URUlu-ú-hi-i-ú-ni-ni mer-e-ku-a-hi-i-ni-e-i KURe-ba-a-ni-i-e KURe-ti-i-ú-ni-ni za-a-áš-gu-ú-bi mmì]-nu-ú-a-še miš-⸢pu⸣-ú-i-[ni-e-hi-ni-e-še a-li-e URUlu]-ú-[hi-i-ú-ni-ni URU]pa-a-ta-a-[ri-e LÚe-ri-e-li-nu-si-e mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi-i-ni-e-i]
3 [a-li-e ú-i-e a-i-še-e-i a-ni-e-i qa-ab-qa-ar-šú-la-la-a-ni a-ru-ú-ni dhal-di-i-še mmì-nu-ú-a miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-i-e ha-a-ú-ni] URUlu-ú-hi-ú-ni-i-[ni ʾa-a-al-du-ú-ni KURe-ti]-i-[ú-ni-i-ni] me-e-ši-i-ni [pi-e-i 50 a-ti-bi-e x LIM x ME x ʾa-še(?) LÚú-e-di-a-ni(?) LÚta-ar-šú-ú-ʾa-a-ni-e]
4 [a-li-e-ki-e za-a-áš-gu-ú-bi a-li-e-ki-e še-hi-e-ri a-gu-ú-bi 1 LIM 7 ME 33 ANŠE.KUR.RAMEŠ 7 LIM 6 ME 16 GU4pa-a-hi-i-ni a-ti-i-bi-e 5 LIM 3 ME 20 UDUšú-ú-še i]-na-a-ni-e LÚe-ri-e-li-[i-e nu-ú-na-a-bi] mì-i [a-li] LÚhu-ú-ra-[a-di-i-na-še ir-bi-tú-ú i-ú KUR-ni áš-ú-la-bi dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni]
5 [mmì-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še a-li tú-sa-a-i URUṭu-ú-uš-pa-a URU ú-te-e a-i-še-e-i LÚe-ri-li-še i-za-a-ni LÚú-e-di-a-ni tar-a-i-e] pa-a-ra-la-a-ni gu-ú-ni m[mì-nu-a-še miš-pu-ú-i]-ni-e-hi-ni-še URUlu-hi-i-ú-ni[-a-ni pa-ru-ni ka-am-ni(?) LÚú-e-di-a-ni ʾa-a?-ši-ni-ka-i URUṭu-uš-pa-ni]
6 [ma-nu LÚú-e-di-i-a-ni-e-i gu-ur-da-ri-e URUa-e-li-i-a KURdi-ru-ni ú-ni ka-am-ni ʾa-ši-ni-e-i URUa-e-li-i-a ma-nu gu-ur-da-ri URUʾa-al-ṭu-qu-i-a KURṣi-i-a-ad-hi-ni] dhal-di-i-ni-ni al-su-i-[ši-ni mmì-nu-a-ni miš-pu-ú]-i-ni-e-hi MAN DAN-NU MAN al-su-ú-[i-ni MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-ú-e a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a URU]
Transliteration E (after CTU V):
1 dhal-di-i-ni-ni ⸢uš⸣-ma-a-ši-i-ni mmì-nu-[a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še a-li i-ú dhal-di-i-na-a-ú-e KÁ i-e-i-me ʾa-a-hu-ú-bi i-ú dhal-di-i-ni-li KÁ ši-du-bi su-lu-uš-ti-i-a-di dhal-di-i-e hu-ú-ti-i-a-di dhal-di-e-di nu-ú-na-a-bi mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi KURe-ba-a-ni uš-ta-a-di-e]
2 mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi-i-ni-e-di-i ha-a-[ú-bi URUlu-ú-hi-i-ú-ni-ni mer-e-ku-a-hi-i-ni-e-i KURe-ba-a-ni-i-e KURe-ti-i-ú-ni-ni za-a-áš-gu-ú-bi mmì-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-e-še a-li-e URUlu-ú-hi-i-ú-ni-ni URUpa-a-ta-a-ri-e LÚe-ri-e-li-nu-si-e mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi-i-ni-e-i]
3 a-li-e ú-i-e a-i-še-e-i a-ni-e-i [qa-ab-qa-ar-šú-la-la-a-ni a-ru-ú-ni dhal-di-i-še mmì-nu-ú-a miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-i-e ha-a-ú-ni URUlu-ú-hi-ú-ni-i-ni ʾa-a-al-du-ú-ni KURe-ti-i-ú-ni-i-ni me-e-ši-i-ni pi-e-i 50 a-ti-bi-e x LIM x ME x ʾa-še(?) LÚú-e-di-a-ni(?) LÚta-ar-šú-ú-ʾa-a-ni-e]
4 a-li-e-ki-e za-[a-]áš-gu-ú-bi-e a-li-e-[ki-e še-hi-e-ri a-gu-ú-bi 1 LIM 7 ME 33 ANŠE.KUR.RAMEŠ 7 LIM 6 ME 16 GU4pa-a-hi-i-ni a-ti-i-bi-e 5 LIM 3 ME 20 UDUšú-ú-še i-na-a-ni LÚe-ri-e-li-i-e nu-na-a-bi mì-i a-li LÚhu-ra-a-di-i-na-še ir-bi-tú-ú i-ú KUR-ni áš-ú-la-bi dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni]
5 mmì-nu-ú-a-še miš-[pu-]ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še [a-li tú-sa-a-i URUṭu-ú-uš-pa-a URU ú-te-e a-i-še-e-i LÚe-ri-li-še i-za-a-ni LÚú-e-di-a-ni tar-a-i-e pa-a-ra-la-ni gu-ú-ni mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še URUlu-hi-ú-ni-a-ni pa-ru-ni ka-am-ni LÚú-e-di-a-ni ʾa-a?-ši-ni-ka-i URUṭu-uš-pa-ni]
6 ma-nu LÚú-e-di-i-[a]-ni-e-i gu-ur-da-ri-[e URUa-e-li-i-a KURdi-ru-ni ú-ni ka-am-ni ʾa-ši-ni-e-i URUa-e-li-i-a ma-nu gu-ur-da-ri URUʾa-al-ṭu-qu-i-a KURṣi-i-a-ad-hi-ni dhal-di-i-ni-ni al-su-i-ši-ni mmì-nu-a-ni miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi MAN DAN-NU MAN al-su-ú-i-ni MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-ú-e a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a URU]
Transliteration F (CTU V):
l’ [ . . . URUlu-ú-hi-i-ú-]⸢ni⸣-ni URU MAN-⸢si⸣[ mer-e-ku-ú-a-hi-i-ni-e-i a-li-e ú-i a-i-še-e-i a-ni-e-i qa]-ab-qa-⸢ar⸣-[šú-la-la-ni a-ru-ú-ni dhal-di-i-še]
2′ [mmì-i-nu-ú-a miš]-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-[ni-i-e ha-a-ú-ni URUlu-ú-hi-ú-ni-i]-ni ʾa-a-a[l-d]u-[ú-ni KURe-ti-i-ú-ni-i-ni me-e-ši-i-ni pi-e-i]
3′ [50 a-ti-bi-e x LIM x ME x ʾa-še(?) LÚú-e-di-a-ni(?)] LÚta-ar-[šú-ú-ʾa-ni a-li-ki4 za-áš-gu-ú-bi-e a]-li-ki4 še-⸢hi⸣[-e-ri a-gu-ú-bi 1 LIM 7 ME 33]
4′ [ANŠE.KUR.RAMEŠ 7 LIM 6 ME] ⸢16⸣ GU4pa-hi-ni [a-ti-i-bi-e 5 LIM 3 ME 20 UDUšú-ú-še i-na-a]-ni MAN nu-⸢na-⸣[a-bi . . .
Translation (after eCUT)
“(1) Through the protection of the god Haldi Minua, son of Išpuini, says: when I lay (lit. gathered/compiled) the foundation of the gate of the god Haldi, when I built the gate of the god Haldi, I prostrated before the god Haldi. I prayed to the god Haldi. I ca[me] to the [la]nd [of the Erkuahi]; I went to war against the tribe Erkuahi, I conquered the city Luhiuni of the land of the Erkuahi, I devastated the land Etiuni. (2b) Minua, son of of Išpuini, says: the city Luhiuni, ci[ty of the royalty of the Er]kuahi, which nobody had (ever) besieged (before), the god Haldi gave it to Minua, son of Išpuini. He took Luhiuni (and) put the land Etiuni under tri[bu]te. (3b) 50 myr[iad + x thousand and x hundred of men and women, pe]ople; some I killed, some I deported alive. 1733 horses, 7616 oxen, 15320 sheep arrived from there to the king, save for what the soldiers [plundered when I occupied? the land]. (4b) Through the protection of [the god Haldi] Minua, son of Išpuini, says: the harem(?) of the city Ṭušpa (where) no king before(?) had brought so many women, indeed Minua, son of Išpuini, brought from the city Luhiuni. (5b) …the women(?) … in front of … the city Ṭušpa are gurdari of the women in the city Aelia of the land Diruni; … ašinie in the city Aelia are gurdari in the city ʾAlṭuquia of the land Ṣiadhini. Through the greatness of the god Haldi I am Minua, son of Išpuini, strong king, great king, [king of the Bia lands,] lord of Ṭušpa-City.”
References:
Dan, R. 2024. “Old Data and New Investigations. The Urartian and Orontid Fortress of Körzüt in Muradiye Plain, Turkey”. Armeniaca 3, 9–40, (Fig. 3 & Fig. 16)
Dinçol, A. M. 1976. “Die neuen urartäischen Inschriften aus Körzüt,” Istanbuler Mitteilungen 26, 19–30 and Plts. 3–5.
Dinçol, A. M. & E. Kavaklı. 1978. “Van bölgesinde bulunmuş yeni Urartu yazıtları / Die neuen Urartaeischen Inschriften aus der Umgebung von Van,” Jahrbuch für kleinasiatische Forschungen Beiheft 1, İstanbul. (Plt. XV).
Erdoğan, S. & A. Süğlüm. 2024. “Recently Discovered Urartian Cuneiform Inscriptions in the Temple of the Körzüt Fortress,” Anadolu Araştırmaları 31, 145–169.
Lehmann-Haupt, C. F. 1928–1935. Corpus Inscriptionum Chaldicarum, Berlin-Leipzig (Fig. 7, Plts. XV, XXII, XXIII).
Salvini, M. 1980. “Un testo celebrativo di Menua,” SMEA 22, 137–168.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 184–189, v. 3 pp. 107–116, v. 5 pp. 100–105.
Salvini, M. 2025. “Written Documents of Ṭušpa,” in Ṭušpa: the Capital of Urartu, eds. E. Konyar & B. Genç, CHANE 143, Leiden, pp. 114–211 (Fig. 4.19).
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006900).
CTU A 5-2B = CICh 25 = HchI 18b = UKN 34 = KUKN 51
CTU A 5-2C = CICh 30, 173a = HchI 20, Inc 7a = UKN 38, 306a = KUKN 55, 488
CTU A 5-2D = CICh 23–24 = HchI 19a–b = UKN 32–33 = KUKN 49–50
CTU A 5-2E = CICh 26 = HchI 18a = UKN 35 = KUKN 52
CTU A 5-2F = KUKN 466
Image Sources:
C. F. Lehmann-Haupt, 1928–1935
A. M. Dinçol, 1976
A. M. Dinçol & E. Kavaklı, 1978
M. Salvini, 2008, 2025
R. Dan, 2024
S. Erdoğan & A. Süğlüm, 2024
Tayfun Bilgin, 2025
Τopuzarpa (A 5-33)
The basalt stele was found in 1891 by W. Belck, walled up in the ruins of the “new church” (one of the two churches) in the village of Anguzek (now Topuzarpa). Once thought to be lost, it was rediscovered in 2017 during a survey in the same village, and the stele is now displayed in the Van Museum.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-i-e
2 e-ú-ri-e i-ni
3 pu-lu-si mmì-nu-a-še
4 miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-še
5 ⸢ku⸣-ú-gu-ú-ni i-ú
6 dhal-di-i-ni-li KÁ
7 ši-di-iš-tú-ú-a-li
8 É.GAL ši-di-iš-tú-ni
9 ba-a-du-ú-si-i-e
10 te-ru-ni dhal-di-i
11 pa-a-ta-ri ti-i-ni
12 te-ru-ni i-ni GIŠul-di
13 te-ru-ni GIŠza-a-ri-e
14 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-i
15 ⸢GIŠ⸣ul-di-e ti-i-ni
16 dhal-di-i-ni-ni
17 al-su-ú-i-ši-ni
18 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-ni
19 miš-pu-u-i-ni-e-hi
20 MAN DAN-NU MAN al-su-i-ni
21 MAN KURbi-a-i-na-ú-e
22 a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a URU
23 mmì-nu-a-še a-li-e
24 a-še GIŠul-di ⸢te⸣-šú-li-e
25 GU4 3 UDU dhal-di-e
26 ur-pu-ú-li-i-ni
27 ha-lu-li áš-hu-li-ni
28 e-ʾa dhal-di-na-a ⸢KÁ⸣
29 e-ʾa pu-lu-si-ni-ka-i
30 [a]-še GEŠTINMEŠ šú-ú-hi-e
31 ⸢ʾa⸣-hu-li-e qar-me-hi
32 ⸢d⸣hal-di-e áš-hu-li-ni
33 ⸢d⸣hal-di-i-na-a KÁ
34 ⸢qar⸣-me-hi dʾa-ru-ba-ni
35 ⸢qar⸣-me-hi dhal-di-i-e
36 ⸢pu⸣-ú-lu-si-ni-ka-i
Translation:
“(1) For the god Haldi, the (or: his) Lord, Minua, son of Išpuini, erected this stele. (5b) When he built a gate of the god Haldi he built (also) a fortress to perfection. (10) He gave it the name ‘City of the god Haldi’. (12) He planted this vineyard, (and) he planted an orchard. (14) ‘Vineyard of Minua’ is (its) name. (16) Through the greatness of the god Haldi, (18) (I am) Minua, son of Išpuini, (20) strong king, great king, king of the Bia lands, (22) lord of Ṭušpa-City. (23) Minua says: when they harvest the vineyard, (25) they shall sacrifice one ox and 3 sheep for the god Haldi, they shall offer the fruit(s) (28) both at the gate of the god Haldi and in front of the stele. (30) When they gather the new grapes, a libation(?) shall be offered for the god Haldi and the gate of the god Haldi, (34) a [li]bation(?) for the goddess ʾArubani, and a libation(?) for the god Haldi in front of the stele.”
References:
Işık, K. & B. Genç. 2021. “On a Place Name in Urartian Studies and a New Inscription with an Urartian Expression: qudulani šuhinaṣi,” Anatolia Antiqua 29, 1–11.
Lehmann-Haupt, C. F. 1928–1935. Corpus Inscriptionum Chaldicarum, Berlin-Leipzig (No. 56).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 224–225, v. 3 p. 143, v. 5 p. 140.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006931).
CTU A 5-33 = CICh 56 = HchI 41 = UKN 65 = KUKN 82
Image Sources:
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Uluşar (A 5-35)
In the 1890s, the stone with a ten-line inscription was reportedly located in a mill near the village of Kordsot/Körzüt (today Uluşar), at the southern end of the Muradiye plain. It has been lost since then and is known only from copies.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-i-ni-ni
2 uš-ma-ši-ni mmì-nu-a-še
3 miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-še
4 i-ni É.GAL ši-di-iš-tú-ni
5 ba-du-si-e dhal-di-ni-ni
6 al-su-ši-ni mmì-nu-a-ni
7 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi
8 MAN DAN-NU MAN al-su-i-ni
9 MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-ú-e
10 a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa ⸢URU⸣
Translation:
“(1) Through the protection of the god Haldi Minua, son of Išpuini, (4) built this fortress to perfection. (5b) Through the greatness of the god Haldi (I am) Minua, (7) son of Išpuini, strong king, great king, (9) king of the Bia lands, lord of Ṭušpa-City.”
References:
König, F. W. 1955. Handbuch der Chaldischen Inschriften, Graz (No. 42).
Lehmann-Haupt, C. F. 1928–1935. Corpus Inscriptionum Chaldicarum, Berlin-Leipzig (Plt. LVI).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 226, v. 3 p. 144, v. 5 p. 141.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006933).
CTU A 5-35 = CICh 58 = HchI 42 = UKN 67 = KUKN 84
Image Sources:
C. F. Lehmann-Haupt, 1928–1935
Topuzarpa (A 5-36)
The stone block with a ten-line inscription was found in 1891 by W. Belck, walled up in the ruins of the “new church” (one of the two churches) in the village of Anguzek (now Topuzarpa). It has been lost since then and is known only from copies. The block probably originated from the susi temple at Pértak (Körzüt) Fortress, which is referred to in the inscription as the “city of the god Haldi.”
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-e e-ú-ri-e
2 i-ni É mmì-i-nu-a-še
3 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še
4 ši-di-iš-tú-ni ba-du-si-e
5 e-ʾa É.GAL ši-di-iš-tú-⸢ni⸣
6 te-ru-ni dhal-di-i URU ti-[ni]
7 dhal-di-ni-ni al-su-ši-[ni]
8 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-ni MAN ⸢DAN⸣-[NU]
9 MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-⸢ú⸣-[e]
10 a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-[pa-a URU]
Translation:
“(1) For the god Haldi, the (or: his) Lord, Minua, son of Išpuini, built this building to perfection. (5) He also built a fortress, (6) and he gave it the name ‘City of the god Haldi’. (7) Through the greatness of the god Haldi (I am) Minua, strong king, (9) king of the Bia lands, lord of Ṭušpa-City.”
References:
Lehmann-Haupt, C. F. 1928–1935. Corpus Inscriptionum Chaldicarum, Berlin-Leipzig (No. 70).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 226–227, v. 3 p. 144 (wrong image), v. 5 pp. 141–142.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006934).
CTU A 5-36 = CICh 70 = HchI 58 = UKN 66 = KUKN 83
Image Sources:
C. F. Lehmann-Haupt, 1928–1935
Körzüt (A 5-56)
The fragmentary slab was seen in the early 1980s in a field between the village of Körzüt and Körzüt Fortress. It has not been sighted since, and the inscription is known only from photographs.
Transliteration:
1 [dhal]-⸢di⸣-[ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni]
2 [mmì]-nu-a-še m[iš-pu-i]-⸢ni-hi⸣-[ni-še]
3 [i]-ni É [ši-i]-di-iš-[tú-ni]
4 [ba]-⸢du⸣-si-e MAN ⸢KURbi-i⸣-a-⸢i⸣-[na-ú-e]
5 [a]-⸢lu⸣-si URUṭu-uš-⸢pa⸣-[e URU]
6 [mmì]-⸢nu-a-še⸣ a-[li]-e [a-lu-še]
7 [i-ni] DUB-⸢te⸣ [tú-li-i-e]
8 ⸢a-lu⸣-[še] ú-[li-e-še ti-ú-li-e]
9 [i]-⸢e-še⸣ za-⸢du⸣-[bi tú-ri-ni-ni]
10 [d]⸢hal-di⸣-[še dIM-še dUTU-še]
11 [ma-a-ni dUTU-ni pi-e-i-ni]
Translation:
“(1) [Through the protection of the god Hald]i, [Mi]nua, son of [Išpui]ni, (3) [b]ui[lt th]is building to [per]fection. (4) King [of] the Bia land[s, lo]rd of the Ṭušp[a-City]. (6) [Mi]nua sa[y]s: [(as for the one) who destroys this] inscription, (8) (as for the one) wh[o] [says]: I [m]ad[e] (this), (9) [let] the god Haldi, [the Weather-God and the Sun-God annihilate him under the sun].”
References:
Başgelen, N. & M. R. Payne. 2009. “Körzüt’ten Urartu dönemi’ne ait bir kale yazıtı,” in A Life Dedicated to Urartu on the Shores of the Upper Sea (Fs Çilingiroğlu), eds. H. Sağlamtimur et al., Istanbul, pp. 125–132.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 240, v. 5 p. 158.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006954).
Image Sources:
N. Başgelen & M. R. Payne, 2009
Topuzarpa (A 5-105?)
The rectangular basalt building block was discovered in 2017 during a survey in the village of Topuzarpa (old Anguzek) within the garden of a private house where the ruins of an old church was located. Like other inscriptions found in this village, it likely originated from the Körzüt Fortress. The block measures 32 cm in height, 66.5 cm in width and 50 cm in depth. It is probably transferred to the Van Museum.
Transliteration (Işık and Genç, 2021):
1 mmì-nu-ú-a-še a-li
2 qu-ú-du-la-a-ni-e
3 šú-ú-hi-i-na-a-ṣi-e
4 UDU.MÁŠ.TUR dhal-di-e
5 ni-ip-si-du-li-i-ni
6 GU4 3 UDU dhal-di ŠUM
7 GU4.ÁB 2 UDUMEŠ-li
8 dʾa-ru-ba-i-ni
Translation (Işık and Genç, 2021):
“(1) Minua says: In (occasion of) new buildings/constructions(?) a kid has to be slaughtered (sacrificed) to God Haldi, (6) One ox and three sheep must be sacrificed to God Haldi, one cow and two sheep(s) (sacrificed) to Goddess Warubani.”
References:
Işık, K. & B. Genç. 2021. “On a Place Name in Urartian Studies and a New Inscription with an Urartian Expression: qudulani šuḫinaṣi,” Anatolia Antiqua 29, 1–11.
Image Sources:
K. Işık & B. Genç, 2021