Aznavurtepe (A 2-10)
The cylindrical stone, likely a column base, was found in a secondary context in a church in Patnos. It most likely originated from the Urartian fortress Aznavurtepe located about 2 km northwest of the town. The block is 43 cm in height and has a diameter of 75 cm. It bears a partially damaged two-line inscription and is currently in the inventory of the Van Museum.
Transliteration:
l dhal-di-ni-ni uš-m[a-ši-n]i ⸢miš-pu-ú⸣-i-ni-še mdsar5-d[u]-ri-[hi-ni-še i-ni . . . ši-di]-iš[tú-ni i-nu-ki ba-du-si-ni be-di ú-i gi-e-i]
2 ši-da-ú-ri miš-pu-ú-i-ni-še mdsar5-du-r[i-hi-ni-še i-ni . . . ] ši-di-iš-tú-ni
Translation:
“Through the protec[tion] of the god Haldi, Išpuini, [son of] Sarduri, [bu]il[t this … Nothing] had (ever) been built to this perfection (before). Išpuini, [son of] Sarduri, built [this … ].”
References:
Güterbock, H. G. 1963. “Urartian Inscriptions in the Museum of Van,” JNES 22, 268–272 (268–269).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 115, v. 3 p. 65, v. 5 pp. 52–53.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006885).
CTU A 2-10 = CICh 7+9 = HchI 5b = UKN II 14+16 = KUKN 17, 18
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Patnos(?) (A 3-12)
The rectangular basalt block appears to be the right-hand piece of a 14-line inscription spread across two blocks. The inscription by Išpuini and Minua probably concerns the construction of a temple. It measures 37 cm in height, 57 cm in width, and 47 cm in depth. The block is on display at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. Işık (2021: 160) suggests the block’s actual origin might be the Avnik region, where he suspects the cult center for the god Ua was located.
Transliteration:
1 [ dhal-di-ni-ni] ⸢uš⸣-ma-a-ši-⸢ni⸣
2 [miš-pu-ú-i-ni-še md]sar5-du-ri-<<ri>>-e-⸢hi-ni-še⸣
3 [mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-ú]-i-ni-e-hi-⸢ni-še⸣
4 [ dú-a-i su-si-e? ši]-di-iš-tú-⸢ni⸣
5 [ba-du-si-e ma-ni-ni d]⸢hal⸣-di-ni bi-di-ni
6 [ dú-a bi-di-ni dú-a-i?]-na-a-ni KÁ bi-di-ni
7 [miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e md]sar5-du-ri-e-hi-ni-e
8 [mmì-nu-a miš-pu-ú]-i-ni-e-hi-ni-i-e
9 [mi-nu-uš-pu-ú-a?] ⸢m⸣mì-nu-a-hi-ni-i-e
10 [ma-ni-ni? ul]-⸢gu⸣-ú-še pi-ṣu-ši-e
11 [al-su-i-še qu]-du-la-ni šú-hi-na-ṣi
12 [GU4 dhal-di-e?] ur-pu-li-ni
13 [GU4 dú-a UDU? d]⸢ú⸣-a-i-na-ú-e KÁ
14 [x x x x x]-x-e ú-ri-iš-hi-i-e
Translation:
“(1) Through the protection [of the god Haldi, Išpuini], son of Sarduri (3) [and Minua], son of [Išpu]ini, [b]uilt [a tower temple (susi) of the god Ua to perfection]. (5b) On behalf of the god [Ha]ldi [on behalf of the god Ua], on behalf of the gate [of the god Ua may (there) be li]fe, joy, [greatness for Išpuini], son of Sarduri, [and for Minua], son of [Išpu]ini, [and for Inušpua(?)], son of Minua. (11b) In (time of) new foundations(?) may one sacrifice [one ox for the god Haldi?, one ox for the god Ua, one sheep(?)] for the gate of the god Ua [and one ox?] for the property(?) [. . .].”
References:
Işık, K. 2021. “A recently discovered Urartian stele dedicated to the god Ua from Avnik/Erzurum in East Turkey,” AJNES 15, 156–162 (160).
Salvini, M. 1993. “Una dedica di Išpuini e Minua al dio Ua,” SMEA 31, 143–148 and Plt. I.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 144–145, v. 3 pp. 98–99, v. 5 pp. 75–78.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006897).
CTU A 3-12 = KUKN 38b
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Aznavurtepe (A 5-11A–B)
Following tips about an illegal excavation, two duplicates of an inscription of King Minua were found in situ in the late 1950s. Each was written on two blocks positioned on the right and left sides of the gateway of a temple building in the citadel of Aznavurtepe. The dimensions of the four blocks vary between 56 and 62 cm in height and 93 and 123 cm in width. At least one of the blocks is now in the Erzurum Museum, while the others were left in situ. Other than a few spelling differences, the inscriptions are identical and describe the military successes of Minua.
Transliteration A (eCUT):
1 dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni mmì-nu-a-še
2 miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-še dhal-di-ni-li KÁ
3 ši-di-iš-tú-a-li URUa-lu-di-ri-i-e
4 É.GAL ši-di-iš-tú-ni ba-du-si-i-e
5 dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni dhal-di-ni-ni ba-a-u-ši-ni
6 mmì-nu-a-ni miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hé
7 i-ú LÚa-te-i-ni e-si na-ha-a-be KURšá-ti-ru-ú-ni
8 du-ur-ba-i-e ma-nu dhal-di-ni uš-ta-a-be ma-si-ni
9 šú-ri-e ka-ru-ni URUhu-ra-di-na-ku-ú-ni ka-ru-ni
10 URUgi-di-ma-ru-ú-ni ka-ru-ni KURšá-ti-ru-ú-i
11 KURe-ba-a-ni dhal-di-ni ku-ru-ni dhal-di-ni-e
12 šú-ri-i ku-ru-ni dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-a-ši-ni
13 uš-ta-a-be mmì-nu-a-ni miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hé
14 ha-ú-ni URUhu-ra-di-na-ku-ú-ni URUgi-di-ma-ru-ú-ni ha-a-ú-ni
15 KURšá-ti-ru-ú-i KURe-ba-a-ni-i URUtar-zu-ʾa-a-na-a-na-ni ku-ṭu-ni
16 pa-ri KURbu-uš-tú-ú-e pa-ri KURma-al-ma-li-i-e
17 URUhu-ra-di-na-ku-ú-ni še-ra-a-še
18 MANMEŠ-še qa-ab-qa-ar-šú-ú-tú-ú
19 ú-te a-i-še-e-i ha-a-i-a-la-a-ni
20 a-ru-ni-e dhal-di-še mmì-i-nu-ú-a
21 miš-pu-u-i-ni-e-hi-ni-e ha-ú-ni URUhu-ra-di-na-ku-ni
22 za-áš-gu-ni i-ku-ka-a-ni MU KURal-zi-e du-ur-ba-i-e
23 ma-nu ú-lu-uš-ta-be dhal-di-ni mmì-nu-a miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-e
24 za-áš-gu-ni URUqu-ṭu-me-e ha-ú-ni KURal-zi-e ha-ú-ni
25 KURšá-áš-nu-ú-i-ni-i KURe-ba-a-ni ši-di-iš-tú-ni É.GAL
26 URUqu-ṭu-me-e dhal-di-ni u-di-da-be dU dUTU DINGIRMEŠ Á qi-u-ra-ni
27 hi-šá-ni-be GÁNMEŠ Ú.ŠE gu-u-nu-u-i-e i-ni-e-i GIŠul-di-e
28 na-hi-be KURšú-ri-li pi-ṣa-di-a-li mmì-nu-a-i-ni-e ir-nu-tú-hi-e
Transliteration B (CTU V):
1 dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-še dhal-di-ni-li KÁ
2 ši-di-iš-tú-a-li URUa-lu-di-ri-i-e É.GAL ši-di-iš-tú-ni ba-du-si-i-e
3 dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni dhal-di-ni-ni ba-a-u-ši-ni
4 mmì-nu-a-ni miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hé
5 i-ú LÚa-te-i-ni e-si na-ha-a-be KURšá-ti-ru-ú-ni
6 du-ur-ba-i-e ma-nu dhal-di-ni uš-ta-a-be ma-si-ni
7 šú-ri-e ka-ru-ni URUhu-ra-di-na-ku-ú-ni ka-ru-ni
8 URUgi-di-ma-ru-ú-ni ka-ru-ni KURšá-ti-ru-ú-i
9 KURe-ba-a-ni dhal-di-ni ku-ru-ni dhal-di-ni-e
10 šú-ri-i ku-ru-ni dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-a-ši-ni
11 uš-ta-a-be mmì-nu-a-ni miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hé
12 ha-u-ni URUhu-ra-di-na-ku-u-ni URUgi-di-ma-ru-ni ha-ú-ni
13 KURšá-ti-ru-u-i KURe-ba-a-ni-i URUtar-zu-ʾa-na-a-na-ni ku-ṭu-ni
14 pa-ri KURbu-uš-tú-u-e pa-ri KURma-al-ma-li-i-e
15 URUhu-ra-di-na-ku-u-ni še-ra-a-še MANMEŠ-še qa-ab-qa-ar-šú-u-tú-u
16 ú-te a-i-še-e-i ha-a-i-a-la-a-ni
17 a-ru-ni-e dhal-di-še mmì-i-nu-ú-a
18 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-e ha-a-ú-ni
19 URUhu-ra-di-na-ku-ú-ni za-áš-gu-ú-ni
20 i-ku-ka-a-ni MU KURal-zi-e du-ru-ba-i-e
21 ma-nu ú-lu-uš-ta-i-be dhal-di-ni mmì-nu-a
22 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-e za-áš-gu-ú-ni
23 URUqu-ṭu-me-e ha-ú-ni KURal-zi-e ha-u-ni
24 KURšá-áš-nu-ú-i-ni-i KURe-ba-a-ni
25 ši-di-iš-tú-ni É.GAL URUqu-ṭu-me-e dhal-di-ni
26 ú-di-da-be dU dUTU DINGIRMEŠ Á qi-ú-ra-ni
27 hi-šá-ni-be GÁNMEŠ Ú.ŠE gu-u-nu-u-i-e i-ni-e-i
28 GIŠul-di-e na-a-hi-i-be
29 KURšú-ri-li pi-ṣa-di-a-li
30 mmì-nu-a-i-ni-e ir-nu-tú-hi-e
Translation A:
“(1) Through the protection of the god Haldi, Minua, son of Išpuini, built a gate of the god Haldi in the city Aludiri. (4) He (also) built a fortress to perfection. (5) Through the protection of the god Haldi, by the command of the god Haldi Minua, son of Išpuini, (7) when he sat down on the throne of his father the land Šatiru became rebellious. (8b) The god Haldi set off with his weapon, he defeated the city Huradinakuni, he defeated the city Gidimaruni, he defeated the land Šatiru.
(11) Behind(?) the god Haldi, behind(?) the weapon of the god Haldi, (12) through the protection of the god Haldi Minua, son of Išpuini, set off. (14) He conquered the city Huradinakuni and the city Gidimaruni, he conquered the land Šatiru.
(15b) From the city Tarzuʾanana he came to the land Buštu, and to the land Malmali. (17) Several kings had besieged the city Huradinakuni, but nobody had conquered it. (20b) The god Haldi gave it to Minua, son of Išpuini. (21b) He conquered the city Huradinakuni and destroyed it. In the same year the land Alzi became rebellious. (23) The god Haldi marched ahead. Minua, son of Išpuini, destroyed the city Quṭume, he conquered the land Alzi and the territory of the land Šašnu. He built a fortress in the city Quṭume. (26b) The god Haldi was helpful. The Weather-God, Sun-God, (and all) the gods for the benefit(?) of the land let thrive(?) fields of grain . . . and laid out vineyards. The lands rejoiced about the justice(?) of Minua.”
References:
Balkan, K. 1960. “Ein urartäischer Tempel auf Anzavurtepe bei Patnos und hier entdeckte Inschriften / Patnos Yakınında Anzavurtepe’de Bulunan Urartu Tapınağı ve Kitabeleri,” Anadolu /Anatolia 5, 99–158 (Nos. 1–2; 114–123, 125–128 /149–156).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 201–203, v. 3 pp. 124–126, v. 5 pp. 118–120.
van Loon, M. 1983. “Teksten uit Urartu uit de 9e-8e eeuw v. Chr.” in Schrijvend verleden. Documenten uit het oute Nabije Oosten verrtaald en toegelicht, ed. K. R. Veenhof, Leiden, 32–45 (Fig. 4).
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006909).
CTU A 5-11A–B = UKN II 372–373 = KUKN 148–149
Image Sources:
K. Balkan, 1960
M. van Loon, 1983
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Patnos(?) (A 5-25)
The round-topped basalt stele is suspected to originate from Patnos in the province of Ağrı. Its front side is inscribed with two copies of the same text (lines 1–16 and 18–32), celebrating the building of a gate and a fortress. The bottom section of the reverse side is inscribed with a curse formula. The upper part of the reverse was originally blank but was later carved with a relief for use as a gravestone. The stele is 191 cm high, 58 cm wide, and 29 cm thick. It is in the inventory of the Van Museum.
Transliteration:
obverse
1 dhal-di-e e-ú-ri-e
2 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še
3 miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-še
4 i-ni pu-lu-si ku-gu-ni
5 e-ʾa dhal-di-ni-li
6 KÁ ši-di-iš-tú-ú-a-li
7 É.GAL ši-di-iš-tú-ni
8 ⸢ba⸣-a-du-ú-si-i-e
9 dhal-di-i-ni-ni-e
10 al-su-u-i-ši-i-ni-e
11 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-ni
12 miš-pu-u-i-ni-e-hé
13 MAN DAN-NU MAN al-su-i-ni
14 MAN KURšú-ú-ra-a-ú-e
15 MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-ú-e
16 a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-e URU
17 dhal-di-e e-ú-ri-e
18 i-ni NA4pu-lu-ú-si-e
19 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še
20 miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-še
21 ku-gu-ni É.GAL-a-ni
22 ši-di-iš-tú-ú-ni
23 ba-du-si-e te-ru-ni
24 mmì-nu-a-hi-ni-li
25 ti-i-ni dhal-di-ni-ni
26 al-su-ú-ši-i-ni
27 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-ni
28 miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi
29 MAN DAN-NU MAN al-su-i-ni
30 MAN KURbi-i-a-i-na-ú-e
31 a-lu-ú-si-e
32 URUṭu-uš-pa-e URU
reverse
1 mmì-nu-ú-a-še a-li
2 a-lu-še i-ni DUB-te-e
3 ⸢pi⸣-i-tú-ú-li-i-e
4 a-lu-še tú-ú-li-i-e
5 a-lu-še ú-li-e
6 i-ni-e-li du-li-e
7 tú-ú-ri-i-ni-ni-i
8 dhal-di-i-še ma-a-ni
9 dUTU-ni ⸢pi⸣-e-i-ni mì-i
10 ar-hi ú-ru-li-a-ni
11 mì-i i-na-a-i-ni-i
12 mì-i na-ra a-ú-i-⸢e⸣
13 ú-lu-ú-li-⸢e⸣
Translation:
“(obv. 1) For the god Haldi, (his) lord, Minua, (3) son of Išpuini, erected this stele. (5) He also built a gate of the god Haldi and a fortress to perfection. (9) Through the greatness of the god Haldi (11) (I am) Minua, son of Išpuini, (13) strong king, great king, king of the lands, king of the Bia lands, (16) lord of Ṭušpa-City. (17) For the god Haldi, the (or: his) Lord, Minua, son of Išpuini, erected this stele. (21) He also built a fortress to perfection. (23) He gave it the name ‘the Minuan’ (25) Through the greatness of the god Haldi (I am) Minua, son of Išpuini, (29) strong king, great king, king of the lands, king of the Bia lands, lord of Ṭušpa-City.
(rev. 1) Minua says: ‘(As for the one) who destroys this inscription, (4) (as for the one) who damages it, (as for the one) who who makes anyone else do these things, (7) may the god Haldi annihilate him under the sun! …’ (rest of the curse formula untranslatable)”
References:
Hulin, P. 1958. “Urartian Stones in the Van Museum,” Anatolian Studies 8, 235–244.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 216–218, v. 3 p. 139, v. 5 pp. 132–133.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006923).
CTU A 5-25 = HchI 136 = UKN II 376 = KUKN 101
Image Sources:
M. Salvini, 2008
Aznavurtepe (A 5-37)
The damaged inscription on a stone block was found in the late 1950s in the temple at Aznavurtepe, 2 km northwest of Patnos. It measures 30 cm in height and 152 cm in width and is kept in the Erzurum Museum.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-[di-i-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-i-ni mmì]-⸢nu⸣-a-še
2 URUa-⸢lu⸣-[di-e-ri]-i-e
3 É.GAL ši-di-[iš-tú-ni ba]-⸢du⸣-si-i-e
4 dhal-di-i-ni-ni uš-ma-⸢ši⸣-[i-ni m]⸢mì⸣-nu-a-še
5 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še dhal-di-ni-li KÁ ši-di-iš-tú-lì
6 URUa-lu-di-e-ri-i-e É.GAL ši-di-iš-tú-ni ba-du-si-e
Translation:
“(1) [Through the protection of the god Haldi Minua bui[lt] a fortress in the city Aludiri to perfection. (4) Through the protection of the god Haldi Minua, son of Išpuini, built this gate of the god Haldi in the city Aludiri. And he built a fortress to perfection.”
References:
Balkan, K. 1960. “Ein urartäischer Tempel auf Anzavurtepe bei Patnos und hier entdeckte Inschriften / Patnos Yakınında Anzavurtepe’de Bulunan Urartu Tapınağı ve Kitabeleri,” Anadolu /Anatolia 5, 99–158 (No. 3; 123, 129 / 156–157).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 227, v. 3 p. 145, v. 5 p. 142.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006935).
CTU A 5-37 = UKN II 374 = KUKN 150
Image Sources:
K. Balkan, 1960
Aznavurtepe (A 5-38)
The inscribed stone building block originates from the fortress at Aznavurtepe, 2 km northwest of Patnos. It measures 60 cm in height and 124 cm in width (the inscribed rectangular surface is 41 cm high and 105 cm wide). The block is housed in the Erzurum Museum.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-i-ni-ni uš-ma-a-ši-ni
2 mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-še
3 i-ni É.GAL ši-di-iš-tú-ni ba-du-si
4 dhal-di-i-ni-ni uš-ma-a-ši-ni
5 mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu-u-i-ni-hi-ni-še
6 i-ni É.GAL ši-di-iš-tú-ni ba-du-si
Translation:
“(1) Through the protection of the god Haldi, Minua, son of Išpuini, built this fortress to perfection. (4) Through the protection of the god Haldi Minua, son of Išpuini, built this fortress to perfection.”
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 227–228, v. 3 p. 145, v. 5 pp. 142–143.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006936).
Image Sources:
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Aznavurtepe (A 5-39)
The rectangular basalt building block with an eight-line inscription was first photographed in 1953 in the old city cemetery of Patnos and was later moved to the Van Museum. The left half of the block is broken and appears to have been reshaped for reuse in a different structure in later ages. The present fragment measures 55 cm in height, 70 cm in width, and 70 cm in depth. The stone almost certainly originates from the Urartian fortress at Aznavurtepe, about 2 km northwest of Patnos. The inscription likely celebrates the construction of a temple.
Transliteration (Işık, 2017; eCUT):
1 [dhal-di-ni-ni] ⸢uš⸣-ma-a-ši-i-ni
2 [mmì-nu-a-še miš-pu]-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še
3 [i-ni] ⸢É⸣ ši-di-iš-tú-ni
4 [ba-a-du-ú-si-e] dhal-di-ni-ni
5 [al-su-i-ši-ni] mmì-nu-ú-a-ni
6 [miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e]-hi MAN tar-a-i-e
7 [MAN al-su-(i)-ni MAN KURbi]-a-i-na-ú-e
8 [a-lu-si URUṭu]-⸢uš-pa⸣-a-e ⸢URU⸣
Translation (Işık, 2017; eCUT):
“(1) Through the protection [of the god Haldi, Minua], son of [Išp]uini, (3) built [this build]ing(?) [to perfection]. (4) [Through the greatness] of the god Haldi (I am) Minua, (6) son of [Išpuini], strong king, (7) [great king, king of the Bi]a [land]s, (8) [lord of Ṭu]špa-Ci[ty].”
References:
Işık, K. 2017. “Urartu Kralı Minua’ya Ait Aznavurtepe Kalesi Yazıtı ve Bu Yazıtta Geçen É Yapısı Üzerine Bazı Tespitler,” Anadolu Araştırmaları 20, 91–104.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 228, v. 3 p. 146, v. 5 p. 143.
Werner, R. 1954. “Zwei urartäische Inschriften-Fragmente,” JCS 8, 96–97.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006937).
CTU A 5-39 = HchI 135 = UKN II 375 = KUKN 113
Image Sources:
K. Işık, 2017
Aznavurtepe and Van (A 5-55A–F)
A short building inscription of Minua is attested on six(?) different cylindrical stones (likely column bases). All stones have a diameter varying between 70 and 80 cm, and each bears the same text repeated three times with only minor spelling differences. One stone (A) was reportedly found and copied in 1903 in a church in Vosgepag (now Beşçatak) east of Van. Contrary to several publications, including CTU, on account of spelling differences this cannot be the stone at the Van Museum (Inv. 38.1.4), and unless another one is in storage, stone A should be considered as missing.
The find spot for stone B was recorded in 1899 as the house of Ethem Ağa near Van and today it is in the Georgian Museum in Tbilisi.
Two others (C and D) were found in a church in Patnos and very likely originated from Aznavurtepe. Stone C (Inv. 38.1.3) is on display at the Van Museum while stone D is in storage (Inv. 38.1.5).
Stone E has no recorded provenance. It preserves the top line and fragments of the middle line. It is in the inventory of the Van Museum.
Stone F in the Van Museum (Inv. 38.1.4), which was mixed up with stone A in publications, according to the museum records originated from Aznavurtepe in Patnos.
Transliteration (T. Bilgin):
A
1 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni
2 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni
3 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni
B
1 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni
2 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni
3 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni
C
1 ⸢m⸣[mì-i-]⸢nu-ú⸣-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-i-ni-še i-ni É za-⸢a⸣-du-ú-ni
2 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-i-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni
3 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-i-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni
D
1 [mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še] m⸢iš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi⸣-[i-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni]
2 m[mì-i-nu-ú-a-]⸢še⸣ miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-⸢i-ni-še⸣[ i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni]
3 mmì-i-nu-⸢ú⸣-[a]-⸢še⸣ miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-i-ni-še i-ni [É za-a-du-ú]-ni
E
1 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še i-ni É [za]-a-du-ú-ni
2 mmì-⸢i-nu-ú⸣-[a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še i]-⸢ni É za-a⸣-du-ú-ni
3 [mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni]
F
1 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-[hi-i]-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni
2 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-i-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni
3 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hi-i-ni-še i-ni É za-a-du-ú-ni
Translation:
“Minua, son of Išpuini, made this building.”
(repeated two more times)
References:
Işık, K. 2017. “Urartu Kralı Minua’ya Ait Aznavurtepe Kalesi Yazıtı ve Bu Yazıtta Geçen É Yapısı Üzerine Bazı Tespitler,” Anadolu Araştırmaları 20, 91–104 (94).
Lehmann-Haupt, C. F. 1928–1935. Corpus Inscriptionum Chaldicarum, Berlin-Leipzig (Plt. XLII, No. 74).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 238–240, v. 3 pp. 156–160, v. 5 pp. 156–158.
Tseretheli, G. V. 1939. Urartskie Pamjatniki Muzeja Gruzii/The Urartean Monuments in the Georgian Museum Tbilissi, Tbilisi (Plt. XIII).
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006953).
CTU A 5-55A = CICh 74 = HchI 53a = UKN 82 = KUKN 107
CTU A 5-55B = CICh 77 = HchI 53b = UKN 85 = KUKN 110
CTU A 5-55C =(?) CICh 100 = HchI 53d = UKN 87 = KUKN 112
CTU A 5-55D = CICh 8+99 = HchI 53c = UKN II 15+118 = KUKN 146
Image Sources:
C. F. Lehmann-Haupt, 1928–1935
G. V. Tseretheli, 1939
M. Salvini, 2008
K. Işık, 2017
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Kamışvan (A 5-70)
A rectangular stele base was found in Kamışvan (Gameşvan, now Değirmendüzü), a village about 8 km east of Patnos. It was first photographed and reported in 1953. The basalt base measures 37 cm in height and 121 by 115 cm in width, with a central cavity for erecting a stele. The base is on display at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. The inscription is a protective curse formula, written in three lines each on the front and back faces.
Transliteration:
1 mmì-nu-a-še a-li a-lu-še i-ni DUB-te
2 tú-ú-li-i-e a-lu-še pi-tú-li-i-e
3 a-lu-še a-i-ni-i i-ni-li du-li-e
4 tú-ú-ri-⸢ni⸣-[ni dhal-di]-še dIM-še
5 dUTU-ni-še DINGIR⸢MEŠ⸣-[še ma-a]-ni dUTU-ni
6 pi-e-ni mì-⸢i⸣ [ar-hi-e] ú-ru-li-a-ni
Translation:
“(1) Minua says: (as for the one) who destroys this inscription, (as for the one) who damages it, (3) (as for the one) who makes anyone else do these things, (4) let [the god Haldi], the Weather-God, the Sun-God, and (all other) gods (5) destroy him under the sun (or: the Sun-God) . . . .”
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 250–251, v. 3 p. 175, v. 5 pp. 169–170.
Werner, R. 1954. “Zwei urartäische Inschriften-Fragmente,” JCS 8, 96–97.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006968).
CTU A 5-70 = HchI 140 = UKN II 384 = KUKN 147
Image Sources:
Tayfun Bilgin, 2014
Kızılkaya (A 5-77)
The stele was formerly located in the courtyard of the church in Kızılkaya (now Yalçınkaya), approximately 8 km south of Patnos. Reused as an Armenian tombstone with an 18th-century Armenian inscription, it was reportedly destroyed by dynamite and disappeared along with the church, according to local testimony. Based on a photo by Lehmann-Haupt, it stood approximately 4 meters high, making it one of the tallest Urartian stelae, comparable only to the stele from Keşiş Göl (A 14-1). The inscription repeats the same text twice.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-a-ši-ni
2 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še
3 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še
4 dhal-di-e e-ú-ri-i-e
5 i-ni NA4pu-lu-ú-si-e
6 ku-gu-i-ú-ni mmì-nu-a-ni
7 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hé
8 MAN DAN-NU MAN KURbi-ia-na-ú-e
9 a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a-e URU
10 dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-a-ši-ni
11 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-⸢še⸣
12 [m]iš-pu-ú-i-ni-hi-ni-še
13 dhal-di-e e-ú-ri-i-e
14 i-ni NA4pu-lu-ú-si-e
15 ku-gu-i-ú-ni mmì-nu-a-ni
16 miš-pu-ú-i-ni-e-hé
17 MAN DAN-NU MAN KURbi-ia-na-ú-e
18 a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-a-e URU
Translation:
“(1) Through the protection of the god Haldi, Minua, son of Išpuini, erected this stele for the god Haldi, his/the Lord. (6) (I am) Minua, son of Išpuini, mighty king, great king, king of the land of Biainili, lord of Ṭušpa-City.”
(text is repeated one more time)
References:
Lehmann-Haupt, C. F. 1928–1935. Corpus Inscriptionum Chaldicarum, Berlin-Leipzig (No. 93).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 pp. 255–256, v. 3 p. 179, v. 5 p. 173–174.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006975).
CTU A 5-77 = CICh 93 = HchI 67 = UKN 105 = KUKN 130
Image Sources:
C. F. Lehmann-Haupt, 1928–1935
Düzceli (A 5-78)
An inscribed basalt block, cut vertically into two parts, was found in 2007 reused in the wall of a stable in the village of Düzceli, approximately 14 km west-southwest of Patnos. The block measures 46 cm in height, 89 cm in width, and 30 cm in thickness. The reading and meaning of the term iriduduni remain uncertain.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni
2 mmì-i-nu-ú-a-še miš-pu-[i]-ni-hi-ni-še
3 i-ni i-ri-du-⸢du?-ni?⸣ [ši]-di-iš-tú-ni
4 [mmì-i-nu]-a-i ⸢i⸣-[ri-du-du?-ni?] ⸢ti⸣-ni
5 ⸢d⸣hal-di-⸢ni⸣-[ni al-su-i]-ši-ni
6 mmì-nu-a-ni m[iš-pu-i]-ni-hi
7 MAN DAN-NU MAN [al-su]-i-ni
8 MAN KURbi-i-a-i-[na]-ú-e
9 a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa URU
Translation (after eCUT):
“(1) Through the protection of the god Haldi, Minua, son of Išpuini, (3) [bu]ilt(?) this iriduduni(?). I[riduduni(?) of Minu]a is (its) name. (5) Through the [great]ness [of] the god Haldi (I am) Minua, son of [Išpui]ni, (7) strong king, [gre]at king, king of the Bia lands, lord of Ṭušpa-City.”
References:
Çavuşoğlu, R., K. Işık & M. Salvini. 2010. “New Urartian Inscriptions from East Turkey,” Orientalia 79, 36–54.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 256, v. 3 p. 180, v. 5 p. 174.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q006976).
Image Sources:
R. K. Çavuşoğlu et al., 2010
Aznavurtepe (A 8-29)
The inscription is on a perfectly squared parallelepiped block of red porphyry. It was uncovered in the late 1950s during illegal excavations at the susi temple of Aznavurtepe, 2 km northwest of Patnos. The block measures 23 cm in height, 53 cm in width, and 14 cm in depth and is currently in the Erzurum Museum.
Transliteration:
1 dhal-di-ni-ni uš-ma-ši-ni
2 mar-gi-iš-ti-i-še
3 mmì-i-nu-a-hi-ni-še
4 i-ni ʾa-a-ri šú-ú-ni
5 30 LIM 2 LIM 57
6 ka-pi-e iš-ti-ni
Translation:
“Through the protection of the god Haldi Argišti, son of Minua, filled this silo. 32057 kapi (of grain) are here.”
References:
Balkan, K. 1960. “Ein urartäischer Tempel auf Anzavurtepe bei Patnos und hier entdeckte Inschriften / Patnos Yakınında Anzavurtepe’de Bulunan Urartu Tapınağı ve Kitabeleri,” Anadolu /Anatolia 5, 99–158 (No. 4, 123–124, 130 / 157).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 362, v. 3 p. 242, v. 5 p. 231.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007030).
CTU A 8-29 = UKN II 402 = KUKN 182
Image Sources:
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Aznavurtepe(?) (A 8-42)
The find spot of the basalt stone with a nine-line inscription is unknown, but it is suspected to have originated from Aznavurtepe. The corners of the originally rectangular stone were rounded in later use. It measures 40.5 cm in height, 53.5 cm in width, and 19 cm in thickness and is currently on display in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.
Transliteration:
1 [dhal]-di-ni-ni al-⸢su⸣-[ši-ni]
2 [m]⸢ar⸣-gi-iš-ti-⸢i⸣-[še]
3 [m]⸢mì⸣-nu-ú-a-hi-ni-[še]
4 [i]-ni Éa-ši-i-hu-[si]
5 ⸢ši⸣-i-di-iš-tú-ú-⸢ni⸣
6 [m]ar-gi-iš-ti-⸢ni⸣
7 [m]mì-nu-ú-a-hi-⸢e⸣
8 [MAN] DAN-NU MAN al-su-⸢ni⸣
9 [a]-lu-si URUṭu-uš-⸢pa⸣ [URU]
Translation:
“(1) [Through] the great[ness] of the [god Hal]di [A]rgišti, son of [Mi]nua built this banquet hall(?). (6) Argišti, son of Minua, strong [king], great king, king of Ṭušpa-City.”
References:
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 268, v. 3 pp. 193–194, v. 5 pp. 236–237.
Wilhelm G. & R. Akdoğan. 2011. “Eine Inschrift Argištis I. mit Erwähnung eines ašiḫusi-Gebäudes,” SMEA 53, 219–227.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007043).
Image Sources:
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Aznavurtepe (A 8-43)
A roughly rectangular basalt stone was found in a private house in the village of Gökoğlu, located about 2 km north of Patnos. It was transported to the village of Yalçınkaya (previously Kızılkaya) and in 2013 was turned over to the Van Museum by Nurullah Dönmez. Further investigation revealed that the stone originated from somewhere west of the Aznavurtepe fortress, close to the walls protecting the fortress south of the citadel. Aznavurtepe is located midway between Gökoğlu and Patnos. The stone measures 105 cm in width, 50 cm in height, with a maximum thickness of 37 cm on the uneven back.
Transliteration:
1 [d]hal-di-i-ni-[ni uš-ma-a-ši-i-ni]
2 [m]ar-gi-iš-ti-še mmì-nu-a-[hi-ni-še]
3 [i]-ni ši-na-me-[e] ši-di-iš-[tú-ni]
4 dhal-di-i-ni-ni al-su-i-ši-[i-ni]
5 mar-gi-iš-ti-ni mmì-nu-ú-[a-hi]
6 MAN DAN-NU a-⸢lu⸣-si URUṭu-uš-pa-[e URU]
7 dhal-di-i-ni-ni uš-ma-a-ši-i-[ni]
8 mar-gi-iš-ti-še mmì-nu-a-hi-ni-[še]
9 i-ni ši-na-me-e ⸢ši⸣-di-iš-tú-[ni]
10 dhal-di-ni-ni al-su-i-ši-i-⸢ni⸣
11 [m]ar-gi-iš-ti-ni mmì-nu-ú-[a-hi]
12 ⸢MAN⸣ DAN-NU [a-lu-si URUṭu-uš-pa-e URU]
Translation:
“[Through] the protection of the god Haldi Argišti, son of Minua, buil[t] this šiname building. (4) Through the greatness of the god Haldi (I am) Argišti, [son] of Minua, strong king, [lord] of Ṭušpa-City.”
(the same text is repeated one more time)
References:
Işık, K., R. Çavuşoğlu & B. Genç. 2012. “A New Urartian Inscription of Argišti I from Aznavurtepe near Patnos,” AJNES 7.1, 99–104 and Plts. XXIII–XXV.
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 268, v. 3 pp. 193–194, v. 5 pp. 237–238.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007044).
Image Sources:
Bora Bilgin, 2024
Patnos (A 9-25)
A block with a granary inscription was seen and copied as reused in a church in Patnos in the 19th century. It has since disappeared along with the church.
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 ʾa-ri šú-u-[ni]
6 10 LIM 8 LIM 4 ME [x]
7 ka-pi iš-ti-[ni]
Translation:
“Through the greatness of the god Haldi Sarduri, son of Argišti, fill[ed] this silo. 18400[+x] kapi (of grain) are here.”
References:
Lehmann-Haupt, C. F. 1928–1935. Corpus Inscriptionum Chaldicarum, Berlin-Leipzig (Plt. LIII, No. 136).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 447, v. 3 p. 283, v. 5 p. 276.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007070).
CTU A 9-25 = CICh 136 = HchI 111a = UKN 162 = KUKN 251
Image Sources:
C. F. Lehmann-Haupt, 1928–1935
Aznavurtepe (A 9-26)
The rectangular block with a granary inscription originates from the Aznavurtepe temple area. It is 31 cm high and 53 cm wide and is on display in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.
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 ʾa-ri šú-u-ni
6 10 LIM 7 LIM 20
7 ka-pi iš-ti-ni
Translation:
“Through the greatness of the god Haldi Sarduri, son of Argišti, filled this silo. 17020 kapi (of grain) are here.”
References:
Balkan, K. 1960. “Ein urartäischer Tempel auf Anzavurtepe bei Patnos und hier entdeckte Inschriften / Patnos Yakınında Anzavurtepe’de Bulunan Urartu Tapınağı ve Kitabeleri,” Anadolu /Anatolia 5, 99–158 (No. 5; 124, 131 / 158).
Salvini, M. 2008–2018. Corpus dei Testi Urartei, v. 1 p. 447, v. 3 p. 284, v. 5 p. 276.
eCUT – Electronic Corpus of Urartian Texts (https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ecut/Q007071).
CTU A 9-26 = UKN II 423 = KUKN 252
Image Sources:
K. Balkan, 1960
Bora Bilgin, 2024