URARTU

Ancient kingdom around Lake Van , southwestern Asia.

Today the region is divided among Armenia, eastern Turkey, and northwestern Iran. The kingdom flourished 0441; 13th–7th century BC, enjoying considerable power in the Middle East in the 9th–8th century. Archaeological finds date from the time of King Shalmaneser I ( 0441; 1274–45) of Assyria. Repeatedly attacked by Assyrian kings, Urartu declined in the late 8th century. It ceased to exist after invasions by Cimmerians, Scythians, and Medes in the 7th century BC.