Ayanis

settlement · 900 BC – 2100 AD

Ayanis (or Ayanıs, now Ağartı Kalesi) is an Urartean fortress and settlement located 35 km north of Van on a rocky outcrop 250 m above Lake Van (1867 m above sea level). It was founded in the 7th century BCE under Rusa, son of Argišti, and was named Rusahinili Eidurukai ("The City of Rusa in front of Mount Eiduru"). Here two inscriptions of Rusa, son of Argišti (7th century BCE), have been found which report that Rusa cultivated the barren land, built the fortress and the city as well as a “tower temple” (“susi temple”) and a “Gate for the God Haldi” (A 12-01 and A 12-09).

Coordinates

38.70831, 43.21132

Also known as

Ayanis Kalesi (tr), Ayanis Kalesi (tr), Ayanıs (tr), Ayanıs, Ayans, Ayams, Ayanis (tr), Ağartı Kalesi (tr), Ağartı Kalesi, Agarti Kalesi (tr)

Dating

attested

Sources

• Pleiades: A Gazetteer of Past Places · CC BY 3.0
  Pleiades: A Gazetteer of Past Places (CC BY 3.0)
• Wikidata · CC0 1.0
  Wikidata (CC0)

See Ayanis on the map →