Urartu, ancient kingdom of Armenia and N Mesopotamia, centered about Lake Van in present-day E Turkey. It was the biblical Ararat. Urartu flourished from the 13th cent. to the 7th cent. B.C., but was most powerful in the 8th cent. B.C., when it ruled over most of N Syria. The Urartians constantly fought with Assyria; Shalmaneser I, Shalmaneser III, and Sargon all attacked Urartu but never completely subdued it. In the 7th cent. B.C. repeated invasions by the Cimmerians, Scythians, and Medes finally brought about the downfall of the Urartian kingdom. Excavations, particularly at such sites as Toprakkale and Karmir Blur, have shown that Urartu had an advanced agricultural and commercial civilization, which was largely influenced by Assyria. Its language, written in cuneiform (also borrowed from the Assyrians), has no relation to any known language, except perhaps to the Horite. Urartian techniques of metalworking and stone masonry (especially in the construction of fortresses) was highly advanced.

Ancient country around Lake Van, southwestern Asia. Today the region is divided among Armenia, eastern Turkey, and northwestern Iran. The kingdom flourished circa 13th–6th century BC, enjoying considerable power in the Middle East in the 9th–8th century. It is first mentioned in Assyrian records from the 13th century BC. 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.

Learn more about Urartu with a free trial on Britannica.com.