Ayanis

Historical description

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).

Geographic evidence

The coordinates are a representative_point_not_boundary. They identify a research anchor and do not by themselves assert an ancient administrative boundary or the full extent of the settlement.

Provenance: Pleiades

Source and reuse

This profile derives from the Pleiades current GIS record, licensed CC BY 3.0. Pleiades place record The profile preserves the source name, point, type, description, precision and provenance without silently adding a boundary reconstruction.

Research path

Compare this place with the chronological map at the relevant year, nearby political units, routes, institutions and the period portals. Where the source record is silent about jurisdiction, population or ecclesiastical rank, this profile makes no such claim.