Invaluable information for illuminating the history of Armenia in the 3rd-2nd centuries BC is provided by ancient sources of Mesopotamia, particularly Sumerian and Akkadian written monuments. These sources offer a fascinating glimpse into the early interactions and cultural exchanges between the Armenian Highlands and Mesopotamia.
The Sumerians and the Armenian Highlands
The Sumerians, creators of one of the world’s first civilizations, inhabited regions in northern Mesopotamia and the southern Armenian Highlands before migrating to Southern Mesopotamia. Despite leaving these areas, they maintained contact with the highlands, which is why the earliest mentions of the Armenian Highlands are found in Sumerian written monuments.
The Sumerians developed the first cuneiform script, which was later adopted by the Akkadians in the second half of the 3rd millennium BC. This script became widespread in Western Asia, including the Kingdom of Van. One of the earliest state formations mentioned in Sumerian sources is the country of Aratta, located in the Armenian Highlands.
Aratta: The Early State Formation
Aratta is the first known early state formation on the territory of the Armenian Highlands, with information dating back to the 28th-27th centuries BC. Sumerian sources describe Aratta as a highland country, accessible from Sumer via the river “Uruki,” likely the Euphrates River. This connection places Aratta firmly within the Armenian Highlands.
The country of Zamua, located south of Lake Urmia, is another example of the regions mentioned along the route from Sumer to Aratta. The Armenian Highlands were associated with the worship of the god of wisdom and universal waters, Ai (ya), whose son Hayk was the patron god of Aratta. Aratta was a theocratic state, where both spiritual and secular power were held by the clergy, with the king serving as the high priest.
Economic and Cultural Relations
Aratta had a developed state system, with officials in the economic sphere, tax collectors, and managers. The Arattians imported grain and other agricultural products from Sumer and exported metal, precious stones, and building materials. Horses were used in Aratta for traction and transport, unlike the donkeys used in Sumer, leading to early progress in the economy and military art.
Sumerian sources also mention the army of Aratta and its capital with stone walls. Despite a year-long siege by the Sumerian army, the capital of Aratta remained unconquered, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the Arattian people.
The Legacy of Aratta
One of the most important pieces of information about Aratta is that it used its own script, evidenced by undeciphered hieroglyphic monuments from the 3rd millennium BC. Architects from Aratta were sent to Sumer to build large structures, and the Subarians who settled in Mesopotamia are mentioned as scribes, bakers, blacksmiths, and gardeners.
During the period of Aratta’s mention, the Armenian Highlands were united into one cultural belt, known in archaeological literature as the culture of Armenia of the Early Bronze Age. This cultural unity highlights the significance of the Armenian Highlands in the broader context of ancient Near Eastern civilizations.
Conclusion
The ancient sources of Mesopotamia provide invaluable insights into the history and cultural connections between Armenia and Mesopotamia in the 3rd-2nd centuries BC. The story of Aratta, its state system, economic relations, and cultural achievements, underscores the rich and complex history of the Armenian Highlands and their enduring legacy in the ancient world.
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