Rusa I


Rusa I
King of Urartu
Reign735–714 BC
PredecessorSarduri II
SuccessorArgishti II
IssueMelartua, Argishti II
FatherSarduri II
MotherSusaratu

Rusa I (ruled: 735–714 BC) was a King of Urartu. He succeeded his father, king Sarduri II. His name is sometimes transliterated as Rusas or Rusha. He was known to Assyrians as Ursa (which scholars have speculated is likely a more accurate pronunciation of the name)[1] and possibly Urzana. His birth name may have been Uedipri.[2][3]

Rusa I built the fortress of Rusahinili (Rusa-hinili, city of Rusa), modern Toprakkale, located near the modern city of Van in eastern Turkey.

  1. ^ James Clackson 2008. The Ancient Languages of Asia Minor. Cambridge University Press. p. 108.
  2. ^ Michael Roaf (2012), "Could Rusa son of Erimena have been king of Urartu during Sargon's Eighth Campaign?" p. 212.
  3. ^ A. H. Sayce. "The Kingdom of Van (Urartu)". The Cambridge Ancient History, vol. xx: The Assyrian Empire: Part I (Cambridge, 1925) pp. 169-186. http://www.attalus.org/armenian/kvan1.htm