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Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization (SAOC)

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SAOC 41.

Ecology and Empire: The Structure of the Urartian State.

P. E. Zimansky.

The kingdom of Urartu emerged in the middle of the ninth century b.c. and from its center on the shore of Lake Van it expanded on the large territory which is now divided between Turkey, Iran, and the [Republic of Georgia]. The geographical and political conditions were hardly favorable for the development and survival of the centralized state. The Urartian territory is composed of depressions separated by highland areas. The arable land is restricted and the communication between agricultural enclaves is far from easy. Severe winters and water deficit in summer make farming difficult. Moreover, Urartu developed in the shadow of the mighty and expansive Assyrian empire. But the Urartians succeeded in dealing with both the limitations of their physical environment and the expansion of the Assyrians. The ways in which the Urartians built and governed their state are shown in the present volume. The sudden emergence of the Urartian state (no highly centralized state had ever been based in eastern Anatolia before) and the relative paucity of sources are reasons for different hypotheses explaining the rise of Urartu. The economic motives (control of important trade routes, the importance of iron and horses) are most often underlined. The author rejects these explanations. In his opinion, the role of technology and trade was not the main factor influencing the emergence of the Urartian state and did not mould its character. More important were the ecological and political factors. Urartu's political and economic structure was shaped by its adaptation to the environment and by the external pressure created by the constant danger from the Assyrian army. Only a centralized state could make full use of the potential for defense that was given by the East Anatolian climate and topography. The author has certainly mastered both the textual and archaeological sources and his conclusions, based on a convincing explanation of evidence, provide a new, interesting insight in to the history of the ancient world at the beginning of the Iron Age and contribute to our present knowledge of the character and typology of early states. The problems dealt with are illustrated by maps, plans, and tables in the text. Satellite photos are placed at the end of the volume together with notes, general index, and an index of geographical names. [From a review by Jana Pecírková in Archív Orientální 57 (1989) 283-84].

  • Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization 41
  • Chicago: The Oriental Institute, 1985
  • ISBN 0-918986-41-9
  • Pp. xv + 143, 15 figures, 15 plates, 17 tables
  • Paperbound 8.5 x 11 in / 22 x 28 cm
  • $25.00

Revised: June 8, 2009

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