Argişti I period and building activities

Despite the harsh climatic and geographic conditions of East Anatolia, Urartus were able to survive as a state in the region for 300 years, undertaking the missions such as improving the habitat they lived and ruling over the surrounding regions. Assessing all of the changing and improving conditions in the best way, they made reforms which contributed Anatolian civilization. They surpassed ages in architecture, fortress construction, establishing and planning towns, stonework and bronze craftsmanship. Inheriting the state from his father Menua, Argišti I, in order to make it strong and effective, went on campaigns to the surrounding regions and he either forgave the kings on condition that he was paid tribute, captured them as slaves, or transferred them to other regions with the public. He forced the people to live in these new regions by establishing new cities. These newly established cities not only was a solution for the economy but also for border security. In his 30-year reign, Argasti I established cities such as Armavir Blur (Argiştihinili), Arinberd (Erebuni,Irpunı) in Urartu. He made the cities efficient with watering canals and worked out the problems of increasing population and economical needs. He empowered the state against their south enemy, Assyrians and they became a state oppressing other tribes. Among the most significant inscriptions of the Urartu Kingdom, without doubt, is "Horhor Inscriptions" which are carved to the main rock of Van Castle telling about the victories and establishments of Argišti I and the rising of Urartu. Also known as " Horhor Tomb" due to Horhor Chronicle, it is the only tomb that can be dated. Argišti I expanded the borders of Urartu from lake Sevan to Lake Urmiye and from Ardahan (Hanak) to the River Euphrates. Thus, he had been awarded with the title "the conquerer of his time, expanding the borders of Urartu." Keywords:Slave, Expedition,History,Urartu,I.Argišti.