Menua
King of Urartu / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Menua (Urartian: mMe-i-nu-a [variations exist]),[1] also rendered Meinua or Minua, was the fifth known king of Urartu from c. 810 BC to approximately 786 BC. In Armenian, Menua is rendered as Menua. The name Menua may be connected etymologically to the Ancient Greek names Minos and Minyas.[2][3]
Menua | |
---|---|
King of Urartu | |
Reign | c. 810–c. 786 BC |
Predecessor | Ishpuini |
Successor | Argishti I |
Born | ca. 850 BC |
Died | ca. 786 BC |
Issue | Inushpua, Tariria, Argishti I |
Father | Ishpuini |
A younger son of the preceding Urartian King, Ishpuini, Menua was adopted as co-ruler by his father in the last years of his reign. Menua enlarged the kingdom through numerous wars against the neighbouring countries and left many inscriptions across the region, by far the most of any Urartian ruler.[4] He organized a centralised administrative structure, fortified a number of towns and constructed fortresses. Amongst these was Menuakhinili located near Mount Ararat (its exact location is uncertain, perhaps at Bulakbaşı, east of modern-day Iğdır).[5]
He briefly co-ruled with his son, Inushpua, but was succeeded by another son, Argishti I.[6] Menua also had a daughter named Tariria, after whom a certain vineyard was named Taririakhinli.[7]
It is believed that Menua founded the city of Manazkert (Malazgirt).[8]