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Document Details :

Title: Horses and Horse-Breading in Urartian Civilisation
Author(s): GÖCKE, Bilcan , IŞIK, Kenan
Journal: Ancient West & East
Volume: 13    Date: 2014   
Pages: 1-28
DOI: 10.2143/AWE.13.0.3038728

Abstract :
The Urartian kingdom ruled mainly in the basin of Lake Van, eastern Anatolia, northwestern Iran and Transcaucasia between the 9th and 7th centuries BC. This region had harsh climatic conditions and rough geographical features. Here, the horse was important in transport and in military campaigns. According to written evidence, horses were used for entertainments such as sporting events in Urartian social life. In the Urartian army, horses were riden and harnessed to chariots. From written and archaeological sources, we learn that in the Urartian kingdom horses were raised under state control as well as being booty in military campaigns. Moreover, some texts contain details regarding animal feed, horse names, charioteers and grooms. All these data show that horses were significant in Urartu’s socio-economic and military life.

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