Rusa III

Who is Rusa III?

Rusa III was king of Urartu. He was called "Son of Erimena," denoting that he was likely the brother of Rusa II. Not much is known from his reign; his name was inscribed on a massive granary at Armavir and on a series of bronze shields from the temple of Khaldi found at Rusahinili, now held in the British Museum. According to the Armenian historian Moses of Chorene, Rusa's father Erimena was mostly likely Paruyr Skayordi, who helped the Median king Cyaxares conquer Assyria, for which Cyaxares recognized him as the king of Armenia, something the Medians ultimately reneged on; significantly later, under the reign of King Astyages, the Medians conquered and annexed Armenia.