The Armenian nation is one of the oldest in existence. The names of the state "Arminiya" and its people "Armina" are first mentioned in the cuneiforms of Persian King Darius I (522-486). Armines were considered an Indo-European nation that migrated to its now motherland from Europe via Asia Minor. In B.C. times the Indo-European ancestors of modern Armenians lived in Asia Minor side by side with the Hittite people for 600 years. The native name of Armenians "hai", supposedly originates from the Hayassa people. The state of Hayassa was mentioned on a Hittite clay table (II millennium B.C.) found during the excavation of Hattushash, the capital of the Hittite state. Assyrians called ancient Armenia "Nairi state", which means "land of rivers", comprised of 60 various small kingdoms and towns. Then they moved to the East and settled in western and southern regions of the Armenian plateau. According to the other hypothesis, ancient Armenian unions originated on the territory of the Armenian plateau in the 3rd and 4th millennium B.C. They are also believed to have risen from the Armenian plateau, including the western part of the Iranian plateau regions. In the 9th century B.C. Armenian tribes united and created the Urartu State, King Arame or "Ara the Fair", was the states first ruler. During IX-VI cc B.C. an original ancient civilization was formed, creating the foundation for ancient Armenian culture. During the reign of King Argishti I, the Urartu state became politically and economically strong. King Argishti I founded the town of Erebuni (Yerevan) in 782 BC, and populated it with captives from other lands. King Rusa II (685-645) founded the town Teishebaini (on the territory of Yerevan, the hill of Karmir-Blur). Rusa II was the last king of the Urartu State, which eventually faded from the historic stages in 590-580 B.C. One tribe, called the Arme-Shupria tribe had no intention of being subjected to Urartu rule. While Assyrians were destroying Urartu, Armenian tribes like Arme-Shupria were uniting a new kingdom, ruled by the Ervanduni (Orontid) Dynasty. During the 5th century B.C., Historian Xenophone introduced interesting facts about Ancient Armenia during the height of the Achaemenid dynasty in his "Anabasis" (his historical records). He also introduced the process of making barley beverages, similar to beer. The conquest of Persia in 330 B.C. by Alexsander Makedonian and the creation of the Hellinistic Selevkian monarchy, established a new height for political and economic development in Armenia. During this time, Armenians inhabited Armenia Great, the center of which became the Ararat valley, Sophene, located between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. Also Armenia Minor, located between the Euphrates and upper current of the Lycos was well established. Armenian kings paid tribute to the Selevkid dominion. In 189 B.C., when Romans conquered the Selevkian kingdom, the king of Armenia Great became Artashes I (189-160B.C.). He annexed Armenia Minor. The formation of Armenians and their language was accomplished during the Arshakid dynasty. Hellenistic style greatly influenced cultural and economic progress in the East. The towns were prosperous, and the construction of new building grew tremendously. The new capital Artashat became an important political and commercial center in Ancient Armenia. Historian Plutarch called Artashat the "Armenian Carthagene" told of its glory and fame throughout Roman society. The Golden Age for Armenia Great was the period when Tigran II (95-55 B.C.) reigned. Tigran the Great completed the process of uniting Armenians and nearby Armenian regions. In 94 B.C. Sophene was annexed to Armenia Great. Tigran the Great expanded the borders of his country, which was now called "Armenia from sea to sea". Rome felt threatened with the Armenian states new fortune. So Roman military leader Lucullos and his huge army invaded Armenia in 69 B.C. Years of fighting eventually weakened Armenia. Tigran had to yield to Rome, and they forced him to sign a treaty. In the agreement, Armenia had to become an ally to Rome. After Tigran's death Artavazd II (55-34 B.C.) became the King of Armenia. He focused his efforts on saving Armenia from invasions and hostile attacks. He also wrote speeches and told tales of Greek mythological tragedies, as historian Plutarchos witnessed. The last rulers of Armenia were Tigran IV and Queen Erato. The Artashesid dynasty, that Queen Erato ruled, came to an end when she abdicated the throne.