As a city Saratov was probably founded in the 700s B.C. by the fugative Greeks – the Hellenes and mentioned by Herodot under the name of Gelon as the only city on the Scythian territory at that time.
After Gelon had been burnt out by the Persian King Dariy Gistasp in 512 B.C. Saratov was revived again under the name of Burtas and became one of the important cities of Khazar Kaganat.
In the Golden Horde times Saratov was the city of third-rate importance in the huge Khanate and called Ukek.
In the late of the 13th century Ukek was destroyed by Tamerlan.
In 1590 in Saratov a fortess was built to protect the southern frontiers of Russia.

In 18-19th centuries Saratov was one of the first in volume of foreign investments.
During the cold war Saratov was reckoned among 7 cities for nuclear knockout.