Mitanni Empire
(Text by Duane R. Hurst © 2013)
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MITANNI LINKS: Significant Event: Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC Battle of Megiddo in 1457 BC Main Cities: Aleppo; Carchemish; Washukanni Time: 1550-1275 BC Language: Aramaic; Hurrian Personage: Aplahanda; Parshatatar; Shaushatatar Religion: Mitanni Gods Related Country: Iraq; Syria; Turkey Brief History: I have included only a few items concerning the history of this empire. A good source for more details can be found on Wikipedia or in history books. |
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HISTORICAL NOTES:
A ruling class of Hurrians founded Mitanni circa 1500 BC. The state became a regional power after Hittites destroyed Babylon in 1535 BC. Its capital was located on the Khabur River. Mitanni even allied with its chief rival, Egypt, against the expanding Hittite empire. Ancient Egypt called the land "Naharin"; Assyrians called it "Hanigalbat". King Barattarna (Parshatatar) expanded to the west and made vassal states of emerging Assyria and Alalakh (a Bronze Age capital in southern Turkey). The kingdom of Kizzuwatna later became an allied vassal in mid-15th century BC. King Shaushatatar later maintained buffer states against the Hittites. Circa 1457 BC, Pharaoh Thutmose III invaded Mitanni's territory and won a victory against the ruler of Kadesh in the Battle of Megiddo. Despite his victories over Mitanni, Egypt only consolidate gains in Phoenicia and the mid-Orontes River region. Mitanni war chariots gave them early superiority against foes. King Shaushatatar sacked Assur in the 15th century BC and forced Assyria to pay yearly tribute until the reign of King Eriba-Adad I (1392-1366 BC). Early in the 14th century BC, king Shuttarna II gave his daughter in marriage to Pharaoh Amenhotep III. A war of succession weakened the kingdom upon the death of Shuttarna. Assyria under Shalmaneser I conquered Mitanni. |
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© Page Publisher: Duane R. Hurst
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