Ammurapi is the last ruler and king of the Syrian Bronze Age city of Ugarit. He's a contemporary of Hittite King Suppiluliuma II, the last Hittite king. Battling internal strife and annihilation by Sea Peoples, Ammurapi rules in turmoil c. 1215 - 1180 BCE.
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An important Bronze Age trade port and city-state appearing c 1800 BCE, Ugarit reaches the height of prosperity c. 1500 BCE. Ugarit trades with Egypt, Cyprus (Alashiya), Crete and the Aegean, Syria, Hittites, cities of Levant and most of the eastern Mediterranean.
Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure
Coastal city Ugarit in North Syria has been called a Canaanite, Phoenician and Levantine site. Today it's Ras Shamra (Raʾs Shamrah). In the Bronze Age, sea routes and inland trade trails come together at Ugarit. Three busy seaports grace the Ugaritic shores.
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Then, mayhem. A flurry of letters is exchanged. From the King of Alashiya:
"Regarding what you wrote me before: "Enemy ships were observed at sea!" If it is true that ships were observed, reinforce yourself. Where are your troops and chariots? Are they not with you? If not, who will deliver you from the enemy? Surround your cities with walls and bring your troops and chariots into them. Watch out for the enemy and reinforce yourself well!"
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During the attacks of the Sea Peoples, a major factor of the Bronze Age collapse, the King of Alashiya begs Ammurapi for his help. He cannot give it. He writes:
"My father behold, the enemy's ships came; my cities were burned, and they did evil things in my country. Does not my father know that all my troops and chariots are in the Land of Hatti, and all my ships are in the Land of Lukka? ... Thus, the country is abandoned to itself. May my father know it: the seven ships of the enemy that came here inflicted much damage upon us."
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Eshuwara, the senior governor of Cyprus, responds:
"As for the matter concerning those enemies: the people from your country (and) your own ships did this! And the people from your country committed these transgression(s) ... I am writing to inform you and protect you. Be aware!"
Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure
Another translation of this letter reads:
"Regarding the things that the enemies have done to the people of your country and your ships, they have done these transgressions against the people of the country. Thus, do not be angry with me. Now, the twenty ships that the enemies earlier left in the mountainous areas, have not stayed behind. They left suddenly and we do not know where they are. I write to you to inform you so that you can guard yourself. Be informed!"
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Finally Ammurapi pleads with the Hittite viceroy at Carchemish to send help. The enemy has captured Ugarit's port Ra’šu, and advances on the city.
"To the king, my lord say, thus Ammurapi, your servant.… I wrote you twice, thrice, [new]s regarding the enemy! … May my lord know that now the enemy forces are stationed at Ra’šu, and their avant-guard forces were sent to Ugarit. Now may my lord send me forces and chariots, and may my lord save me from the forces of this enemy!"
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When at last Carchemish answers his plea, Ammurapi can only respond with bitterness.
When your messenger arrived, the army was humiliated and the city was sacked. Our food in the threshing floors was burnt and the vineyards were also destroyed. Our city is sacked. May you know it! May you know it!
Prior to his part in the Bronze Age collapse, Ammurapi is known for divorcing his wife, a Hittite princess who commits a 'grievous sin'. Hittite Suppiluliuma II approves the divorce. While some consider divorce an act of war, the Kings feel it shows goodwill between them.
However, when Ammurapi needs his chariots, Suppiluliuma is watching them burn. The ferocious Kashka, loosely organized mountain raiders from the Black Sea coast, take advantage of the battles and disorder to attack and finally sack the Hittite capital Hattusa.
Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure
A self-governed city state, Ugarit is a vassal of the Hittite Empire since c. 1400 BCE. Ugarit backs the Hittites at the famous Battle of Kadesh c. 1275 BCE, but diplomatically retains trade friendliness with Egypt. Thus the King hopes for help from that source.
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By 1200 BCE Egypt has been battling Sea Peoples in coastal skirmishes for about two hundred years. Once in a while warrior mercenaries of the tribes show up in the Egyptian army. They just as easily appear in enemy attacks.
Egypt is no help to Ammurapi. In 1213 BCE the death of Pharaoh Ramesses II, in his 90s, puts his 70-year-old fourth son Merneptah on the throne, as Ramesses outlives his other sons and heirs. Merneptah is busy smiting Libyan uprisers and their Sea People allies.
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Cyprus, despite pleas for help, survives the attack with little damage. Hittites, Luwians and Babylonian Kassites all crumble beneath an onslaught which has been gathering force, waiting to happen.
For about fifty years, the area has been disrupted by earthquakes. Several years of drought also cause desperate times. Harassment by raiders and failure of crops contribute to famine and sickness.
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Ammurapi is the last King to occupy the Royal Palace at Ugarit. Among the most important discoveries, the palace is the royal residence of the rulers of ancient Ugarit. The palace and vast ruins of the city-state are excavated from the 1930s.
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