Amurru is both a kingdom and a god. In c. 2000 BCE, the Amorite kingdom occupies the northern part of the ancient Levant coast. To the south, a collection of trading communities open up opportunities for wealth.
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Amurru the god is son of Anu, the oldest god, and his wife the earth goddess Urash. In the ancient world, the Kingdom of Amurru c. 2000 BCE covers today's northwestern Syria and northern Lebanon.
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The inhabitants of Amurru speak the Amorite language. Now extinct, Amorite is an early Northwest Semitic language. The dialect is found around ancient Ugarit, Syria, the northernmost coastal town of the Levant to come under Amurru dominance.
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Ugarit is a prosperous city state in the Bronze Age. One of the oldest cities, Ugarit arises from prehistoric roots to become a center for trade, commerce and culture. Although a cosmopolitan flair continues for hundreds of years under various rulers, Ugarit generally remains an independent town.
Amurru as a geographic location is originally mentioned in the Old Assyrian Period (c. 2000 - 1600 BCE). The first documented leader of Amurru is Abdi-Ashirta in the 14th century BCE.
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The region's made up of autonomous city states and semi-nomadic cultures. Abdi Ashirta purveys himself as King, but doesn't officially rule them. Nonetheless, he tries.
Read: Cult of the Fire God - Bronze Age Quest Adventure
He unites the Habiru, a people first mentioned in the 18th century BCE, who live outside the normal social structures. Habiru means Outsiders including nomads, fugitives, bandits and workers of inferior status.
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This activity alarms the trading settlements down the coast such as Byblos, Tyre and Sidon. They're three of the wealthy, independent port cities paying tribute to Egypt in return for military support.
Rib-Hadda, the king of Byblos, sends a flurry of letters to Amenhotep III of Egypt pleading for intervention. Rib-Hadda also claims that Abdi-Ashirta conspires with the Hurrian king of Mitanni. This part is thought to be fabricated to encourage more support from Egypt.
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Abdi-Ashirta portrays himself and Amurru as guarding Egyptian interests, Egypt doesn't recognize Amurru as a legitimate state. During the reign of Abdi-Ashirta Amurru is a group of independent strongholds rather than a united kingdom.
After the death of Abdi-Ashirta, his sons capture Sumur, an Egyptian holding in the area. This prompts another letter-writing spree from Rib-Hadda to Egypt. For some reason the reigning pharaoh, Akhenaten, puts off his desperate pleas.
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Aziru, son of Abdi-Ashirta, takes over the self-nominated kingship of Amurru. He sends letters to the Pharaoh, seeking official government status. The Pharoah Akhenaten requests his presence in Egypt.
Aziru delays and makes excuses, saying the Hittites are threatening the coasts, which they are. Privately Aziru fears if he goes to Egypt, he won't get out alive. He's not the only one feeling trapped.
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Rib-Hadda of Byblos continues to bombard the Egyptian monarchy for assistance. He likens himself to a bird in a trap. His own people, the peasants of the region, are turning against him. Habiru and Sharadan (Sherden) people attack Tyre down the coast.
Another powerful economic region, Tyre is known for Tyrian purple dye, made from the mucus glands of regional rock snails. The dye is worth a fortune, the reason purple is associated with the wealthy, nobles and kings.
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When Rib-Hadda goes to Beirut for negotiations, he's gone for four months. He returns to find his younger brother Ili-Rabih has usurped his position.
Ili-Rabih sends Rib-Hadda into exile, where he is either killed, or offered a job as mayor in another district. Most evidence points to his unfortunate end by foul play, at the request of Aziru of Amarru.
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After the death of Rib-Hadda, the Pharaoh orders Aziru to Egypt to explain himself. Aziru goes to Egypt and is detained a year. When he returns, he defects to the Hittites. Around this time Aziru signs an alliance treaty with Niqmaddu, the king of Ugarit.
Seti I, the second pharaoh of Egypt's Nineteenth Dynasty, tries to re-establish Egyptian authority over the Levant. He launches a military campaign and brings Kadesh and Amurru back under the influence of Egypt.
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In c. 1350 BCE the territories of Ugarit and Amurru come under Hittite domination. The Hittites are at the height of their power. The once powerful Kingdom of the Hurrians, Mitanni, is a Hittite vassal.
Amurru later participates in the Battle of Kadesh (1274 BCE) on the side of the Egyptians. According to the magnificent stele of Ramesses II the pharaoh wins with full glory, but it was really more of a confused compromise.
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In the 13th century BCE the sister of Shaushgamua, King of Ammuru, marries Ammistamru II, king of Ugarit. Apparently she does something so terrible Ammistranru sends her home immediately with her bride price.
He has to deal with her unhappy and powerful relatives. This almost starts war, but there's no indication of what grievous crime the woman committed.
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Around 1200 BCE, a series of disasters and attacks by Sea Peoples decimate the coasts of the Mediterranean. Already weakened by internal strife, the Hittite Empire collapses. Others including nearby warrior Arzawa go down with it.
The shining kingdom of Ugarit is razed to rubble. Further down the coast, the Phoenician regions survive and rise into a mighty trading empire. Egypt under Ramesses II ascends to unparalleled heights of glory. His most beloved wife Nefertari has passed on, in 1255 BCE. Sometimes he feels she's still at his side.
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All mention of Amurru the geographic location ends here. Amurru the Amorite God packs up his divine staff and sacred gazelle, and moves to Babylon, where he enjoys a long and prosperous reign.
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