For four centuries in ancient Anatolia, the kingdom Arzawa grows to formidable power. Between c. 17 - 1300 BCE, Arzawans both harass and trade with Hittites, who try to assimilate them. During Hittite rule, Arzawans prove a big pain in the western regions.
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The people fight hard for independence. They're not as obliging as other groups, such as the Hatti, the previous settlers of the Hittite lands. The Arzawans form allegiances with the Greeks, especially the Mycenaeans, with a common goal of overthrowing the Hittite Empire.
Meanwhile the Kaskian mountain people hammer brutally at the Hittites' back doors. A mix of tribal groups, Kashka and allies in the Pontic Mountains cut off Hittite access to the Black Sea coast.
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The Hurrians to the southeast also have considerable power. Traders and warriors, the Hurrians are known for their battle might, holding their own against the Hittites as a competing Anatolian power. Many Hurrian gods are adopted into the Hittite pantheon.
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Throughout the Empires the Luwians have signicant influence through language and culture. They've been here a while. In the ancient Anatolian trading town of Kültepe (Kultepe), records of the Luwians date back to the 19th century BCE.
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At the time of the middle Hittite Empire, Luwian is more commonly spoken than Hittite. The Luwian capital, mystic Purushanda, has never been found. The Kingdom of Arzawa extends from the western border of the Hittite realm to the coasts of the Aegaen Sea.
Settlement expands along the Kaystros River (modern Küçük Menderes River in southern Turkey). The King of Arzawa establishes a capital at Apasa (Apaša), meaning 'bee'. It's later renamed Ephesus, and the people take the bee as their standard.
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Today's Ayasuluk Hill in southern Turkey is the probable location of ancient Apasa. In later years the capital Ephesus moves a few kilometers away from the Ayasuluk Hill site.
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Mycenaean (Mainland Greek) items such as pottery are found at Ayasuluk Hill, probably originating in trade. The Mycenaeans are warriors eager to establish trade relationships. Their trade network reaches as far north as the Baltic Sea in the wild north.
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In c. 14th century BCE, the Kingdom of Arzawa is active at the same time the Assuwa league, a group of 22 united states and kingdoms in Western Antolia, united against the Hittite takeover. Sadly for them, the Assuwa league soon falls to the power of the Hittites.
The 15th and 14th century brings many changes. Under constant attack by opportunistic neighbors, envious leaders, raiders, border terrorism and civil disobedience, the Hittite Kingdom nonetheless continues to defend and expand its borders.
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Arzawa allies with Egypt. Hittites and Egyptians are dire enemies. In the 14th century a plague of tularemia or rabbit fever sweeps through Hittite terroritory. Arzawans see the Hittites as vulnerable, and stage an attack.
In the first use of a disease for bacterial warfare, the Hittites send rams infected with the bacterium out to the men of Arzawa. "Where did these rams come from?" exclaim the men of Arzawa.
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In a possible inspiration for the later Trojan Horse story, they take the rams home for a quick sacrifice and dinner. Most people are infected with the bacterium. Many die and more sicken.
Hittite records in c. 1320 - 1315 BCE mention an anti-Hittite alliance of Arzawa with the region of Millawanta (Miletus) under the Mycenaean king of the Ahhiyawa. In the same century Hittite king Suppiluliuma I leads a campaign against Arzawa.
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His successor Mursili II finally manages to bring the region under Hittite control around 1300 BCE. As the Hittites besiege the Arzawan capital, King Uhha-Zita and his family flee. Others follow their lead.
When the Hittites move in they deport an additional 6,200 people. The Hittites also burn the ancient Greek city Miletus as punitive action against Mycenaean supporters of the uprising.
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The Hittites split the Kingdom of Arzawa into four vassal Kingdoms.
Kingdom of Mira
Hapalla
"Seha River Land"
Wilusa (Troy) which becames a Hittite vassal during the reign of Mursili's son
About 1220 BCE, Hittites suppress another rebellion involving Mycenaean support. The revolution is centered on the Seha River land, part of former Arzawa.
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During the reign of the Hittite king Arnuwandas III (1220 - 1190 BCE), Arzawa is seized by a disloyal Hittite vassal, Madduwattas. Arzawa is never recaptured by the Hittites. As the Bronze Age collapse destroys empires, the Kingdom of Arzawa fades into the mist.
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