Hayasa-Azzi is a confederation of states in Bronze Age Anatolia from the Pontic regions at the Black Sea to the Armenian highlands. Fierce foes of the Hittites, the Hayasa-Azzi or Azzi-Hayasa gather strength in the 14th century BCE in eastern Anatolia.
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Hayasa is the northern neighbor of Azzi. The confederation is thought to be one reason of many for the catastrophic crash of the Hittite Empire by c. 1187 BCE.
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Hittite inscriptions refer to the mountainous country, Hayasa-Azzi, lying to the east of Hatti, in the Upper Euphrates region. The Euphrates emerges in the Taurus Mountains south of the Black Sea Coast.
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The river travels 2800 km (1739 mi) through southern Turkey, Syria and Iraq. It spreads out into the mouth of the delta, connects with the Tigris River, and flows into the the Persian Gulf.
Though the lands of Hayasa and Azzi retain separate identities they share language sources and political views. The exact borders of the region are disputed by scholars.
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The Hayasa-Azzi region did however occupy the part of Anatolia which is modern day northeast Turkey. The people inhabit the mountains and steppes toward Armenia.
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The Hittite King at the time, Suppiluliuma I, tries to implement a land border treaty with the inhabitants. He refers to them as the "people of Hayasa", which leads scholars to argue whether the Hayasa and Azzi are the same.
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These groups arise from the Trialeti-Vanadzor culture (Vanadzor, Armenia), 6000 - 4000 BCE. They're previously known as the Trialeti-Kirovakan people.
The culture is named after the Trialeti region of Georgia. Significant development of the area by the Hasaya-Azzi group goes back to the late 3rd and early 2nd millennium BCE.
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After merging with one or more other cultures the Trialeti people evolve into the Mushki and Hayasa-Azzi. The Mushki are an Iron Age warlike tribe who rise in power after the fall of the Hittites. The Hayasa-Azzi get a head start in the 14 century BCE.
Location of or existence of a Hayasa-Azzi capital city is unknown. The main fortress is named as Ura. It may be located somewhere near modern Bayburt or along the Kelkit River, both in northern Anatolia.
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King Tudhaliya II or III sends general Suppiluliuma, who would later serve as king himself, to the northeastern frontiers of the Hittite empire to bring Hayasa-Azzi under control. At first the Hayasans avoid direct confrontation.
According to Hittitologist Trevor R. Bryce, Tudhaliya and Suppiluliuma eventually invade Hayasa-Azzi and undertake a battle against King Karanni near the city of Kumaha. The outcome of the battle is damaged or missing, but events tell of a Hittite victory.
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Hayasa-Azzi becomes a Hittie vassal state. Suppiluliuma draws up a treaty with the current ruler, Hakkana.
The Hayasans are forced to repatriate all captured Hittite subjects and cede "the border [territory] which Suppiluliuma claims belongs to the Land of Hatti." King Karanni first demands return of his people taken prisoner by the Hittites.
Cuneiform tablets of Boğazköy, near the Black Sea, tell of at least three different Kings of the Hayasa-Azzi lands. They are Karanni (or Lanni), Mariya, and Hakkani (or Hukkana).
When Suppiluliuma becomes King, Hakkani marries Suppiluliuma's sister. The Hittite king reminds him of certain morals:
"My sister, whom I gave you in marriage has sisters; through your marriage, they now become your relatives. Well, there is a law in the land of the Hatti. Do not approach sisters, your sisters-in law or your cousins; that is not permitted.
In Hatti Land, whosoever commits such an act does not live; he dies. In your country, you do not hesitate to marry your own sister, sister-in law or cousin, because you are not civilized. Such an act cannot be permitted in Hatti."
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In the mid-14th century BCE the Hittites are struck by plague today called rabbit fever, then called the Hittite Plague. It's thought to originate in Egypt. Parasites on rabbits, hares and other rodents transfer the disease to humans, who pass it on.
It severely weakens the Hittite forces. Both Suppiluliuma and his oldest son, Arnuwanda II, die of the plague.
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The Hittite lands are shaky. Enemies draw closer with greed in their eyes. Warrior groups like the Kaska, Azarwa and Hayasa-Azzi sharpen their weapons.
The Azarwa to the west consider this a perfect time to attack the Hittites. However, as the story goes, the Azarwa warriors are startled by the appearance of some large rams. They take the rams back to their encampment, not knowing the sheep are infected with the disease.
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By the time they figure it out, it's too late. Rabbit fever spreads through the Azarwa legions and lands, wreaking havoc. This occurrence is considered to be the first instance of warfare using a disease.
Despite attacks by hostile forces, rebellions in outlying lands such as North Syria, and a ravaging plague, Mursili II keeps the Hittite Empire alive. In 1315 BCE, a King of the Kaskas, Pihhuniya, is crowned.
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Taking advantage of this move, Anniya, who calls himself "Lord of Azzi", raids the Land of Dankuwa, a border region of the Hittites. Anniya takes the Hittite population back to his kingdom.
Despite diplomacy and threats by the Hittite King, Anniya refuse to give the people back. This becomes a long and bitter battle. Two years later Anniya has still not returned the people.
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Mursili is also known for "Mursili's Eclipse", a full solar eclipse happening about noon, just before he launches a campaign against the Hasaya-Azzi. It's considered a good omen and it is, as Mursili decisively defeats Anniya.
In his Annals, Mursili describes the action.
"The people of Nahasse arose and besieged" (name indecipherable). Other enemies and the people of Hayasa likewise. They plundered Institina, blockaded Ganuvara with troops and chariots.
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And because I had left Nuvanzas, the chief cup-bearer, and all the heads of the camp and troops and chariots in the High Country, I wrote to Nuvanzas as follows; 'See the people of Hayasa have devastated Institina, and blockaded the city of Ganuvara.' And Nuvanza led troops and chariots for aid and marched to Ganuvara.
And then he sent to me a messenger and wrote to me; 'Will you not go to consult for me the augur and the foreteller? Could not a decision be made for me by the birds and the flesh of the expiatory victims?
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And I sent to Nuvanza this letter: 'See, I consulted for you birds and flesh, and they commanded, Go! because these people of Hayasa, the God U, has already delivered to you; strike them!
And as I was returning from Astatan to Carchemish, the royal prince Nana-Lu came to meet me on the road and said, 'The Hayasan enemy having besieged Ganuvara, Nuvanza marched against him and met him under the walls of Ganuvara.
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Ten thousand men and seven hundred chariots were drawn up in battle against him, and Nuvanza defeated them. There are many dead and many prisoners."
Once more, Hayasa-Azzi becomes a vassal state of the Hittite Empire. After Anniya's defeat, Hayasa-Azzi never appears again in the Hittite or Assyrian records as a unified nation. The campaign of Mursili II establishes the dominance of the Hittite Empire once more.
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As a fighting power Hasaya is almost eliminated by Mursili II. Azzi continue to appear after reference to Hayasa dwindles. Hasaya and/or Azzi join forces with the Hittites against the Egyptions, serving in the military as war charioteers.
Breakup of the Hayasa-Azzi confederation comes at the end of the 13th century BCE. Many previous districts and towns of Hayasa-Azzi form independent city-states.
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