Euphrates

Euphrates

Euphrates

Most of what is known about the Hurrian Kingdom of Mitanni has been derived from the records of their neighbors. Only a few examples of Hurrian texts have been found and none of those are from the Mitanni heartland of north central Mesopotamia. In addition to these few accounts a number of royal cylinder seals that list the king’s dynastic lineage have been helpful in determining the sequence of rulers.

Early Hittite Records

Around 1560 BCE the Hittite King Hattushili I marched his armies out of Anatolia to the southeast intent on expanding his control over the trade routes of Syria. As the Hittites took control of the city of Alalakh in western Syria a new force of Hurrians was uniting to the east of the Euphrates River. When the Hittites moved against the city of Urshu they were less successful. Although the Hittites laid siege to Urshu, the city’s allies, including the Hurrians, managed to keep the city supplied and eventually Hattushili was forced to withdraw.

This account in the Hittite records is the first mention of the Hurrians organized as a united people. It is possible that this time period can be connected with the doings of the legendary King Kirta. If this correlation can be made then the first King of Mitanni, Suttarna son of Kirta, can be placed as having ruled around 1550 BCE. Suttarna’s son Paratarma is thought to have consolidated Mitanni control over Syria between 1530 and 1480 BCE.