The Battle of Niḫriya was the culminating point of the hostilities between the Hittites and the Assyrians for control over the remnants of the former empire of Mitanni.
When Hittite king Šuppiluliuma I (r. c. 1344–1322 BC) conquered Mitanni, he created two provinces (Aleppo and Carchemish), and distributed the large part of territories of this kingdom between his allies. The rest of what had been the empire of Mitanni retained its independence as a Hittite vassal state called Ḫanigalbat. During the reign of the Hittite king Mursili III (better known as Urḫi-Tešub), Ḫanigalbat was conquered by the Assyria Empire and the Assyrians controlled the East bank of the Euphrates.[1] When Ḫattusili III ousted his nephew Urḫi-Tešub and seized the Hittite throne, he had to be content with the permanent loss of Ḫanigalbat to the Assyrians despite its former status as a Hittite vassal state.
The Assyrian involvement in Syria continued under the command of king Sulmanu-ašared I and precipitated a crisis with Ḫatti. The Hittites considered Assyrian involvement to be a clear attack on the frontiers of their empire and went into battle under their king: Tudḫalia IV, Ḫattusili's son and successor. This led to a major battle which is known today as the Battle of Niḫriya. A letter (RS 34.265) giving details of the campaign and its outcome was sent by Sulmanu-ašared to Ugarit.[2]
In addition, information within Hittite document KBo IV 14 has been interpreted to show that the battle must have occurred around the 20th year of Sulmanu-ašared's reign.[3]
The former idea that Niḫriya was to be equated with Na’iri, along the Upper Tigris, has been shown to be wrong.[4] As per the Mari and Dur-Katlimmu letters, Niḫriya was located in the Upper Balikh region.
Outcome
The conflict between the two great powers took place in the neighborhood of Nihriya, with the Assyrians gaining a decisive victory. The Assyrian victory shook the Hittite state to its foundations as its king Tudhaliya IV faced several internal revolts against his reign. Tudhaliya IV would ultimately overcome all these challenges to his authority and retain the kingship of Hatti. Hostilities between Assyria and Ḫatti continued for some five years before a peace was negotiated and maintained.
Notes
^The ‘Eternal Treaty’ from the Hittite perspective pp.3-4 by Trevor Bryce
^Manfred Dietrich, "Salmanassar I. von Assyrien, Ibirānu (VI.) von Ugarit und Tudḫalija IV. von Hatti", Ugarit-Forschungen 35 (2003) 103-139.
^A.A. Nemirovsky, "Synchronism of the Era of Hattusili III and the "Low" Chronology of the Late Bronze Age Century" (Немировский А.А., "Синхронизмы эпохи Хаттусилиса III и «короткая» хронология позднебронзового века."), Вестник Древней Истории, (2003/2) 3-15.
^Jared L. Miller, “The Location of Nihriya and its Disassociation from Na'iri”. In: H.D. Baker, K. Kaniuth and A. Otto, eds. Stories of Long Ago. Festschrift für Michael D. Roaf (Alter Orient und Altes Testament 397). Ugarit-Verlag. Münster: (2012) 349-372.
battle, nihriya, battle, niḫriya, culminating, point, hostilities, between, hittites, assyrians, control, over, remnants, former, empire, mitanni, battle, niḫriyadatec, 1237, bclocationniḫriyaresultassyrian, victorybelligerentshittitesassyriacommanders, leader. The Battle of Niḫriya was the culminating point of the hostilities between the Hittites and the Assyrians for control over the remnants of the former empire of Mitanni Battle of NiḫriyaDatec 1237 BCLocationNiḫriyaResultAssyrian victoryBelligerentsHittitesAssyriaCommanders and leadersTudḫalia IVSulmanu asared IWhen Hittite king Suppiluliuma I r c 1344 1322 BC conquered Mitanni he created two provinces Aleppo and Carchemish and distributed the large part of territories of this kingdom between his allies The rest of what had been the empire of Mitanni retained its independence as a Hittite vassal state called Ḫanigalbat During the reign of the Hittite king Mursili III better known as Urḫi Tesub Ḫanigalbat was conquered by the Assyria Empire and the Assyrians controlled the East bank of the Euphrates 1 When Ḫattusili III ousted his nephew Urḫi Tesub and seized the Hittite throne he had to be content with the permanent loss of Ḫanigalbat to the Assyrians despite its former status as a Hittite vassal state The Assyrian involvement in Syria continued under the command of king Sulmanu asared I and precipitated a crisis with Ḫatti The Hittites considered Assyrian involvement to be a clear attack on the frontiers of their empire and went into battle under their king Tudḫalia IV Ḫattusili s son and successor This led to a major battle which is known today as the Battle of Niḫriya A letter RS 34 265 giving details of the campaign and its outcome was sent by Sulmanu asared to Ugarit 2 In addition information within Hittite document KBo IV 14 has been interpreted to show that the battle must have occurred around the 20th year of Sulmanu asared s reign 3 The former idea that Niḫriya was to be equated with Na iri along the Upper Tigris has been shown to be wrong 4 As per the Mari and Dur Katlimmu letters Niḫriya was located in the Upper Balikh region Outcome EditThe conflict between the two great powers took place in the neighborhood of Nihriya with the Assyrians gaining a decisive victory The Assyrian victory shook the Hittite state to its foundations as its king Tudhaliya IV faced several internal revolts against his reign Tudhaliya IV would ultimately overcome all these challenges to his authority and retain the kingship of Hatti Hostilities between Assyria and Ḫatti continued for some five years before a peace was negotiated and maintained Notes Edit The Eternal Treaty from the Hittite perspective pp 3 4 by Trevor Bryce Manfred Dietrich Salmanassar I von Assyrien Ibiranu VI von Ugarit und Tudḫalija IV von Hatti Ugarit Forschungen 35 2003 103 139 A A Nemirovsky Synchronism of the Era of Hattusili III and the Low Chronology of the Late Bronze Age Century Nemirovskij A A Sinhronizmy epohi Hattusilisa III i korotkaya hronologiya pozdnebronzovogo veka Vestnik Drevnej Istorii 2003 2 3 15 Jared L Miller The Location of Nihriya and its Disassociation from Na iri In H D Baker K Kaniuth and A Otto eds Stories of Long Ago Festschrift fur Michael D Roaf Alter Orient und Altes Testament 397 Ugarit Verlag Munster 2012 349 372 See also Edit Asia portalShort chronology timeline Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Battle of Nihriya amp oldid 1099988723, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
