Middle East Kingdoms

Hayasa-Azzi

Two obscure kingdoms or tribal regions which emerged to the north and east of Ishuwa in the sixteenth century BC were those of Hayasa and Azzi. They formed a confederation which for a time troubled the Hittites. Hayasa was south of Trabzon on the south-eastern Black Sea coast, while Azzi was situated between Hayasa and the Euphrates, around Lake Van. Scholarly opinion is split on whether the two were distinct kingdoms or were one and the same.

c.1375 BC

The Kaskans join up with Hayasa-Azzi and Ishuwa, as well as other Hittite enemies, and burn down the Hittite fort of Masat, as well as the capital, Hattusa. Hayasa-Azzi seizes the Hittite city of Samuha.

? - c.1370 BC

Karanni / Lanni

Defeated by Suppiluliuma?

c.1370 BC

As Tudhaliya's general, shortly before seizing the throne, the Hittite king, Suppiluliuma pushes back an invasion by the Kaskans and invades Hayasa-Azzi. Twelve tribes of Kaskans unite under Piyapili and attempt to support their recent allies, but are defeated. Details of the subsequent showdown between the Hittites and Hayasa-Azzi near the city of Kumaha are lost, but the Hittites soon establish it as a vassal state.

Mariya

Vassal of the Hittites?

fl c.1360s? BC

Hakkana / Hakkani

Vassal of the Hittites.

Hakkana agrees to a treaty with the Hittite king, Suppiluliuma, and marries his sister.

c.1336 BC

Hayasa-Azzi appears to remain a vassal of the Hittites and is perhaps hit by the same plague which kills Suppiluliuma and, soon after, his son.

fl c.1326 BC

Anniya

Vassal of the Hittites, 'Lord of Azzi'.

c.1326 BC

While the Hittites are occupied with the Kaskans under Pihhuniya, Anniya raids the land of Dankuwa on the Hittite border, capturing the area's population. He refuses to release his prisoners. Mursili II immediately attacks the border fortress of Ura and, the following spring, crosses the Euphrates and settles his army at Ingalova.

c.1324 BC

Hayasa-Azzi remains undefeated. Anniya launches a major counter-offensive by once again invading the Upper Land region on the Hittite north-eastern frontier, destroying the land of Istitina and placing the city of Kannuwara under siege.

c.1323 - 1321 BC

The Hittites launch a major attack against Hayasa-Azzi's forces in the Upper Land, resoundingly defeating them. The following year, Hayasa-Azzi itself is invaded and re-conquered. Hayasa-Azzi formally submits in 1321 BC. It is never again mentioned as a unified state in either Hittite or Assyrian records.

c.1200 BC

If the old state even exists by this date as a recognisable entity, it now vanishes during the Bronze Age collapse. The Nairi emerge in the region of Lake Van, followed subsequently by the kingdom of Urartu.