Shuttarna III

Shuttarna III
King of Mitanni
Reign	1345+ BC
Predecessor	Tushratta (assassinated)
Successor	Shattiwaza
Father	Artatama II (pretender)

Shuttarna III was an usurper to the throne of Mitanni who reigned for a short period in the late 14th century BC.

Reign

He was the son of Artatama II, a usurper to the throne of Tushratta. ^[1]

Conquest of Carchemish

In 1345 BC, the conquest of Carchemish by Suppiluliuma I led to the assassination of Tushratta of Mitanni, marking the end of the Mitanni Empire. In a civil war of succession, Shuttarna III usurped the throne, while Shattiwaza fled to Suppiluliuma I of the Hittites in the west.

War of Succession

In the East, Shuttarna III sought the support of Ashur-uballit I of Assyria (r. 1353-1318 BC). However, he was defeated when a Hittite army marched towards the capital and installed Shattiwaza on the throne. The events are described in the Shattiwaza Treaty (CTH 51+52). ^[2]

In the south, Burnaburiash II of Karduniash (Babylon; 1359-1333 BC) remained neutral in the rivalry between Hatti and Assyria for the remains of Mitanni.

See also

• Asia portal

• Mitanni

References

1. Pruzsinszky, Regine. "Emar and the Transition from Hurrian to Hittite Power". Representations of Political Power: Case Histories from Times of Change and Dissolving Order in the Ancient Near East, edited by Marlies Heinz and Marian H. Feldman, University Park, USA: Penn State University Press, 2021, pp. 21-38
2. Devecchi, Elena. “Details That Make the Difference: The Akkadian Manuscripts of the ‘Šattiwaza Treaties.’” Die Welt Des Orients, vol. 48, no. 1, 2018, pp. 72–95

Preceded by Artatama II

Mitanni king late 14th century BC

Succeeded by Shattiwaza