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Pitḫana (Pythanas[1]) was the King of Kuššara in Central Anatolia during the late Middle Bronze IIA (late 18th century BCE). His dynasty laid the foundation and was a forerunner of the future Old Hittite Kingdom (Hittite).[2]

Reign

Samsu-Iluna of Babylon

Pithana appears to be contemporary of Samsu-Iluna of Babylon (r. 1749-1712 BCE). At Tell al-Rimah (Qaṭṭarā), a seal was discovered belonging to Ilī-Samas, servant of Pithana. Pithana was the king of Kuššara. A sealed tablet by Ilī-Samas (OBTR 317) was dated to the eponym of Uṣur-ša-Aššur (KEL G 131), corresponding to Year 22/23 of Samsu-iluna of Babylon (c. 1728/27 BCE hMC).[3]

Conquest of Kanesh

Following the death of Shamshi-Adad I around 1775 BCE, the Assyrian Trade Network in Anatolia fell apart as the Old Assyrian Kingdom weakened. With the death of Hammurabi of Babylon in 1750 BCE, two great powers of trade declined within a short period of time affecting demand/supply along the trade routes into Anatolia. While Kanesh (Level IB) had been a powerful trade center in the first part of the Middle Bronze IIA (c. 1820-1750 BCE), the second part of MB IIA (c. 1750-1630 BCE) saw its decline. The economic downturn caused both political turmoil and power shifts in Central Anatolia. Kanesh had already been raided by Uḫna of Zalpuwa, who took the statue of the god Siusum from Nesa to Zalpuwa.[4] Pithana of Kussara was one petty king who exploited this to expand his power and territory, while his son Anitta brought the statue back to Kanesh.

Pithana is best known for the Conquest of Kanesh,[5] heart of the Assyrian trading colonies network in Anatolia, and core of the Hittite-speaking territories. Dendrochronology indicates, based on the timber from the “Warshama Palace” and associated structures, that Kanesh Level Ib period lasted until roughly 1719 BCE.[6]

Succession

He was succeeded by his son, Anitta, who is best known for conquering Hattusa, the future Hittite capital, and memorializing his achievement using the Hittite language.

See also

References

  1. ^ Fortson, Benjamin W. IV (2004), Indo-European Language and Culture, Blackwell Publishing, ISBN 1-4051-0316-7
  2. ^ Kuhrt, Amélie (1995). The Ancient Near East, Volume I. London and New York: Routledge. p. 226. ISBN 0-415-16763-9.
  3. ^ Lacambre, Denis; Nahm, Werner (2015). “Pithana, an Anatolian ruler in the time of Samsuiluna of Babylon: New data from Tell Rimah (Iraq)”. Revue d’Assyriologie et d’archéologie orientale. 109. Presses Universitaires de France. ISSN 0373-6032. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  4. ^ Text of Anitta KBo 3.22
  5. ^ Kuhrt, Amélie (1995). The Ancient Near East, Volume I. London and New York: Routledge. p. 226. ISBN 0-415-16763-9.
  6. ^ Manning et al. 2016