Suppiluliuma I
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Suppiluliuma I (Shuppiluliuma) was king of the Hittites (1358 BC – 1323 BC). He achieved fame as a great warrior and statesman, successfully challenging the then-dominant Egyptian empire for control of the lands between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates.
He took advantage of the tumultuous reign of the Pharaoh Akhenaten, and seized control of Egyptian territory in Syria, inciting many Egyptian vassals to revolt. His success encouraged the widow of the Egyptian king Nibhuruyiras (usually identified with Akhenaten or his father, Amenhotep III) to write to him, asking him to send one of his sons to be her husband, and rule Egypt. Suppliluliuma sent an ambassador to investigate, who reported that the situation was accurately described, and the king decided to take advantage of this windfall; unfortunately, Prince Zannanza died on the way, and the marriage alliance never was consummated.
Suppiluliuma also crushed the independent Mitanni kingdom, reducing it to a client state under his son-in-law Shattiwazza; and rebuilt the Hittite capital at Hattusas.
The Annals of Suppiluliuma, compiled after his death by his son Mursili II, is an important primary source for the 14th century BC. One of Suppiluliuma's letters, addressed to Akenaten, was preserved in the Amarna letters (EA 41).
See also
| Preceded by: Hattusili II | Hittite king | Succeeded by: Arnuwanda II |