Arawanna facts for kids

Arawanna (also known as Ara-Wanna or I҆rwnt) was an important ancient city-state and region. It was located in the southwestern part of the Armenian Highlands. Today, this area is near the modern town of Elbistan. Arawanna existed during the Bronze Age, a very old period in history.

Arawanna was connected to both the Hittite and Luwian cultures. The Hittites were a powerful empire in ancient times. Arawanna is mentioned in the ancient records of Hittite kings, like Mursili II. These records, called annals, tell us about the history of the region.

Arawanna and the Hittite Empire

Arawanna was often involved with the powerful Hittite Empire. Sometimes, Arawanna was a part of the Hittite Empire. Other times, it rebelled against Hittite rule.

Early Conflicts

King Mursili II wrote that Arawanna once invaded the land of the Kaskians. This happened when Šuppiluliuma I was the Hittite king. Šuppiluliuma I was a very strong ruler. He managed to bring Arawanna and other rebellious city-states back under Hittite control.

Later, Arawanna joined other states in a rebellion against another Hittite king, Tudhaliya III. They even had support from the king of Mitanni, Shuttarna II. This shows that Arawanna was a significant player in the politics of the time.

Arawanna at the Battle of Kadesh

Arawanna played a role in one of the most famous battles of the ancient world. This was the Battle of Kadesh. The Battle of Kadesh was fought between the Hittite empire and ancient Egypt. Arawanna was one of the allied states that fought alongside the Hittites in this major conflict.

Arawanna's Legacy

Arawanna was more than just a city-state. It was also considered the homeland of an important royal family. This was the Eruandid dynasty, also known as the Yervanduni or Orontid dynasty. This dynasty later became the first historically known Armenian royal family. This connection makes Arawanna a significant place in the early history of Armenia.