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Arnuwanda I facts for kids

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Arnuwanda I
Occupation King of the Hittite Empire
Predecessor Tudhaliya I
Successor Tudhaliya II
Spouse(s) Queen Ašmu-nikal
Children King Tudhaliya II
Prince Ašmi-Šarruma
Parent(s) unknown
Relatives Tudhaliya III (grandson)
Suppiluliuma I (grandson)

Arnuwanda I was an important king of the Hittite Empire, an ancient kingdom. He became king around 1390–1380 BC. He was known for being very religious and became ruler through marriage.

Becoming King of the Hittites

Arnuwanda became king by marrying Ašmu-nikal. She was the daughter of the previous king, Tudhaliya I. This made Arnuwanda the son-in-law and chosen successor of Tudhaliya.

  • Arnuwanda started his rule alongside King Tudhaliya. This is called a co-regency, where two rulers share power.

Challenges During His Reign

During Arnuwanda's time, the Hittite kingdom faced many problems. It was a period known as 'concentric invasions'. This means enemies surrounded the Hittites from all sides.

  • A powerful enemy was the kingdom of Arzawa. Arzawa was located to the southwest of the Hittite lands.
  • Arnuwanda might have led an attack against Arzawa. However, this attack was not successful.

King Tarhuntaradu of Arzawa

At this time, Arzawa was led by a strong king named Tarhuntaradu. He even communicated with the Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The Egyptians saw Arzawa as a very powerful kingdom. They believed Arzawa could control the entire region.

Moving the Capital

The Hittite capital city, Hattusa, was attacked and damaged. Because of this, the royal family had to move. They set up a temporary home, probably in a place called Samuha.

  • Later, under a king named Suppiluliuma I, the Hittites won back many of their lost lands.

Who Ruled Next?

After Arnuwanda I, his successor was Tudhaliya III. Some experts also call him Tudhaliya II.

  • Suppiluliuma I, who helped the Hittites recover, was the son of Tudhaliya II/III.

Royal Family of Arnuwanda I

We do not know who Arnuwanda's parents were. He was the son-in-law of King Tudhaliya and Queen Nikal-mati.

  • Arnuwanda had two sons. One was Prince Ašmi-Šarruma.
  • His other son was King Tudhaliya II (also known as Tudhaliya II/III).
  • There is an old text where Arnuwanda names his son Tudhaliya as the next king.
Himuili?
Tudhaliya I/II Nikkalmati
Arnuwanda I Asmunikal
Hattusili II? Tudhaliya III Daduhepa Zida
Tudhaliya the Young Henti (1) Šuppiluliuma I (2) Tawananna
Arnuwanda II Telipinu Sarri-Kusuh Zannanza Gassulawiya (1) Mursili II (2) Tanuhepa
Talmi-Sarruma Sahurunuwa Muwatalli II Halpasulupi Massanauzzi Hattusili III Puduhepa
Ini-Tesub Urhi-Tesub Kurunta Nerikkaili numerous daughters and sons Tudhaliya IV
Talmi-Tesub Hartapu Arnuwanda III Suppiluliuma II
Kuzi-Tesub
  • (1) = 1st spouse
  • (2) = 2nd spouse
  • Small caps indicates a Great King (LUGAL.GAL) of the Land of Hatti; italic small caps indicates a Great Queen or Tawananna.
  • Dashed lines indicate adoption.
  • Solid lines indicate marriage (if horizontal) or parentage (if vertical).
References:
  • Trevor Bryce (1997). The Kingdom of the Hittites. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press.
  • Trevor Bryce (2012). The World of the Neo-Hittite Kingdoms. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.
  • Volkert Haas (2006). Die hethitische Literatur. Berlin, Germany: de Gruyter.
Notes:

Gallery

  • Prayers of Arnuwanda and Asmu-Nikkal, 14th century BC, from Hattusa, Istanbul Archaeological Museum

    Prayers of Arnuwanda and Asmu-Nikkal, 14th century BC, from Hattusa, Istanbul Archaeological Museum

  • Gifts given by Arnuwanda and Asmu-Nikkal, 14th century BC, from Hattusa, Istanbul Archaeological Museum

    Gifts given by Arnuwanda and Asmu-Nikkal, 14th century BC, from Hattusa, Istanbul Archaeological Museum

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Arnuwanda I para niños

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