Ḫattušili I facts for kids
Hattusili I (pronounced Ha-too-SEE-lee) was an important king of the Hittite Old Kingdom. He ruled a long time ago, around 1650 to 1620 BCE. Some experts think his reign might have been a bit later, from 1640 to 1610 BCE.
Archaeologists found signs of a city being destroyed around the time Hattusili I was king. This happened in a place called Zincirli Höyük in Southern Turkey. This event might have been part of his military campaigns. It could also help confirm the earlier dates for his rule. This destruction might have been part of Hattusili's plan. He wanted to stop trade routes that connected different areas. These routes linked the Euphrates River, North Syria, and Central Anatolia.
Hattusili I used the title Labarna when he first became king. It's not clear if he was the second king to use this name, making him Labarna II. Or if he was the same person as Labarna I, who is usually listed as the king before him.
During his time as king, he moved the capital city. It moved from Neša to Ḫattuša. He then took the name Ḫattušili to celebrate this big move.
He is the earliest Hittite ruler for whom we have records from his own time. Besides being "King of Ḫattuša," he also called himself "Man of Kuššara." This was a way to remember Kuššara, the old capital and original home of the Hittites. They lived there before they moved to Neša.
King Hattusili's Campaigns
In 1957, a special clay tablet was found. It was written in both the Hittite and Akkadian language. This tablet is known as the "Annals of Hattusili I." It tells us about five years of his reign. Experts believe this tablet is a copy made long after Hattusili I died.
In these records, Hattusili I said he expanded the Hittite kingdom all the way to the sea.
- In his first year of fighting, he reached the cities of Sanahuitta and Zalpa. He couldn't conquer Sanahuitta, but he did attack and take over Zalpa.
- In his second year, he claimed to have taken control of Alalakh. He also conquered other cities in Syria. These cities were west of the Euphrates River. They were also north of Carchemish. These cities were allied with the Yamhad kingdom.
- In the third year, he went to fight in Arzawa. This was a land in western Anatolia. The records only say he "went to the land of Arzawa and took away its cattle and sheep."
- In his fourth year, he finally captured Sanahuitta. This happened after a long siege that lasted five months.
- The fifth year was his last campaign. The records list many cities and lands he conquered. He crossed the Euphrates River. He claimed that no one had done this before him. Only King Sargon of Akkad had crossed the river, but in the opposite direction.
A King's Last Wishes
The end of Hattusili's reign is very important. This is because of a special document called his "Succession Proclamation." This document was written as if Hattusili himself was speaking. It tells us that he came back wounded from his last military campaign.
While he was on his deathbed, he was very angry. He was upset with his chosen heir. He felt his heir was plotting against him with his mother and cousins. Because of this, Hattusili decided to change his mind. He announced that his grandson, Mursili I, would be the next king instead. He strongly told his army and all his officials to obey Mursili.
These arguments are written on a tablet. It is sometimes called the "Testament of Hattusili I." In this document, he clearly rejects his nephew as his successor. He names his grandson Mursili I to take the throne. Like the "Annals," this "Testament" only survived as a copy made much later.
It seems Hattusili's plan worked! Mursili did become king. He continued Hattusili's military campaigns. Mursili eventually conquered Aleppo and even attacked Babylon.
See also
In Spanish: Hattusili I para niños
