Issue S013 of 14 September 2001

A Hittite Treaty with Wilusa [13th c. BCE]

Treaty between Muwattalli II of Hatti and Alaksandu of Wilusa [Extracts]


[Full text published in Gary Beckman, Hittite Diplomatic texts, Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1996, 2nd ed. 1999.


Thus says My Majesty, Muwattalli, Great King, [King] of Hatti, beloved of the Storm-god of Lightning; son of Mursili. Great King. Hero:

[Historical Background]

Formerly, when my forefather Labarna had conquered all the lands of Arzawa and the land of Wilusa, thereafter the land of Arzawa began war, and the land of Wilusa defected from Hatti -but because the matter is long past, E do not know from which King. [And] when the land of Wilusa [ defected] from Hatti, its people were indeed at peace with the Kings of Hatti from afar, [and] they regularly sent [them messengers]. But when Tudhaliya came [ ...] against the land of Arzawa, he did not enter [the land of Wilusa. It was] at peace [with him] and regularly sent [him messengers. ...] and Tudhaliya [ ...] forefathers in the land [of ...]

...
[The Alliance]

[ ...When your] day of death arrives, Alaksandu, then [ ...] In regard to the [son] of yours whom you designate for kingship -[whether he is by] your wife or by your concubine, and even if he is still a child- if the population of the land refuses him and says as follows: He is the progeny [ ...]" - I, My Majesty. will not agree. Later my son and my grandson, to the first and second generation, will protect that one alone. You, Alaksandu, benevolently protect My Majesty. And later protect my son and my grandson, to the first and second generation. And as E, My Majesty, protected you, Alaksandu, in good will because of the word of your father, and came to your aid, and killed your enemy for you, later in the future my sons and my grandsons will certainly protect your descendant for you, to the first and second generation. If some enemy arises for you, I will not abandon you, just as I have not now abandoned you, I will kill your enemy for you. But if your brother or someone of your family revolts against you, Alaksandu, or later someone revolts against your son or your grandsons, and they seek the kingship of the land of Wilusa, I, My Majesty, will absolutely not depose you, Alaksandu.

...
[Divine Witnesses]

Abara of Samuha. Hantitassu of Hurma, Katahha of Ankuwa, the Queen of Katapa, Ammamma of Tahurpa, Hallara of Dunna, Huwassanna of Hupisna, the mountain-dweller gods, the mercenary gods, all the male and female deities, all the primeval deities -Nara, Namsara, Ammunki, Tuhusi, Minki, Ammizzadu, Alalu, Kumarbi, AcE?E, Ninlil - Mount Hulla, Mount Zaliyanu, Mount Taha, the mountains, the rivers, and the springs of Hatti, the great sea, heaven and earth, the winds, the clouds, all the [deities] of the land of Wilusa: the Storm-god of the Army. E ...]appaliuna, the male deities, the female deities, the mountains, [the rivers, the springs], and the underground watercourse(?) of the land of Wilusa, E, My Majesty, IGreat] King, beloved of the Storm-god of Lightning, have summoned them to assembly in witness.

...


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