Ancient History - Part 16: The Sleeping Giant Wakes

The last of the wars between the Hittites and the Egyptians ended and culminated in the Great Treaty of both nations in 1266 BC. Kings Hattushil and Ramses II, respectively, agreed upon and oversaw a permanent end to a multigenerational hostility betwixt their kingdoms. It was during this period that saw Shalmaneser I (1276-1257) take the Assyrian throne and carry out his reign.

The juxtaposition of power when comparing Hatti with Assyria is an unmistakable pattern witnessed by history upon a multitude of occurrences: When one empire is on the decline, another rapidly advances into power.

This period is without exception.

As king Hattushil of the Hittites sheathed his sword in favor of using his voice to obtain victory for his people, and many victories were inarguably achieved by his diplomatic gift (alliances with the Mitanni, Babylonia, Syria, and now Egypt), this new Assyrian king was even more fierce on the battlefield than any commander her armies had ever seen. King Shalmaneser rapidly mustered his forces and invaded the mountainous northern region of Assyria's borders.

Within three days of bloody battle, the lands (modern day Armenia) belonging to the Khalila, Uadkin, Uruadri, Zingun, Khimme, Bargun, Salua, Lukha, and Nilipakrhi were all supremely subdued and conquered, their homelands annexed into Assyria's grasp*. Upon defeat, every lord and chieftain bent the knee and paid their new masters tribute without quarrel. And with the opposition defeated, Assyria was free to expand where the Hittites, Kassites, and Persians failed to curb her hunger, despite doing so in all other direction.

The power of the Hittites was waning and despite every measure, calculated maneuver, and opportunity taken by Hattushil up till an inevitable culmination of war with Assyria, the Hittite king was about to discover a harsh critical lesson. . .

Every leader has a plan until they must face the blade.

*FURTHER MENTION OF THESE TRIBES ON RECOVERED INSCRIPTIONS CHISELED UPON CUNEIFORM DURING THE 1100s BC SUGGEST THAT DESPITE THEIR SUBMISSION TO ASSYRIA, THESE PEOPLES WERE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO LIVE AND THRIVE, FOR MANY CENTURIES UNDER ASSYRIAN RULE. ANY POTENTIAL SUBJUGATION OF THEIR CULTURE AS WELL AS THE DETAILS OF TREATMENT AS SUBJECTS IS INCONCLUSIVE AT THIS TIME AND OPENS QUESTION FOR DEBATE.