Arzawa

Arzawan is the name of a Hittite empire and a region in western Asia Minor and was probably inhabited by Luwians. In the 15th and early 14th century BC Arzawan had his political power peak and was at times - during a period of weakness of the Hittite Empire - the leading power in Asia Minor. At that time it was in contact with Egypt, as evidenced by letters in the Amarna archives (EA 31, EA 32). From the mid- 14th century Arzawan was conquered by little by the Hittites. Already Suppiuliuma probably undertook a campaign against Arzawan, of which, however, are handed down any direct, contemporary sources. His son and successor Mursili II succeeded in a two-year campaign Arzawan and take his capital APASA. The area of Arzawan was then probably, so Mira, Seha and Ḫapalla divided among the vassal princes of the " Arzawan countries," said Mira clearly held a leading position since its king Mašḫuiluwa had supported in Arzawakrieg the only the Hittites.

The core area of Arzawan lay in the valley of the Maeander and the capital APASA was in all probability predecessor of ancient Ephesus. In the south, it bordered on the Lukka - countries in the field of ancient Lycia

In Arzawan Luwian was spoken, which can be detected by means of the traditional personal names.

Perhaps the Troad ( Tarwiša, WILUSA ) belonged to the sphere of influence of Arzawan and thus at least culturally and for zone of influence of the Hittite Empire. James Mellaart expects the sanctuary of Eflatun Pınar the area of Arzawan.

The known rulers Arzawa

• Kubantakurunta, 1400
• Tarḫuntaradu, 1370
• Anzapaḫḫadu, 1350
• Uḫḫazidi until about 1316