Lukka lands

The Lukka countries, also Luqqa are often mentioned in Hittite writings. There is thus a region probably referred in the western South Asia Minor, who could never be brought completely under Hittite control and whose inhabitants were mostly viewed as hostile by the Hittites.

Localization

Due to the translation and interpretation of a found in Hattusa bronze plaque on which the treaty between Tudhalija IV and Kurunta is held, the assumptions of many researchers have confirmed that the Lukka countries were in the western southern Asia Minor. They should about the ancient landscape Lycia - have included and parts of Pisidia - whose name may be etymologically due to Lukka. Some experts are still other locations of Lukka countries, especially in the northwest of Asia Minor.

Through the discovery of the inscription of hieroglyphenluwischen Yalburt in which the countries Lukka, Awarna, Talawa, Wiyanawanda and Pina -x, and mountain Patar be mentioned as part of a military campaign, a localization in the southwest seems assured. Linguistically the mentioned countries can be very well compared with places of Lycia and Caria later:

  • Winuwanda ( heth. ) - Oinoanda ( gr )
  • Awarna ( heth. ) - ' WRN ( Aramaic ) - Arñna ( lyk. ) - Xanthos ( gr ) located at Patara
  • Talawa ( heth. ) - Tlawa ( lyk. ) - Tlos ( gr )
  • Pina (-x ) ( heth. ) - Pinale ( lyk. ) - Pinara ( gr )

The mountain Patar can be equated with the Lycian city Pttara ( Patara ).

It can be assumed that in the region Lycian or other Luwian language was spoken. It may well have been Luwians.

Other documents set Lukka in the near or distant neighborhood of:

  • Karkisa ( Caria )
  • Masa - possibly Manisa, Manisa Province today - or Mysia in the northwest
  • Tamina
  • Ikuna - possibly Konya, gr Iconium, Iconium Latin
  • Wilusa

According to these sources also Winuwanda was to be understood as an autonomous city-state or independent dominion. The name of the Hittites to have been associated with large parts of Turkey or Anatolia to a screen, whereby the plain meaning of wine country here hides behind the term. For the period 1700-1200 BC, there are particular from Konya Karahöyük diverse archaeological finds that support the vine growing and therefore the wine production.

History

Mercenaries from the Lukka countries who fought on the Hittite side at the Battle of Kadesh against Ramses II. Shortly before the collapse of the Hittite Empire (ca. 1190/1180 BC) had to lead its ruler Suppiuliuma II heavy and lossy fighting against the inhabitants of Lukka countries. Perhaps therefore the Lukka countries were involved at least indirectly to the collapse of the empire.

The Luka mentioned in Egyptian texts from the time of Merenptah. It therefore appears very likely inhabitants of the Lukka countries be meant. They took BC in part on the Libyan authorities on Libyerkrieg as mercenaries, as well as some ( other ) " Sea Peoples ", ca 1209/ 08.

Odelzhausen Etymology Oenoanda Merneptah
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