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Assuwa ( hit, 𒀸𒋗𒉿, translit=aš-šu-wa, link=yes; gmy, 𐀀𐀯𐀹𐀊, translit=a-si-wi-ja, link=yes) was a
confederation A confederation (also known as a confederacy or league) is a union of sovereign groups or states united for purposes of common action. Usually created by a treaty, confederations of states tend to be established for dealing with critical iss ...
of 22 states in western
Anatolia Anatolia, tr, Anadolu Yarımadası), and the Anatolian plateau, also known as Asia Minor, is a large peninsula in Western Asia and the westernmost protrusion of the Asian continent. It constitutes the major part of modern-day Turkey. The re ...
around 1400 BC. The confederation formed to oppose the Hittite Empire, but was defeated under Tudhaliya I/II. The name was recorded in various centres in Mycenaean Greece as ''Asswia'', which latter acquired the form ''Asia''.


Etymology

Assuwa is identified most conclusively in Hittite records as ''aš-šu-wa'' and also as ''a-si-wi-ja'', ''a-si-wi-jo'', ''a-si-ja-ti-ja'', ''a-''𐁗''-ja'', and ''a-''𐁗-''jo'' in the Linear B script of Mycenaean Greece. Less conclusive is the ''a-su-ja'' in the Linear A script of the Minoans, though it is considered as containing “Greek-like elements” and possibly related to the Linear B form.Cline, Eric H. “Achilles in Anatolia: Myth, History, and the Assuwa Rebellion,” in Crossing Boundaries and Linking Horizons: Studies in Honor of Michael Astour on His 80th Birthday, Gordon D. Young, Mark W. Chavalas, and Richard E. Averbeck, eds. (Bethesda, MD: CDL Press, 1997), pp. 189–210. The Egyptian ''a-six-ja'' (transliterated as ''isy'') has long been the subject of scholastic debate as to whether it refers to Assuwa or Alashiya.


History

Assuwa appears in the historical record around 1400 BC. It is mentioned in six surviving Hittite documentsCline, Eric H. “Achilles in Anatolia: Myth, History, and the Assuwa Rebellion,” in Crossing Boundaries and Linking Horizons: Studies in Honor of Michael Astour on His 80th Birthday, Gordon D. Young, Mark W. Chavalas, and Richard E. Averbeck, eds. (Bethesda, MD: CDL Press, 1997), pp. 189–210. including the ''Annals of Tudhaliya I/II'', which gives a detailed account of the Assuwans' rebellion and its aftermath. In most cases, the states are mentioned in the no or few contemporaneous sources available. However, ''Karkiya'' has generally been identified with
Caria Caria (; from Greek: Καρία, ''Karia''; tr, Karya) was a region of western Anatolia extending along the coast from mid- Ionia (Mycale) south to Lycia and east to Phrygia. The Ionian and Dorian Greeks colonized the west of it and joine ...
, ''Taruisa'' with the Troas (Troad) peninsula, and ''Wilusiya'' with Wilusa, which was apparently the Hitite name for the city of Troy (or Ilios). The historical Lycia and/or '' Lukka'' have frequently been identified with ''Warsiya'' and '' gga''. For instance, in the ''
Iliad The ''Iliad'' (; grc, Ἰλιάς, Iliás, ; "a poem about Ilium") is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. As with the ''Ody ...
'',
Homer Homer (; grc, Ὅμηρος , ''Hómēros'') (born ) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the ''Iliad'' and the ''Odyssey'', two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the ...
refers to two separate areas as "Lycia": Sarpedon is a leader of the "distant Lycia" (in ''2.876-77, 5.479'') and Pandarus is the leader of Lycians, from around Mount Ida (''2.824ff. 5.105''). Likewise, the Alaksandu Treaty identifies ''Warsiyalla'' with the ''Lukka''. Circumstantial evidence raises the possibility that Ahhiyawans may have supported the rebellion. For instance, a Mycenaean-style sword found at Hattusa bears an inscription suggesting that it was taken from an Assuwan soldier and left as an offering to the Hittite storm god. Some scholars have speculated that certain details in the ''
Iliad The ''Iliad'' (; grc, Ἰλιάς, Iliás, ; "a poem about Ilium") is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. As with the ''Ody ...
'' could reflect a memory of this conflict, including the seemingly anachronistic character of Ajax as well as references to pre-
Trojan War In Greek mythology, the Trojan War was waged against the city of Troy by the Achaeans ( Greeks) after Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband Menelaus, king of Sparta. The war is one of the most important events in Greek mythology and ...
escapades of Bellerophon and
Heracles Heracles ( ; grc-gre, Ἡρακλῆς, , glory/fame of Hera), born Alcaeus (, ''Alkaios'') or Alcides (, ''Alkeidēs''), was a divine hero in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, and the foster son of Amphitryon.By his adoptiv ...
in Anatolia.


References


See also

* Arzawa * Ancient regions of Anatolia {{DEFAULTSORT:Assuwa League States and territories established in the 15th century BC States and territories disestablished in the 14th century BC Trojan War Former confederations