Seha River Land | |
|---|---|
 Location of the Seha River Land | |
| Status | Vassal state of theHittite Empire |
| Capital | Kaymakçı Tepe (hypothesized) |
| Government | Kingdom |
• c. 1300 BC | Manapa-Tarhunta |
| Historical era | Bronze Age |
| Today part of | Aegean Region,Turkey |
TheSeha River Land was a kingdom in WesternAnatolia in theLate Bronze Age known fromHittite texts. Part ofArzawa, it was located north ofMira and south ofWilusa, and at one point controlled the island ofLazpa (modern Lesbos).[1]
The Seha River Land was a reluctant vassal state of theHittite Empire, and much of its known history was turbulent. TheAnnals of Mursili II recount how theHittite kingMursili II consolidated power over the region around 1320 BC, crushing a revolt in which the Seha River Land participated. According to Mursili, he besieged the Seha River Land's capital and was on the verge of destroying it when he accepted a last minute mercy plea fromKing Manapa-Tarhunta's own mother, delivered right outside the city gates. A treaty was drawn up which confirmed Manapa-Tarhunta's status as a Hittite vassal, though he once again had to plead for mercy in theManapa-Tarhunta letter, this time because of his failure to provide Mursili with timely military support.[2][1]
Manapa-Tarhunta was eventually deposed and replaced by someone named Masturi, who may have been his son. Masturi's ascent to the throne was supported by Mursili's successorMuwatalli II, and the kingdom appears to have remained loyal to the Hittites under his rule. However, it once again revolted after Masturi was himself deposed by someone named Tarhunta-Radu, seemingly with the support of theAhhiyawa. This revolt was crushed by the Hittite kingTudhaliya IV, after which a descendant of Manapa-Tarhunta was reinstalled on the Seha River Land's throne.[2][1]
Muwa-Walwi was the king of the Seha River Land as well as Appawiya during the time ofSuppiluliuma I. In CTH 211, the Hittites refer to the "descendant of Muwawalwi" indicating he formed a dynasty. However, his death led to a war of succession between his sons Manapa-Tarhunta and Ura-Tarhunta.[citation needed]
In theTreaty of Tudhaliya IV and Kurunta of Tarhuntassa, Mašturi is mentioned as a witness along with other notable rulers like Ini-Teshub of Carchemish, Alantalli of Mira, Bentesina of Amurru etc.
The Seha River itself is generally identified with theBakırçay River or theGediz River, but the kingdom's precise location has not been conclusively identified.[4] The leading candidate for the site of its capital isKaymakçı Tepe near the Gediz River, where excavations since 2014 have revealed a major Bronze Age settlement whose citadel is more than four times larger than that of contemporaryTroy.[5][6]
Max Gander suggested that evidence would also be compatible with the Seha River Land being located south ofEphesus, and closer to the valley ofMeander River. As part of this argument, he suggests that theManapa-Tarhunta letter need not be read as implying that Seha ruled Lesbos.[7]
| Bronze Age | |
|---|---|
| Iron Age | |
| Classical Age | |
Authority control databases: Geographic |
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