Bryce Wagoner
During the Late Bronze Age the kingdoms of Hatti, land of the Hittites and Mittani, land of the Hurrians waged a war for control over Syria. The Hittite king took the initiative, and after his successful invasion of Ishuwa on Mittani's northern flank, Suppililiuma marched to attack his enemies heartland.
By 1350 BCE Suppililiuma had control of the northernmost of the three major crossing points of the upper Euphrates River. These crossings and trade routes had been used at least since the times of Old Assyrian colonial expansion nearly 1000 years before. The main route through Ishuwa ran eastward and extended towards Lake Van, it connected to a southern passage along the headwaters of the Tigris that lead to the upper Khabur River Valley which was the center of Mittani power. After overrunning defenses in Ishuwa It is possible to imagine the Hittite army marching along this well known trade route directly into the Mittani capital district in central Syria.
South From Ishuwa
As the Hittites moved, they would have been compelled to transport vast amounts of equipment, including hundreds of chariots, which had to be broken down and moved in more durable wagons. At the same time other wagons were also moving back to Hatti with captured livestock and grain, while a constant flow of messengers and scouts radiated out from the central force. It is possible that at this time Suppililiuma sent another letter to the Mittani king inviting him out to do battle. There is no indication that the Mittani king sent any reply, but all the records are clear that no battle was offered.
