Arma-Tarhunta

Arma-Tarhunta was a high Hittite dignitary known from various sources. As the highest function he was in the office of governor of the Upper Country around 1280 BC. Active. Arma-Tarhunta was related to the royal family and was probably a nephew of King Šuppiluliuma I. His father was a certain Zita. Disputes have come down to us from contemporary texts. For reasons unknown, Arma-Tarhunta was to be removed from office. Great King Muwattalli II put his brother Ḫattušili (who later became Ḫattušili III ) into the office of governor. Arma-Tarhunta then intrigued against Ḫattušili and provided the great king with information that led to a court hearing against Ḫattušili. Ḫattušili survived the process with an acquittal. A short time later Ḫattušili went to war and fought against the Egyptians in the Battle of Kadesh . At this time Arma-Tarhunta was expanding his power in the homeland. He was accused of enchanting the capital of the Upper Land, Šamuḫa . The use of magic was considered a most serious crime, usually punishable by death. However, because of his old age, he was not sentenced to death. His family was exiled to Cyprus . What happened to him is not documented, but he probably went to Cyprus as well. His property was confiscated.

literature

• Tayfun Bilgin: Officials and Administration in the Hittite World , Berlin, Boston 2018, ISBN 978-1-5015-1662-7 , p. 81
• Andreas Müller-Karpe: Sarissa: The rediscovery of a Hittite royal city Philipp von Zabern Verlag, 2017. ISBN 978-3-8053-5057-0 . Pp. 60-61