DU-Teššup
Encyclopedia
DU–Teššup was the son of Aziru
, of the 1350-1335 BC Amarna letters
correspondence
, and also the father of Aziru's successor, in Amurru
-(regional Syria
). DU-Teššup's name refers to the Hurrian
god of sky and storm, Teshub
.
Aziru, and his father Abdi-Ashirta
, were some of the major instigating forces-(in the north) causing conflict with the Egyptian
pharaoh
, as cities–('city-states'), and regions were under constant threat and destruction in the northern, and western Canaan region-(Lebanon
, and southern Syria
).
DU–Teššup is the presumed author of tablet-letter EA 169-(EA is for 'el Amarna
') written to pharaoh, requesting Aziru's return from "forced"
consultation. DU–Teššup is not mentioned by name in the Amarna letters corpus
.
, and personal aspirations of total control, and their personal aggrandizement. (This probably, partially led to Abdi-Ashirta's death and removal from the scene, but since his son Aziru became the major player, Abdi-Ashirta's age can also be presumed.)
Besides Pharaoh, Tutu
, the Egyptian official is addressed. The local Sutean
s-(mercenaaries, etc.?) and the region of Nuhašše
are also the subject of this letter.
Aziru
Aziru was the Canaanite ruler of Amurru, modern Lebanon, in the fourteenth century BC. He was the son of Abdi-Ashirta, the previous Egyptian vassal of Amurru and a direct contemporary of Akhenaten.The dealings of Aziru are well-known from the Amarna letters...
, of the 1350-1335 BC Amarna letters
Amarna letters
The Amarna letters are an archive of correspondence on clay tablets, mostly diplomatic, between the Egyptian administration and its representatives in Canaan and Amurru during the New Kingdom...
correspondence
Text corpus
In linguistics, a corpus or text corpus is a large and structured set of texts...
, and also the father of Aziru's successor, in Amurru
Amurru
Amurru and Martu are names given in Akkadian and Sumerian texts to the god of the Amorite/Amurru people, often forming part of personal names. He is sometimes called Ilu Amurru . He was the patron god of the Mesopotamian city of Ninab, whose exact location is unknown.-Description:Amurru/Martu was...
-(regional Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
). DU-Teššup's name refers to the Hurrian
Hurrians
The Hurrians were a people of the Ancient Near East who lived in Northern Mesopotamia and adjacent regions during the Bronze Age.The largest and most influential Hurrian nation was the kingdom of Mitanni. The population of the Hittite Empire in Anatolia to a large part consisted of Hurrians, and...
god of sky and storm, Teshub
Teshub
Teshub was the Hurrian god of sky and storm. He was derived from the Hattian Taru. His Hittite and Luwian name was Tarhun , although this name is from the Hittite root *tarh- to defeat, conquer.- Depiction and myths :He is depicted holding a triple...
.
Aziru, and his father Abdi-Ashirta
Abdi-Ashirta
Abdi-Ashirta was the ruler of Amurru, a new kingdom in southern Syria subject to nominal Egyptian control, that was in conflict with King Rib-Hadda of Byblos....
, were some of the major instigating forces-(in the north) causing conflict with the Egyptian
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
pharaoh
Pharaoh
Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace...
, as cities–('city-states'), and regions were under constant threat and destruction in the northern, and western Canaan region-(Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, and southern Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
).
DU–Teššup is the presumed author of tablet-letter EA 169-(EA is for 'el Amarna
Amarna
Amarna is an extensive Egyptian archaeological site that represents the remains of the capital city newly–established and built by the Pharaoh Akhenaten of the late Eighteenth Dynasty , and abandoned shortly afterwards...
') written to pharaoh, requesting Aziru's return from "forced"
consultation. DU–Teššup is not mentioned by name in the Amarna letters corpus
Text corpus
In linguistics, a corpus or text corpus is a large and structured set of texts...
.
History
Aziru was called to Egypt to explain his actions: bad, and good. Aziru wrote, as did his father Abdi-Ashirta, that he was protecting his regions. All the letters from both Aziru and Abdi Ashirta reflect: "the middle conflict", allegiance to pharaoh to the south-(northeast Egypt), control and protection (calling 'to guard') the local cities, (and their rulers), in northern CanaanCanaan
Canaan is a historical region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and the western parts of Jordan...
, and personal aspirations of total control, and their personal aggrandizement. (This probably, partially led to Abdi-Ashirta's death and removal from the scene, but since his son Aziru became the major player, Abdi-Ashirta's age can also be presumed.)
EA 169, title: "Aziru in Egypt"
With introduction damaged, etc.:- "[...may all g]o well.
- "[In me] there is no [dupl]icity. ...[Y]ou may keep me alive [and] you may put me to death. To you alone do I lookProstration formulaIn the 1350 BC correspondence of 382–letters, called the Amarna letters, the Prostration formula is usually the opening subservient remarks to the addressee, the Egyptian pharaoh. The formula is based on Prostration, namely reverence and submissiveness...
, and you alone are my lord. So may my lord heed his servants. Do not delay AziruAziruAziru was the Canaanite ruler of Amurru, modern Lebanon, in the fourteenth century BC. He was the son of Abdi-Ashirta, the previous Egyptian vassal of Amurru and a direct contemporary of Akhenaten.The dealings of Aziru are well-known from the Amarna letters...
, your servant, there (any longer). Send him here immediately so he may guard the countries-(KUR-MEŠ(lands)) of the king, our lord. - "Moreover, to TutuTutu (Egyptian official)Tutu, the Egyptian official, was one of pharaoh's officials during the Amarna letters period: 1350-1335 BC. He is only found in the body of letters from Aziru, and his son, DU-Teššup. Four letters, EA 158, 164, 167, and 169, are addressed to the Pharaoh, by way of Tutu...
, my lord: "Hear the words of the kings of NuhaššeNuhaššeNuhašše, also Nuhašša, was a territory in the Syrian region mentioned in various Middle Eastern documents as between Mari on the Euphrates and Hammath. The 1350 BC Amarna letters correspondence refers to Nuhašše in 11 tablet-letters written in Akkadian cuneiform.The region was generally south of...
". They said to me: "You sold your father [t]o the king of EgyptMizraimMizraim is the Hebrew name for the land of Egypt, with the dual suffix -āyim, perhaps referring to the "two Egypts": Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt....
-(named: MizriMizraimMizraim is the Hebrew name for the land of Egypt, with the dual suffix -āyim, perhaps referring to the "two Egypts": Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt....
) for goldGoldGold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
, and w[he]n will he-(pharaoh) let him go from Egypt?" All the country and all the SuteanSuteanThe Suteans were a tribe who lived throughout the Levant and Canaan circa 1350 BC. They are mentioned in eight of the 382 Amarna letters. Like the Habiru, they traditionally worked as mercenaries....
forces said to me, also to that point,—"Aziru is not going to get out of Egypt." And now the Suteans are deserting the country [and I am] repeatedly informed, "Your father is staying [i]n Eg[yp]t, [and so] we are going to wage war against you."... ...Listen, [my lord. Tut]u, my lord, [let] Aziru go [immediately. ...] ... ...[Now indeed ever]one is d[eser]ting." -EA 169, lines 3-47 (many lacunaeLacuna (manuscripts)A lacunaPlural lacunae. From Latin lacūna , diminutive form of lacus . is a gap in a manuscript, inscription, text, painting, or a musical work...
)
Besides Pharaoh, Tutu
Tutu (Egyptian official)
Tutu, the Egyptian official, was one of pharaoh's officials during the Amarna letters period: 1350-1335 BC. He is only found in the body of letters from Aziru, and his son, DU-Teššup. Four letters, EA 158, 164, 167, and 169, are addressed to the Pharaoh, by way of Tutu...
, the Egyptian official is addressed. The local Sutean
Sutean
The Suteans were a tribe who lived throughout the Levant and Canaan circa 1350 BC. They are mentioned in eight of the 382 Amarna letters. Like the Habiru, they traditionally worked as mercenaries....
s-(mercenaaries, etc.?) and the region of Nuhašše
Nuhašše
Nuhašše, also Nuhašša, was a territory in the Syrian region mentioned in various Middle Eastern documents as between Mari on the Euphrates and Hammath. The 1350 BC Amarna letters correspondence refers to Nuhašše in 11 tablet-letters written in Akkadian cuneiform.The region was generally south of...
are also the subject of this letter.
See also
- Tutu (Egyptian official)Tutu (Egyptian official)Tutu, the Egyptian official, was one of pharaoh's officials during the Amarna letters period: 1350-1335 BC. He is only found in the body of letters from Aziru, and his son, DU-Teššup. Four letters, EA 158, 164, 167, and 169, are addressed to the Pharaoh, by way of Tutu...
- Amarna lettersAmarna lettersThe Amarna letters are an archive of correspondence on clay tablets, mostly diplomatic, between the Egyptian administration and its representatives in Canaan and Amurru during the New Kingdom...
- Amarna letters–localities and their rulersAmarna letters–localities and their rulersThis is a list of the "Amarna letters" –Text corpus, categorized by: Amarna letters–localities and their rulers. It includes countries, regions, and the cities/or 'city-states' ...
- SuteanSuteanThe Suteans were a tribe who lived throughout the Levant and Canaan circa 1350 BC. They are mentioned in eight of the 382 Amarna letters. Like the Habiru, they traditionally worked as mercenaries....
s - NuhaššeNuhaššeNuhašše, also Nuhašša, was a territory in the Syrian region mentioned in various Middle Eastern documents as between Mari on the Euphrates and Hammath. The 1350 BC Amarna letters correspondence refers to Nuhašše in 11 tablet-letters written in Akkadian cuneiform.The region was generally south of...