Episode C4 – The Great Kings

Synopsis: The Great King Tudhaliya’s sons, Arnuwanda and Suppiluliuma, take power in a time of growing famine.  The collapse of Mycenaean Greece intensifies the predations of Aegean and Mediterranean pirates, who threaten Hittite grain shipments and ally with the Libyans to launch an invasion of Egypt.  Among the earliest victims of the seaborne invaders is the storied city of Troy.



“But when the whole host reached the walls of Troy, into the city of Priam, breathing rage of fight, with reckless battle-lust they poured; and all that fortress found they full of war and slaughter, palaces, temples, horribly blazing on all sides; glowed their hearts with joy. In deadly mood then charged they on the foe. Ares and fell Enyo maddened there: blood ran in torrents, drenched was all the earth, as Trojans and their alien helpers died.”  – Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy, Book 13 (translated by A. S. Way)



Map of the Late Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean:



https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Map.jpg



The Hittite Royal Family:



https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/LBA_Hittite_Family_Tree.jpg

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