ARZAWA, ASSUWA, AND MIRA: THREE NAMES FOR ONE AND THE SAME COUNTRY IN WESTERN ANATOLIA
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 03/04/2021

In the present paper the evidence concerning the geographic names Arzawa, Assuwa, and Mira from Hittite, Luwian hieroglyphic, Egyptian and Mycenaean sources will be reviewed in order to determine whether these are three distinct countries or multiple references  to  one  and  the  same  realm  in  western  Anatolia.  Starting  point  will  be  that  in  the  Hittite,  Luwian  hieroglyphic,  and  Egyptian hieroglyphic sources there can be found evidence that Arzawa, Assuwa, and Mira, each at its own period, reached the preeminent  status  of  a  great  kingdom.  In  principle,  there  is  room  in  western  Anatolia  only  for  one  great  kingdom,  by  and  large  corresponding to Lydia of the Archaic period. In addition it will be investigated how the Homeric data on western Anatolia fit in with the Late Bronze Age evidence on the topic. In doing so, it appears that Homer is ignorant of the country names Arzawa, Mira, Seha and Masa, but uses Maionia and Mysia instead.


Author(s): Wouduizen, Fred (Dutch Archaeological and Historical Society)