Hayasa-Azzi

### GDP

• Total: 3.6 million Egyptian shematy (71 AEE)• Per capita: 16.11 Egyptian shematy (71 AEE)

The Chiefdom of Hayasa-Azzi was a puppet of the Kingdom of Hatti, located to the east of it, though the eastern border of Hayasa-Azzi was rather fluid, as it did not border any countries there. The region had been first subjugated by the Hittites over a century ago, however, it broke free during the Second Hittite-Egyptian War in 20 AEE, and only began to be retaken in 43 AEE. In 46 AEE the Hittite campaign was over and the territories once again became part of the puppet state known as Hayasa-Azzi, though rebellions continued up to 48 AEE.

The country was divided between Hayasa in the north, inhabited by Mushkians, and the slightly larger Azzi in the south, inhabited by Urartians. Both regions were ruled by their chief, the last ones being Argishti for Hayasa and Hukkana for Azzi, having ruled from Kumaha and Tushpa respectively. Both chiefs had equal power, and they often came into conflict, which was intentionally done by the Hittites, in order to both please both parts of the population and also make sure the Hayasans and Azzians were fighting each other and not trying to break free again. However, both chiefs begrudgingly agreed to unite their forces once the state was invaded by Assyria during the Great Powers' War.

The population was split between Urartians and Mushkians, with some Hurrians living in the south as well. Most of the people followed the Urartian religion, which is a mixture of the Hittite and Mesopotamian religions, with some local elements added in. Other than the two capital cities, the population was entirely rural, with an urbanization level of only 4.5%, the lowest in any country. The population was also almost entirely illiterate, with Hittite education programs having little success in the mountainous and tribal region.

Hayasa-Azzi was quite isolated and self-sustaining, though it did provide horses and some minerals to Hatti, in exchange having received some Hittite luxury goods, but for the most part, the chiefdom was left to its own devices. It had in 71 AEE a GDP per capita of only 16.11 Egyptian shematy, the lowest of any known country. Most in the country were farmers-warriors, having been often called to arms by their chiefs.

Despite being located next to the Black Sea, Hayasa-Azzi had no navy and no large ports. While the country had no standing army, the chiefs could raise their forces whenever there was a need. It was estimated that in total Hayasa-Azzi could raise up to 25 000 soldiers at the start of a war involving Assyria. Hayasa-Azzi was not considered to be particularly loyal to Hatti, but its main purpose was to be a buffer state in the east, and this function was usually fulfilled, with the region having a high degree of autonomy and so not having much reason to rebel again, and both chiefs valuing their lands enough to unite against a common foreign foe.

**Spoiler warning: this section contains spoilers for the novels The Rise of Kemet and the March of Deshret.**

In 73 AEE the chiefdom was invaded by Assyria during the Great Powers' War. The campaign lasted several months and the Assyrians suffered massive casualties, but they were ultimately victorious, sacking the capitals of both Hayasa and Azzi and killing most fighters, including the chief Hukkana. Chief Argishti managed to escape but was later killed while invading Hatti with his warband in 75 AEE during the Hittite Civil War. After the conquest of the region, the Assyrians did not manage to hold onto it and it devolved into anarchy. It remained that way until 75 AEE, when Azzi was invaded by the Lullubi and by 77 AEE fully annexed to their kingdom, while Hayasa began to be reconquered by Hatti in 78 AEE and then integrated into the kingdom.