HAMATH
/ HAMAH
Hamath was the northernmost city in the mountainous region of the
Levant, in the border territory between that and ancient Syria,
and was the fortress that protected the rest of the Levant from
northern invaders. Located on the River Orontes, it still exists
as the city of Hama in modern western Syria, to the north of Damascus.
The ancient city was probably one of many which arose in the region
at the start of the second millennium BC. It very quickly became
heavily influenced by Hittite culture, and remained under their
influence for the first 800 years or so of its existence. During
the dark age from 1200 BC it was settled by Aramaeans who founded
a state. The first two rulers were apparently allied to King David
of Israel, and the two kingdoms maintained friendly relations for
hundreds of years afterwards.
18th
cent BC :
The
city becomes heavily influenced by the Hittites.
c.1340s?
BC :
According
to a text which has been dated to the time of Addu-Nirari, ruler
of Qatna, in this period the city's territory reaches the Lebanon
Mountains to the south-west. Southwards it is probably bounded by
another natural frontier, the forest of Lebo which is mentioned
in several Late Bronze Age texts. The mouth of the Beqa Valley,
south of Qadesh, is sparsely populated even today, and it is plausible
that the valley in the second millennium BC area is either largely
uninhabited or is occupied by no more than nomads. To the north,
the kingdom reaches at least al-Rastan, with the possibility that
even Hama is included in its domains if the Amata of a text found
in the Lower City Palace can be equated with the Iron Age Hamath.
c.1200
- 1000 BC :
Following
the political collapse of this period which sees the end of the
Hittites, the region is heavily settled by Aramaeans, and Hamath
is no exception. Initially the southernmost of the neo-Hittite states,
the city becomes the centre of a small Aramaean kingdom. At first
it may also control the newly created city of Bit Adini.
fl
c.1010 - 990 BC :
To'u
c.1005
BC :
One
of the city's allies in this period is Israel under King David,
and this friendship remains in place for centuries.
fl
c. 990 - 960 BC :
Joram
/ Hadoram
c.900
BC :
Bit
Adini may achieve independence at this time, if indeed it had at
all previously been controlled by Hamath.
fl
860s BC
Zakir
/ Zakkur I
c.850s
BC :
The
political situation of the land of Lukhuti, on Hamath's northern
border, is not clear. By the reign of Shalmaneser III (859-824 BC)
it probably forms the northern province of Hamath, and perhaps does
so as early as 870 BC, before which it is in the possession of Pattin.
![](Hamath_Zakar_Tablet01_full.jpg)
An
inscription of Zakir, king of Hamath in the ninth century BC
fl 850s - c.847 BC :
Irkhuleni
/ Irhuleni (Urhilina) : Member of the Samarian alliance.
(Son of Paritas.)
853 BC :
Irhuleni is a member of an alliance of states which also includes
Ammon, Arvad, Byblos, Damas, Edom, Egypt, Kedar, and Samaria. Together
they fight Shalmaneser III of Assyria at the Battle of Qarqar which
consists of the largest known number of combatants in a single battle
to date, and is the first historical mention of the Arabs from the
southern deserts. Despite claims to the contrary, the Assyrians
are defeated, since they do not press on to their nearest target,
Hamath, and do not resume their attacks on Hamath and Damas for
about six years.
c.847
BC :
The city is conquered by Assyria and local governors or vassal kings
are placed in control of the state. Uratamis is only attested by
inscriptions on five stones which form part of a fortress in Hamath,
perhaps the citadel itself.
c.847
- ? BC :
Uratamis
: Son. Otherwise unattested. Vassal?
fl
830 BC :
Zakir
/ Zakkur II : Vassal king?
Ben-Hadad
III of Damas leads a coalition of states against Zakir, and Luash
to the north of Damas, but is defeated by the latter.
fl
765 BC :
Zakir / Zakkur III : Vassal king?
fl 740s - 730s BC :
Enil-Ilu
/ Eniel : Became an Assyrian vassal king, or 'governor'.
c.740? - 737 BC :
The region faces a rebellion of some magnitude. Hamath, nearby Sam'al,
and many others, are attacked by Yadiya under Azriyau of Yaudi,
possibly with support from Urartu. Azriyau's coalition is defeated
by Tiglath-Pileser III. In 738 BC, Hamath becomes a confirmed vassal
of Assyria at the same time as the territories to the north, Lukhuti
and Pattin, fall.
?
- 720 BC :
Yahu-Bihdi
: Assyrian governor. Israelite or Israelite-inspired name.
720
BC :
With the change of dynasty in Assyria, Yahu-Bindi takes the opportunity
to declare himself king of Hamath and lead a rebellion.
720
- 719 BC :
Yahu-Bihdi
: King of Hamath.
719
BC :
The
rebellion is quickly suppressed, and large numbers of the city's
population are deported to Samaria, which has recently been conquered
by Assyria, where they become part of the later Samaritan people.
The city itself is destroyed and Hamath is now a province of Assyria.
554/553
BC :
Occupied
Hamath is the target of an attack by Nabonidus of Babylonia.
539
- 332 BC :
The
city falls under the control of the Persian empire.
332
BC :
The
city becomes part of the Greek empire, and Hamath is later officially
renamed Epiphania, probably in honour of Seleucid king Antiochus
Epiphanes. The inhabitants take no notice and continue to use the
old name.
Source
:
https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/
KingListsMiddEast/SyriaHamath.htm