Hattusili's Civil War

Hattusili's Civil War was a struggle between the Hittite king Muršili III and his uncle Ḫattušili III that occurred around 1267 BC. This struggle erupted into a civil war, which Ḫattušili went on to win. Muršili was exiled, but continued to claim the throne from abroad.

Background
In the years before the civil war, the Hittite Empire had gained enormous power and prosperity under the kingship of Muwatalli II (1295–1272 BC). In particular, Muwatalli is notable for successfully opposing the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II at the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BC. Possibly for strategic reasons, Muwatalli relocated the Hittite capital from its traditional seat in the northern city of Ḫattuša to the southern city of Tarḫuntašša. In doing so, he left the northern region in the hands of his younger brother Ḫattušili, later known as Ḫattušili III.

Ḫattušili thrived in his role as ruler of the north. A skilled administrator and politician, he successfully displaced rivals including another member of the royal family named Arma-Tarhunda. He was also a successful military commander, both in his personal campaigns in the north as well as when supporting his brother's campaigns in Syria. As a result, he was granted significant autonomy to rule the north as a LUGAL ("king"), while Muwatalli served as LUGAL.GAL ("great king") in the south. This situation remained stable as throughout Muwatalli's reign.

After Muwatalli II died in 1272 BC, the throne passed to his son Muršili III, who is also often known by his Hurrian name Urḫi-Teššub. Muršili's ascent to the throne appears to have been smooth, and was initially supported by his uncle Ḫattušili, who continued to rule in the north. However, Muršili soon decided to move the capital city back north to Ḫattuša. In doing so, he stripped Ḫattušili of his status and requisitioned his fiefdoms at Ḫakpiš and Nerik. Scholars believe that these actions were the catalyst for Ḫattušili's subsequent rebellion.

War
The Civil War erupted sometime around 1267 BC (short chronology). It was brief and bitter. During this war, Muršili's own brother, Kurunta supported Ḫattušili's war effort. It ended with Muršili captured.

Aftermath
After the war, Ḫattušili took the throne and Muršili was sent into exile. Ḫattušili initially feared that he would be viewed as an illegitimate usurper and took careful measures to consolidate his position. Domestically, he offered justifications to his subjects and promised lenience towards Muršili's former supporters. In later royal propaganda, Ḫattušili tried to downplay his actions as not having been a revolt but rather divine judgement by Ishtar. Internationally he sought recognition, especially from the club of great powers and eventually managed to gain this via signing the Egyptian–Hittite peace treaty. Remarkably, the Hittite copy of this treaty included provisions that would require the Egyptians to intervene on behalf of Ḫattušili if he were ever dethroned.

Muršili's ultimate fate is unknown. He was initially granted the fiefdom of Nuhašše in Syria, from which he attempted to maintain his claim to the Hittite throne. After Ḫattušili discovered these attempts, Muršili fled to Egypt. Ḫattušili requested his extradition, prompting an exchange of harshly worded letters with Ramesses II, who denied all knowledge of Muršili's wherabouts. Although the evidence is sparse and its interpretation highly uncertain, a later rule of Tarḫuntašša named Hartapu may have been Muršili's son.

Muršili's brother Kurunta would eventually go on to claim the throne by force in a similar manner to Ḫattušili did, around 1228 BC, then from Ḫattušili's own direct descendant.