Editing Vassal state (section)

===Hittite Empire===
[[File:Empire_of_the_Hitties.png|thumb|Map of the Hittite core territory and its vassal states around 1300 BC]]
{{main|Hittites}}
The Hittite Empire incorporated vassal states that extended over much of [[Anatolia]] and Northern Syria. The addition of vassal states reached its peak under the reigns of [[Šuppiluliuma I]] and [[Muršili II]] in the 14th century BC.<ref name="Bryce 2005">{{cite book |last1=Bryce |first1=Trevor |title=Kingdom of the Hittites |date=2005 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780199279081 |page=49{{ndash}}50 |chapter=Territories and Early Rivals of the Hatti}}</ref> The relationships between the Hittites and their vassal states centered around the Hittite king and the vassal ruler; the terms of their relationship were imposed unilaterally by the former, and accepted by the latter. Whenever a new Hittite king or vassal ruler came into power, a new treaty would be drawn up.<ref name="Bryce 2005" />

In rare cases, local rulers were given ''kiurwana'' (protectorate status).<ref name="Bryce 2005"/> While they had distinct privileges{{snd}} such as exemption from tribute{{snd}} they did not have any more freedom of activity than other vassal states. All relations among the regions under Hittite control were strictly determined by the king.<ref name="Bryce 2005" /> While this led to the belief that contact between vassal states was limited, it has also been thought that such restrictions were limited to the enemies of the Hatti.<ref name="Devecchi 2012">{{cite book |last1=Devecchi |first1=Elena |title=Policies of exchange political systems and modes of interaction in the Aegean and Near East in the 2nd Millennium BCE: Proceedings of the International Symposium at the University of Freiburg Institute for Archaeological Studies |date=2012 |publisher=Austrian Academy of Sciences Press |pages=117–120 |chapter=The International Relations of Hatti’s Syrian Vassals, or How to make the Best of Things.}}</ref>

The treaties imposed on vassal states came with military obligations, though vassals were also promised military assistance in return. Some treaties also contained details of annual tribute. Treaties were often concluded with a marriage between a vassal ruler and a Hatti princess of the royal family. The princess would hold greater power than other wives of the vassal, and succession would pass down her descendants.<ref name="Bryce 2005" />

Vassal states were obliged to support and swear fealty to the king's legitimate successors as well. In the event of a usurper taking the throne, the vassal state was freed from all treaty obligations except to help restore a legitimate king to the throne. In doing so, vassal rulers were guaranteed sovereignty from themselves and their successors in their region.<ref name="Bryce 2005" />

====Ugarit====
The relations of [[Ugarit]] are the most well-known of the Hittite's vassal states. Sources on Ugarit's role and relationship with the Hittites mostly comes from the Ugarit Archives, with only a few from Hittite sources.<ref name="Devecchi 2012" /> From the sources, it is believed that Ugarit held economic and commercial importance to the Hittite Empire, as many letters and documents relate to trade.<ref name="Devecchi 2012" /> Ugarit also maintained a relationship with Egypt, due to contacts with the Pharaoh's court. Most evidence of this contact comes from the era of the Pax Hethitica, which came after peace between Egypt and the Hittite Empire.<ref name="Devecchi 2012" />

====Amurru====
Amurru's relationship to the Hittite Empire is attested to in documents recovered from Ugarit and [[Hattusa]].<ref name="Devecchi 2012"/> Unlike Ugarit, Amurru does not appear to have been a trading centre. Rather, Hitttite sources place importance on the political and military role this kingdom played in the empire, as it was located on the border of Hatti territory and Egypt.<ref name="Devecchi 2012"/> Previously a vassal state of Egypt, the Kingdom defected to the Hittites under the ruler [[Aziru]]. Amurru was loyal to the Hittite Empire from the end of the [[Amarna Period]] until the reign of [[Muwatalli II]], when they switched allegiances back to Egypt.<ref name="Devecchi 2012"/> The defection was punished with a temporary replacement of the king with a more loyal ruler.<ref name="Devecchi 2012"/> Two marriages occurred between Hittites and Amurru royalty at this time, raising Amurru's importance within the empire.<ref name="Devecchi 2012"/> Amurru's relationship with the Hittite Empire was maintained until the collapse of the latter in the 12th century BC.<ref name="Rowe 2013">{{cite book |last1=Rowe |first1=Ignacio |title=The Encyclopedia of Ancient History |date=2013 |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |chapter=Amurru}}</ref> A shift from Semitic names used by descendants of Aziru suggest a lasting impact of Hittite influence in the region.<ref name="Rowe 2013" />

====Carchemish====
While [[Carchemish]] was a leading power in Syria and delegate for Syrian affairs, not much is known about their interactions with the Great Powers of the region. What is known comes from archives at Hattusa, [[Emar]], and Ugarit.<ref name="Mora 2013" /> When the city was conquered by Suppiluliuma I, he installed his son on the throne<ref name="Mora 2013" /> Due to this, the later kings of Carchemish acted as representatives for the Hittite Empire in Syria.<ref name="Mora 2013" /> In the 13th century, Carchemish was trading directly with [[Assyria]], and had relations with [[Babylonia]] as well.<ref name="Devecchi 2012"/> Carchemish also survived the end of the Hittite Empire, and became its own city-state in the [[Iron Age|Early Iron Age]].<ref name="Mora 2013">{{cite book |last1=Mora |first1=Clelia |title=The Encyclopedia of Ancient History |date=2013 |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |chapter=Carchemish}}</ref> In the 8th century BC, it was annexed by the Assyrian Empire.<ref name="Mora 2013" />