Tarḫuntaradu

Tarḫuntaradu (Luwian: "worshiper of Tarḫunt"^[1]) was king of Arzawa during the first half of the 14th century BC.

Under his rule, the Luwian kingdom of Arzawa centered on Apasa (Ephesus) managed to penetrate far into the territory of the Hittite Empire ruled by Tudhaliya III (c. 1380 BC), then weakened by invasions of the Kaška peoples. Tarhantaradu occupied areas in the "Lower Land" (Lycaonia), and succeeded in penetrating as far as the Hittite city of Tuwanuwa.

Ultimately, the Hittites would defeat Arzawa under Suppiluliuma I (c. 1350 BC). By the end of the reign of Suppiluliuma I, Uhha-Ziti ruled Arzawa (c. 1320 BC). He rebelled and Arzawa was divided into lesser vassal states under Mursili II.

He negotiated with, and wed one of his daughters to, the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III, who acknowledged him as "Great King" - a title usually given to the Hittite ruler.

Susanne Heinhold-Krahmer: Tarḫundaradu, Tarḫun(n)aradu. In: Michael P. Streck (ed.): Reallexikon der Assyriologie und Vorderasiatischen Archäologie ["Real lexicon of Assyriology and Near Eastern Archeology"]. Vol. 13, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin/Boston 2011-2013, ISBN 978-3-11-030715-3, pp. 459-460.