Tabal

Tabal was a Luwian speaking Neo-Hittite kingdom (and/or collection of kingdoms) of South Central Anatolia during the Iron Age. According to archaeologist Kurt Bittel, references to Tabal first appeared after the collapse of the Hittite Empire.[1] Tabal was likely an exonym applied by the Assyrians to Cappadocia.[2] While its native name is uncertain, it is possible that it was called Sura, as mentioned in the records of Yariri, ruler of Carchemish.[3]

Tabal Sura?
Unknown–713 BC
Tabal among the Neo-Hittite states
Common languages	Hieroglyphic Luwian
Religion	Luwian religion
Government	Monarchy
Historical era	Iron Age
• Established	Unknown
• Disestablished	713 BC
Preceded by Succeeded by Hittite empire Neo-Assyrian Empire
Today part of	Turkey

Originally, Tabal was likely the name of a region or collection of kingdoms. However, Tabal may have later consolidated into a single kingdom, perhaps annexing, or being annexed by, the neighboring kingdom of Melid.[4]

According to Lorenzo D'alfonso, the Tabalians may have, at least partially, descended form the Nairi tribe Tuali.[5]

The Assyrian king Shalmaneser III records that he received gifts from their 24 kings in 837 BC and the following year. A century later, their king Burutash is mentioned in an inscription of king Tiglath-Pileser III. The kings of Tabal have left a number of inscriptions from the 9th-8th centuries BC in hieroglyphic-Luwian in the Turkish villages of Çalapverdi and Alişar.

During the reign of Sargon II, Tabal entered in an alliance with the Mushki and Carchemish to counter Assyria.[6]

Toward the end of the 8th century BC, Tabal was at least partially conquered by Assyria.[7]

In 640 BC, inspired by the Cimmerians, the Tabalian king Mugallu rebelled against Ashurbanipal. However, Mugallu was defeated.[8]

Some have attempted to link Tabal to the tribe of the Tibareni (Tibarenoi in Greek, Thobeles in Josephus) who lived near the Black Sea.[9][10][11]The Tibareni are mentioned in the works of Hecataeus of Miletus, Herodotus, Xenophon, Strabo, and Apollonius of Rhodes, who stated they were Scythians.[12]

The known rulers of Tabal are:

• Tuwati I (Assyrian Tuatti), c. 837 BC[13]
• Kikki, son of Tuwati I, c. 837 BC[14]
• Tuwati II, mid 8th century BC[14]
• Wasusarma (Assyrian Wassurme), son of Tuwati II, c. 740 - 730 BC[14]
• Hulli, 730 - 726 BC[15]
• Ambaris, son of Hulli, c. 721 - 713 BC[15]
• Hidi c. 690 BC[16]
• Iškallu c. 679 BC[17]
• Mugallu/Mukalli c. 670,[16] 663, 651 BC[18]
• x-ussi, son of Mugallu[18] (ca. 650[19]/640[18] BC)