NEW PROBLEMS IN THE WEST
Muwattalli had also to deal with unwelcome new developments
in the west. One of these was the emergence of an insurrectionist
called Piyamaradu–possibly a former Hittite subject of high status
and maybe even related to the royal family. After apparently losing
favour with his royal master, Piyamaradu had set about building a
power-base for himself in western Anatolia. He may have gained
temporary control over at least two Hittite subject-states in the
region, Wilusa and Seha River Land, before an expeditionary force
sent by Muwattalli drove him out of the occupied territories and
restored them to Hittite rule. Some time later, Muwattalli drew up a
treaty with the king of Wilusa which was designed to strengthen the
Hittites’hold over their western territories. This still surviving
treaty is commonly known as the Alaksandu treaty, after the vassal
king who ruled it at the time.^4
But Piyamaradu remained on the loose, and would continue
to threaten Hittite interests in the west for many years to come.
What made him all the more dangerous was that he operated in
cahoots with the current king of Ahhiyawa. This king (name
unknown) continued to advance Ahhiyawan interests in at least
the western fringe territories of Anatolia, and indeed appears to
have achieved a major success in his endeavours. In all probability,
the land and city of Milawata (Classical Miletos) which had
already tried unsuccessfully to ally itself with Ahhiyawa early in
Mursili’s reign, now became subject-territory of the Ahhiyawan
king. We have no textual record of a Mycenaean/Ahhiyawan
takeover of the city and surrounding region, but we do have
material evidence of a substantial Mycenaean presence there at
this time, including Mycenaean architecture, burials and common
domestic artefacts.
THE BATTLES OFQADESH
A first clash between Hittite and Egyptian forces took place
probably not far from Qadesh during Seti I’s reign. On his war
monument in the temple of Karnak in Egypt, Seti claimed a great
162 WARRIORS OF ANATOLIA