Aplahanda

Aplahanda was a king of Carchemish proposed to have reigned between 1786 and 1766 BCE,^[1] during the Middle Bronze IIA.

A seal dedicated to goddess Kubaba by Matrunna, daughter of Aplahanda, 18th century BCE.

Attestations

He was first known from a cylinder seal translated by Rene Dussaud in 1929. The seal was found at the base of the mound of Ugarit before excavations began.^[2][3]

At least 6 seals naming Aplahanda have been published. They are skilfully produced, and show mostly Babylonian influence, although some Syrian and Egyptian motifs are also present.^[3]

He is also found mentioned in the Mari tablets, reigning at the same time as Yasmah-Addu and Zimri-Lim, by whom he is addressed as a brother. His name was suggested to be Amorite by I. J. Gelb and the hypothesis of a Semitic origin was supported by Wilfred G. Lambert.^[4][3]

At Acemhöyük (Anatolia), the Sarıkaya Palace yielded two bullea mentions Aplahanda.^[5]

Reign

He was allied with Shamshi-Adad (1809/1808-1776/1775 BC) in a war against Sumu-Epuh of Aleppo (Yamhad) that was unsuccessful.^[1] He was contemporary with king Hammurabi of Babylon (1792-1750 BC).

Death

He is known to have died in 1766 based on a letter of Ishtaran-Nasir.^[3][1][6] Aplahanda was succeeded by his son, Yatar-Ami, who ruled for only two years.

His daughter called Matrunna is also known; she had a non-Semitic, possibly Hurrian name. His other son was Yahdul-Lim.