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              The Columbia Encyclopedia: Sixth Edition.  2000.

                                  Mitanni

 (m[Image]t[Image]nŽ[Image]) (KEY), ancient kingdom established in the 2d
 millennium B.C. in NW Mesopotamia. It was founded by Aryans but was later
 made up predominantly of Hurrians. Washshukanni was its capital. Mitanni
 controlled Assyria for a period and was engaged in military efforts to
 hold back Egyptian forces intent on conquering Syria. In c.1450 B.C. the
 army of Thutmose III of Egypt successfully advanced as far as the
 Euphrates; the king of Mitanni surrendered, sending tribute to Egypt,
 which halted its invasion. Friendly relations later developed between the
 two powers as evidenced by correspondence between King Tushratta of
 Mitanni and Amenhotep III of Egypt. In the 14th cent. B.C., Mitanni became
 involved in struggles with the Hittites and c.1335 fell to the Hittites as
 well as to resurgent Assyrian forces.

    The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2000 Columbia
                             University Press.