Warpalawas II

[13] A Lydian cognate of the name Warpallawas is attested in the form Ourpalos (Ουρπαλος) or Ourpalas (Ουρπαλας) recorded in Phrygia.

[7][1][28][29] The kingdom of Tuwana was powerful enough to have included a sub-kingdom,[30][26] located at the site corresponding to present-day Porsuk,[31] and ruled by a king named Tarḫunazzas who identified himself as a "servant" of Warpalawas II.

Its rebellious vassal king Ambaris was deported to Assyria in 713 BC, after which Sargon II appointed one Aššur-šarru-uṣur as governor of Que based in Ḫiyawa.

[7][31][38] Following the appointment of Aššur-šarru-uṣur, Warpalawas II of Tuwana and Awarikus of Ḫiyawa became largely symbolic rulers although they might have still held the power to manage their kingdoms locally.

[7][27] The attack by Atuna and Ištuanda caused Aššur-šarru-uṣur to worry that Warpallawas II might end up renouncing Neo-Assyrian overlordship.

Nevertheless, Sargon II then informed him that Midas had made peace with Assyria, which would leave the Tabalian kings incapable of relying on Phrygian power against the Neo-Assyrian Empire.

[40][41] Warpalawas II seems to have continued his pro-Assyrian policy throughout his reign, thanks to which he was able to rule in Tuwana for a very long period until at least c. 709 BC, at which date he was mentioned in the letter of Aššur-šarru-uṣur.

[1][26] This suggests that Warpalawas was one of the last still independent kings of the Tabal region who was being increasingly pressured by Phrygia and Assyria[26] because of the location of his kingdom between these two powers.

Tuwana on the map of Luwian (Neo-Hittite) and Aramean states during the 8th century BCE
İvriz relief , depicting Warpalawas II (smaller, on the right) worshipping the Storm-god Tarḫunza (taller, on the left)
Narmer Palette
Narmer Palette
Pharaoh Ahmose I slaying a Hyksos
Pharaoh Ahmose I slaying a Hyksos
Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun
Taharqa
Taharqa
Seleukos I Nikator Tetradrachm from Babylon
Seleukos I Nikator Tetradrachm from Babylon
Coin of Ardashir I, Hamadan mint.
Coin of Ardashir I, Hamadan mint.