Mitanni

Mitanni was a state in Mesopotamia (Middle East) that lasted from c. 1550 to 1260 BCE, about 290 years. Its people spoke Isolates and ancient languages (Sumerian, Elamite, Hurrian, Urartian, Hattic, Kassite, Etruscan, Basque, Ainu).

Hurrian kingdom of northern Mesopotamia whose kings bore Indo-Aryan names and swore by Vedic gods. It rivalled Egypt, then was broken by the Hittites and absorbed by Assyria by about 1260 BCE.

See Mitanni on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 1550 to 1260 BCE
Duration: 290 years
Type: State
Region: Mesopotamia, Middle East
Language family: Isolates and ancient
Capital: Washukanni

Events in Middle East during its time

1274 BCE Battle of Kadesh

Neighbours in Middle East

Hittite Empire (New Kingdom) c. 1400 to 1180 BCE
Old Elamite period c. 2700 to 1500 BCE
Middle Assyrian Empire 1365 to 912 BCE
Kassite Babylonia c. 1595 to 1155 BCE
Middle Elamite period c. 1500 to 1100 BCE
Yamhad c. 1810 to 1517 BCE
Hittite Old Kingdom c. 1650 to 1400 BCE
Dilmun c. 2800 to 544 BCE
Troy c. 3000 to 1180 BCE
Byblos c. 2800 to 1200 BCE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Minoan civilization c. 3100 to 1450 BCE, Europe
Shang dynasty c. 1600 to 1046 BCE, East Asia
New Kingdom of Egypt c. 1550 to 1069 BCE, North and West Africa

Questions

When did Mitanni exist?

c. 1550 to 1260 BCE, about 290 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Mitanni?

Mesopotamia, in Middle East. Its capital was Washukanni.

What language did Mitanni speak?

Isolates and ancient. This family includes Sumerian, Elamite, Hurrian, Urartian, Hattic, Kassite, Etruscan, Basque, Ainu.