He was the son of
Artatama II, a usurper to the throne of
Tushratta.
Conquest of Carchemish In 1345 BC, the conquest of
Carchemish by
Suppiluliuma I led to the assassination of
Tushratta of
Mitanni, marking the end of the Mitanni Empire. In a civil war of succession, Shuttarna III usurped the throne, while
Shattiwaza fled to Suppiluliuma I of the
Hittites in the west.
War of Succession In the East, Shuttarna III sought the support of
Ashur-uballit I of
Assyria (r. 1353-1318 BC). However, he was defeated when a Hittite army marched towards the capital and installed Shattiwaza on the throne. The events are described in the Shattiwaza Treaty (CTH 51+52). In the south,
Burnaburiash II of
Karduniash (Babylon; 1359-1333 BC) remained neutral in the rivalry between Hatti and Assyria for the remains of Mitanni. ==See also==