Abstract:

Being located at a connection point between Iran, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Aegean, Cyprus, Eastern Mediterranian and Anatolia worlds, Cilicia had a strategical importance. Because of the natural harboring facilities, richness in forestry and rich mineral sources of the region, it had always been an attraction centre for the neighbouring states. In this regard, during the struggles of the New Assyrian State with the Urartians and Phrygs, Cilicia’s becoming a battle field, brought many problems. One of the occasions that reflected this feature of Cilicia as described were doubtlessly the rebellions during the Sennacherib Period. The rebellions arisen by the local kings Azitawadda and Kirua against the Assyrian Rule, had shown the strategical importance and socio-economical value of Cilicia for the Assyrian State once more. The rebellions, having brought out the political structure and the effect of the local powers in this political organisation clearly, had been also determinative for the Assyrian politics on Anatolia. On the other hand, two more rebellions, which seems to be consecutive are also very important to show the efficiency of the local powers and that a local rule was objected in Cilicia. Because the philological researches and analyses in the region, had brought out important results about the political relations between the local powers and bigger ones. The objective of this article is to bring out strategical, military and economical importance of the rebellions fort he Assyrians under the light of the Assyrian resources from the Sargonids’ Period and local hieroglyp inscriptions. Thus the attention will be drawn on the political conditions of Cilicia and the efficiency of the local powers during the centuries VIII.-VII. B.C. by the assesments on the causes and reslts of the rebellions

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