The Egyptians, however, did not give serious attention to their Asian
Empire until the reigns of Seti I (1318-1299 B.C.) and Rameses II
(1299-1232 B.C.). During the half century following the fall of Mitanni
the Hittites met no serious opposition in their desire to control the
whole of northern Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean coastal region of
Syria. Not only was a daughter of Suppiluliumas married to the ruler of
the vassal kingdom of Mitanni, but a son, Telepinus, was installed as
ruler of Aleppo in Syria. The Amorites who had been vassals to Egypt
were glad to welcome Hittite aid in establishing their independence.
North Syria, or Amurru, became a hotbed of anti-Egyptian feeling, and
Amorite princes served as unconscious pawns of Suppiluliumas in
weakening Egyptian control in the area and preparing the way for Hittite
domination.
Most of the Amarna letters were written by princes of city states in
Syria, Phoenicia, and Canaan who acknowledged sovereignty but expressed
the fear that rival princes or alien peoples might gain the upper hand.
Some of the letters represent factional disputes among leaders both of
whom protest their loyalty to Egypt. Among the rulers in Syria and
Palestine we find letters from Akizzi of Qatna, Abdi-Ashirta and his son
Aziru of Amurru (i.e., the Amorites), Rib-Addi of Byblos, Ammunira of
Beirut, Zimrida of Sidon, Abimilki of Tyre, and Abdi-Khepa of Jerusalem.
Other letters were sent from Hazor, Akko, Megiddo, Gezer, Ashelon, and
Lachish. In some instances minor Egyptian officials wrote the letters.