KAŠKA (GAŠKA) AND HİTTİTE STRUGGLE AROUND SAMSUN REGION / SAMSUN BÖLGESİ’NDE KAŠKA (GAŠKA) HİTİT MÜCADELESİ

Abstract Hittites, who built a strong state in the first half of II Millenium BC, started to expand together with its establishment. It occupied small kingdoms in the Central Anatolia, one by one. But, as soon as it headed to the Northern Anatolian Region, Kaškas displayed a harsh resistance. Thus, fierce battles started between the Hittites and the Kaškas. Kaškas' occupation of the cult city Nerik (Oymaağaç/Vezirköprü) during the King Hantili's era, caused a great grief among the Hittites. Because, Nerik had a very special place in the spiritual world of the Hittites. The Hittites struggled with the Kaška, from the Old Kingdom period to their downfall. Fierce battles ensued, especially during the Hittite king Muršili II's reign. But he couldn't reclaim Nerik from the Kaškas. The Hittite gained many flocks of sheep and cattle during these battles, and enslaved many Kaškans. But it could not establish a decisive superiority over the Kaškas. In fact, the united Kaška tribes even sacked the capital Hattuša. Finally, King Hattušili III, secured a certain superiority on the Kaška. He reclaimed Nerik, retook Samsun region under his rule and expanded his borders upto the coast. Keywords: Hittites, Kaškas, Nerik/ Oymaağaç, Samsun Region, Struggle