The '''Mitanni''' (also, more correctly, '''Mittani''') werewas athe peoplename of [[Indo-Aryan]] origin who ruled a vast kingdom (with a commonthe [[Hurrians|Hurrian]] population) in West [[Asia]] in the [[2nd millennium BC|second millennium BC]]., Mitanni arose near the sources ofaround the [[Khabur River]] in upper [[Mesopotamia]], sometimeand, aftermost notably, to a ruling dynasty of [[1500sIndo-Aryan]] origin who dominated that population during the [[15th century BC|150015th]] and [[14th century BC|14th]]. centuries BC. ItTheirs was a [[feudal state]] led by a warrior nobility. The kingdom [[Hanilgalbat]] ruled northern [[Mesopotamia]] (including [[Syria]]) for about 300 years, outwith of theirthe capitals [[Washshukanni]] (or Wassukkani, or Vasukhani, meaning "a mine of wealth") and [[Taite]]. Their warriors were called ''marya'', which is the term for warriour in [[Sanskrit]] as well.
By approximately [[1350s BC|1350 BC]], the Mitanni kingdom had weakened, and had become practically dependent on the [[Hittites]], then under the rule of [[Shuppiluliuma I]]. [[Assyria]], previously under Mitanni control, was able to assert its independence during the reign of [[Ashuruballit I]] in approximately [[1330s BC|1330 BC]].
