Sring Issa
History
The northern areas of Snefaldia have always drawn inhabitants, and in ancient times the area was a nearly unspoiled mixture of magnificent forests, rolling hills, and high mountains. Population centers grew where resources were plentiful; hunter-gatherer settlements have been discovered in the far north. Permanent settlements were established once the population grew more sedentary.
Most of the modern cities in Snefaldia have been inhabited for thousands of years, but the oldest continuously inhabited city in that of Isaardlang. Originally established as a hill-fort by Luwitic-speaking migrants from the north, the earliest foundations of which trace to 230 BCE. According to legend, a warrior named Teushpa descended from the mountains with his tribe and drove out the wild forest-people, constructing a village out of wood and stone. The area is referred to in texts as "Sarangissa," a Luwitic compound meaning "Pune Realm" Teushpa’s dynasty apparently ruled until a catastrophic attack by an unknown enemy, sometime around 150bce. Archæological evidence suggests an earthquake and raiding contributed to the downfall of the fort-town.
The historical record picks up with the arrival of another northerner, one Madduwatta, who brought his people "down from the hill" and "built Teushpa's city again." Madduwatta apparently declared himself King of Sarangissa and forced the villages and settlements in the area to pay tribute, establishing a hegemonic state. His dynasty is referred to in inscriptions, and his descendants- including the famous 'Muwatalli the Golden'- figure into the epic poem of the Nâlatâmma. By this time the city itself was referred to as Isa-Adala, the Citadel-Town, and the area surrounding it was called Sarangissa.
According to records that confirm the basic veracity of the myth, King Arnuwanda was killed by Tawsina, the leader of the Umman-Manda, who sacked the city. Tudhaliya, king of the city of Sanna, came to the aid of the Sarangissans, killed Tawsina, and saved the young Prince Shuttarna, who rebuilt the city.
According to the poem, Shuttarna was called on by the late Tudhaliya's sons to aid them to recapture Sanna from the Umman-Manda, who had conquered it to revenge the defeat and death of Tawsina. Shuttarna's son, the famous Muwatalli, led warriors from Isa-Adala into battle alongside warriors hailing from Serasarda, Washukanni, and Tarhuntassa. Muwatalli distinguished himself in combat by personally slaying the Dugdamme, the leader of the interlopers, and driving them from Sanna.
The development of western Sring Issa continued unbroken by outside interference, with the Luwitic peoples confining their ire to each other. Isa-Adala was sacked several times.
