The Tell-el-Amarna letters . . . are largely concerned with the intrigues of provincial governors in Asia and their difficulties in meeting the attacks of the Hittites. . . . When the letters begin they are still settled in the north of Syria, and gradually extend southwards towards the end of the period. . . . In the later letters, of the time of Amenophis IV, it is evident that the strength of Egypt is declining. Whether owing to troubles caused by that king's heresy, or for any other reason, troops were not sent when required to keep the unruly Syrian states in order. Partly in consequence of the disorganization of the country, the Hittite power began to grow as that of Egypt waned. The king of the Hatti . . . became the great king of a Hittite confederacy, with his capital at Boghaz-keui in the north, uniting the minor states represented by Hamath, Aleppo, Marash, Carchemish, Malatia., &c., and probably with more or less control over the rest of Asia Minor. It was a very formidable combination, with the best of reasons for holding together, since they were all threatened by Egypt on the one side and Babylonia on the other.
— ARTHUR ERNEST COWLEY