| Succession: | King of Mitanni |
| Reign: | 1345+ BC |
| Predecessor: | Tushratta (assassinated) |
| Successor: | Shattiwaza |
| Father: | Artatama II (pretender) |
Shuttarna III was an usurper to the throne of Mitanni who reigned for a short period in the late 14th century BC.
He was the son of Artatama II, a usurper to the throne of Tushratta.[1]
I 1345 BC, the Conquest of Carchemish by Suppiluliuma I led to the Assassination of Tushratta of Mitanni marking the end of the Mitanni Empire. In a civil war of succession, Shuttarna III usurped the throne, while the Shattiwaza fled to Suppiluliuma I of Hatti in the west.
In the East, Shuttarna III sought the support of Ashur-uballit I of Assyria (r. 1353-1318 BC). However, he was defeated when a Hittite army marched towards the capital and installed Shattiwaza on the throne. The events are described in the Shattiwaza Treaty (CTH 51+52).[2]
In the south, Burnaburiash II of Karduniash (Babylon; 1359-1333 BC) remained neutral in the rivaly between Hatti and Assyria for the remains of Mitanni.