The Hittite empire suffers serious losses of territory during Tudhaliya's reign, with even the capital itself being burnt down.

But, under the able guidance of Tudhaliya's son, the future Suppiluliuma I, the Hittites begin to make a recovery while Tudhaliya still sits on the throne.

The proper numbering of the Hittite rulers who bore the name Tudhaliya is problematic.

There was a Hattian era figure who bore the name Tudhaliya who may or may not have ruled as king.

Other reconstructions insert a Tudhaliya directly after Muwattalli I, but before the more famous ruler frequently credited with founding the Empire.

The Tudhaliya discussed here will be generally found as either "the second" or "the third".

Tudhaliya III is never explicitly known to have been king at all.

The Hittite texts refer to him as "Tudhaliya the child" (or, as an alternate translation, "Tudhaliya the Young(er)".

He is killed by a group of officers that included his successor, and quite probably brother, Suppiluliuma I.