The Hittites were an Indo-European race from southern Russia who successfully settled in what we now know as Turkey around 2000BC.
They established a powerful empire that dominated much of the Near East, including parts of modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. The Hittites were known for their military prowess and their sophisticated political, legal, and social systems.
They built towns in the valleys near the Taurus mountains and their civilization lasted about 1,000 years.
In terms of religion, the Hittites worshipped a pantheon of gods, similar to the gods of other ancient civilizations in the Near East. They had a hierarchical society, with a king at the top and a complex legal system that included a written code of laws.
Who were the most famous Hittite Kings?
There were many famous Hittite kings throughout the history of the Hittite Empire, but some of the most notable include:
- Hattusilis I: Also known as Hattusili, he was the founder of the Hittite Old Kingdom and is credited with establishing the Hittite capital at Hattusa.
- Suppiluliumas I: He was a powerful Hittite king who expanded the Hittite empire to its greatest extent, including parts of modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. He reigned in the 14th century and improved the Hittite capital city, Hattusas.
- Mursili II: He was a warrior king who conducted several successful military campaigns and is known for his conquest of the city of Babylon.
- Muwatalli II: He was a Hittite king who fought against the Egyptians in the Battle of Kadesh, one of the largest and most famous battles of the ancient world.
- Tudhaliya IV: He was a Hittite king who is known for his efforts to restore the Hittite empire after a period of decline and for his role in negotiating a peace treaty with the Assyrians.
These are some of the most famous Hittite kings, but there were many other rulers who made significant contributions to the Hittite civilization and its legacy.
The Hittites had a long and rich history, and their kings played an important role in shaping the course of the empire and its place in the ancient world.
What are the Hittites best known for?
The Hittites were also skilled metalworkers and engineers, and they made significant contributions to the fields of metallurgy and engineering.
They were known for their iron weapons, which were some of the strongest and most advanced of their time. They are claimed to be the first people to use iron.
Iron weapons were harder than bronze, and this made their armies stronger and harder to defeat. They also put iron to use by making their agricultural tools, making it easier for them to plough the fields and improve their produce.
What happened to the Hittites?
The Hittite civilization declined in the late 12th century BCE and was eventually absorbed by other civilizations, such as the Assyrians and the Phrygians.
However, their legacy lived on in the influence they had on later civilizations, such as the ancient Greeks, who inherited much of their knowledge of metallurgy and engineering.
Today, the Hittites are remembered as one of the most powerful and sophisticated civilizations of the ancient world.