The First Empire of Anatolia: The Hittites
Who Were the Hittites?
The Hittites were the civilization that established the first major state on the lands of Anatolia. They lived in Central Anatolia approximately 4000 years ago. Their capital was the city of Hattuşaş, located in today’s Çorum province. For this reason, the Hittites are sometimes referred to as "Hattians."
The Hittites in History
In the 17th century BCE, the Hittites grew in power in Anatolia and established a kingdom. By the 14th century BCE, they had become a vast empire extending into Syria and Mesopotamia. Therefore, the Hittites are regarded as Anatolia’s first empire.
Use of Writing and Historical Recordkeeping
The Hittites used writing! They adopted cuneiform script from the Mesopotamian civilizations and inscribed texts on clay tablets. This enabled them to record their history, laws, and treaties. The "Treaty of Kadesh" is recognized as the world’s first written peace treaty and was concluded with the Egyptians.
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Society and Family
In Hittite society, the king was also the supreme commander and the earthly representative of the gods. The queen (tavananna) played a significant role in governance. The Hittites engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, and crafts. They placed great importance on family structure.
Religion and Gods
The Hittites believed in many deities, which is why their land was called the "Land of a Thousand Gods." They built large temples for their gods, placing particular emphasis on the deities of the sky, the sun, the storm, and fertility.
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The Hittite Army and Wars
The Hittite army was disciplined and powerful. They waged war using chariots drawn by horses. Their most famous conflict was the "Battle of Kadesh" against Egypt.
Hittite Art and Architecture
The Hittites excelled in stone carving. They created rock monuments, reliefs, and statues. Examples of these works can be seen at sites such as Yazılıkaya and Alacahöyük.
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The End of the Hittites
The Hittite Empire weakened and collapsed in the 12th century BCE following invasions by groups known as the Sea Peoples. Nevertheless, their legacy became one of the foundational pillars of Anatolian history.
References
Akurgal, Ekrem. Anadolu Uygarlıkları. Ankara: Türk Tarih Kurumu Yayınları, 2002.
Bryce, Trevor. The Kingdom of the Hittites. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
Diyanet Vakfı İslam Ansiklopedisi. "Hititler." https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/hititler
Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi. "Hititler." https://muze.gov.tr
