Civilization · c. 1650 – 1178 BCE
Hittite Empire
The Anatolian great power that fought Egypt at Kadesh.
Capital: Hattusa · Middle East (West Asia)
Overview
The Hittites were one of the Bronze Age's three great powers, contending with Egypt and Assyria until the general collapse of 1200 BCE erased them from history until 20th-century archaeology.
Timeline
- c. 1650 BCEHattusili I founds the Old Kingdom
- c. 1595 BCESack of Babylon
- c. 1274 BCEBattle of Kadesh with Egypt
- c. 1178 BCECollapse of Hattusa
Rulers
Empire-builder
Kadesh commander
Wars & conflicts
- Battle of Kadesh
- Wars with Mitanni and Egypt
Architecture
Massive cyclopean walls at Hattusa, Lion Gate, rock reliefs at Yazılıkaya.
Religion
'Thousand gods' pantheon with Hurrian, Mesopotamian and Anatolian layers.
Economy
Grain, horses, iron working, treaty diplomacy.
Technology
Iron metallurgy, chariotry, cuneiform in a distinct Hittite script.
Art
Rock reliefs, ceremonial vessels, monumental gate sculpture.
Influence
First recorded international treaty (Egyptian-Hittite peace, 1259 BCE).
Decline
Bronze Age Collapse, Sea Peoples, internal succession crises.
Key sites
- Hattusa
- Yazılıkaya
- Alaca Höyük