Hittites: Bronze Age Empire Legacy

*Includes pictures of important people, places, and events

*Includes excerpts from Hittite annals detailing their culture and battles

*Includes a bibliography for further reading

*Includes a table of contents

Found at the capital city of Hattusa, an inscription reads, “Whoever after me becomes king resettles Hattusas, let the Stormgod of the Sky strike him!” The Hittites are an ancient people whose influence on the ancient Near East is undeniable, despite being somewhat enigmatic and lesser known to most. With their capital situated high in central Anatolia, the Hittites conquered and controlled a kingdom encompassing modern Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon through military force and diplomatic cunning.

Compared to other contemporary empires like the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians, the Hittites were geographically and culturally distant, speaking Indo-European in a region dominated by Afro-Asiatic and Semitic groups. Their empire, existing from about 1800-1200 BCE, was shorter-lived than their neighbors but left a significant mark on the politics and economy of the ancient Near East.

The Hittites, a literate people with a sophisticated corpus of literature, left behind archives that provide insight into their history. While they were not keen on dating their sources, ancient Egyptian records help to establish a chronology of events, filling in gaps where Hittite texts are silent. Modern archaeology has also shed light on Hittite civilization, particularly in regards to life in the capital city of Hattusa.

"The Hittites: The History of the Most Prominent Empire of the Ancient Near East" traces the history and legacy of the Hittites across centuries. Through a blend of historical sources, archaeological evidence, and modern scholarship, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of who the Hittites were, their impact on the ancient Near East, and the eventual collapse of their empire. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of this influential but lesser-known civilization, delving into their culture, battles, and enduring legacy. With detailed images, a curated bibliography, and a user-friendly table of contents, this book presents the history of the Hittites in a captivating and accessible manner.

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