In Our Time The Hittites
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Dec 23, 2021 Claudia Glatz, a Professor of Archaeology, Ilgi Gercek, an expert in Hittite language and history, and Christoph Bachhuber, a Lecturer in Archaeology, delve into the enigmatic world of the Hittites, a powerful empire of the Late Bronze Age. They discuss the significance of the Treaty of Kadesh, explore the remarkable archaeology of Hattusa, and highlight the Hittite's advanced grain storage systems. The conversation reveals fascinating insights into Hittite culture, military campaigns, and their mysterious decline, offering a glimpse into a civilization that shaped ancient history.
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Hittite Rule and Gods
- The Hittite empire was ruled by a single dynasty throughout its existence.
- While polytheistic, with a vast pantheon, Hittite kings were not considered gods during their lifetime but became deities upon death.
Hattusa: The Hittite Capital
- Hattusa, the Hittite capital, was a large, fortified city built on a mountain, resembling a castle.
- Within its walls, the city primarily housed state-focused structures like palaces and temples, suggesting an elite enclave.
Hittite Language
- About 30,000 cuneiform tablets and fragments have been recovered from Hittite archives, revealing a linguistically diverse population.
- Hittite, an Indo-European language, is the oldest recorded language of its branch and a relative of languages like Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit.