The ancient Hittite Empire, once the pinnacle power of Anatolia. The Hittites, who originated from the high mountains, stepped out of the top of the mountain, yearning for the vast land. A mighty empire that terrified the Egyptians turned into a passerby in the long river of history. "The Hittite of the high mountains, how did the mighty Egypt fall? "The ancient Hittite Empire, once the pinnacle power of Anatolia. The Hittites, who originated from the high mountains, stepped out of the top of the mountain, yearning for the vast land. A mighty empire that terrified the Egyptians turned into a passerby in the long river of history. "The Hittite of the high mountains, how did the mighty Egypt fall? "Once standing in the lofty mountains of Anatolia, now only mottled ruins remain, but they bear the glory and decline of an ancient civilization. Who would have thought that the Hittites, who migrated from the eastern mountains as a tribe on the edge of Asia Minor, would evolve into a hegemon who would dominate Anatolia? The Hattites, who originally lived in the eastern mountains, quickly integrated and developed in their interactions with the Indo-Europeans. The Indo-Europeans of the Nesit, who at first clashed, gradually cooperated, became the newborn Hittites, using the Nesitic language. They learned to write from Assyrian merchants, adopted cuneiform script, and embarked on the path of civilization. At the beginning of the 18th century BC, the Hittites ended the rule of Assyrian merchants in central Anatolia and established the Hittite kingdom. It all started with the conquest of one city, and that was Hattusha. As early as 3000 BC-2000 BC, Hattusha was inhabited by humans. Around 1700 BCE, the Hittite Kusar king Anitas captured Hatusha, destroyed the city, and erected a monument in the ruins to warn future generations. The descendants of Anitas, especially Hattusili I, re-established Hattusha as the capital of the Hittites soon after. Behind this decision was the Hittite people's deep awareness of the geographical location. Hattusha is surrounded by abundant farmland, natural pastures, forests, which provide ample food and resources. The city's geographical location also made it strategically important, providing a solid foundation for the expansion of the Hittites. And the construction style of Hattusha, such as the Lion Gate and the Great Temple, also demonstrates the civilization and artistic level of the Hittites. The city was destroyed several times, at one point by Anitas, and later re-established during the glory days of the Hittite kingdom. Hattusili I's choice of capital made Hattusha the political, cultural, and military center of the Hittite Empire. Its superior geographical conditions allowed the Hittites to rise in Anatolia and dominate the mountains and rivers. When it is prosperous, it also hides internal and external troubles. Under the reign of Khatusili I, the Hittites conquered Silesia, and the northern Syrian Ararach subjugated, defeated the cities of Ursu and Hasselblad, and even expanded to the shores of the Mediterranean. In the process, the Hittites maintained a strong military power and became the overlords of Anatolia. But after the death of Hattusili I, the Hittite Empire fell into civil war. A slave revolt broke out among the princes, and the turmoil plunged the Hittites into brief chaos. The new monarch, Mursili I, boosted morale, suppressed the rebellion, and maintained the unity of the country. During his reign, the Hittites continued to consolidate their territory and ushered in a period of relative peace. After the death of Mursili I, his son Tirepin took over the throne, and the Hittites redefined the system of succession to the throne to ensure the principle of succession. This did not solve the problem of the struggle for power within the Hittite. The strength of the Hittite Empire was weakened during this period, but it did not lose its foundation for unity. The rise and fall of the Hittite kingdom has always been inseparable from internal and external difficulties, the wisdom and decision-making of its leaders. The Hittite glory didn't end there. In the Hittite calendar.
Fourth, the splendor of culture.
During the Hittite Empire, in addition to being militarily powerful, they also had notable achievements in the field of culture. The capital, Hattusha, became the cradle of civilization, and the Great Temple was a symbol of culture. The interior of the temple is home to elaborate statues, a large number of clay tablets, and a unique architectural style that demonstrates the cultural prowess of the Hittites.
The cultural sanctuary of the Great Temple.
The Great Temple is one of the representatives of the Hittite culture. The interior is dedicated to Tishub, the god of storms, and Herbert, the goddess of the sun, and is a symbol of the spiritual faith of the Hittite people. Although the exterior of the temple is not ornate, the interior is unique. The huge turquoise stele in the courtyard is said to have been a gift from Ramses II of Egypt and became a testimony to the friendly exchanges between the two civilizations.
A bond of cultural exchange.
The Hittites were not conservative in their learning, they learned the way of writing from their neighboring Assyria, and adopted the cuneiform script of Mesopotamia, which laid the foundation for the birth of Hittite studies, and the population of the Hittites was drastically reduced, and the social order was turbulent, and they were unable to effectively resist internal and external pressures. The spread of the disease became a catastrophe for the Hittite Empire, destroying their stable lives and prosperous society.
Social unrest. As the plague spread, the society of the Hittite Empire fell into chaos. Livelihoods are threatened, social order collapses, and inability to respond exacerbates unrest. Social instability has become a breakthrough for the infiltration of external forces, and it has also made the internal power struggle more intense.
Penetration of neighboring countries.
The Hittite Empire struggled with internal strife, while pressure from its neighbors continued to mount. Ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Assyria took the opportunity to infiltrate the territory of the Hittites and weaken their national power. During this period, the Hittites' frontiers were constantly being invaded, and their territory gradually shrank.
Interruption of the literature.
Documentation of the Hittite Empire was also interrupted during this period, making it more difficult to trace the history of the Hittites. A large number of clay tablets and records have been lost or destroyed, obscuring the memory of the Hittite culture. The chaos of this period may have led to the decline of Hittite studies.
IV. Later History.
The fall of the Hittite Empire did not end the history of the land. As time went on, other civilizations rose, and the land continued to witness the vicissitudes of history.
New kingdoms arise.
After the fall of the Hittite Empire, new kingdoms emerged in the region. Assyria, Neo-Babylon, and other powers gradually filled the void left by the Hittite Empire and re-established control over the land.
The inheritance of culture.
The Hittite culture has been passed down to a certain extent. Although Hittite science declined for a short time, its influence remained. Later civilizations absorbed and inherited the Hittite culture, forming a more colorful historical picture.
Archaeological finds.
Contemporary archaeological research has gradually revealed the history of the Hittite Empire. The ruins of cities such as Hatusha, as well as the remnants of artifacts such as clay tablets, provide important clues for researchers. Through archaeological discoveries, we have a more comprehensive understanding of this once glorious civilization.
The rise and fall of the Hittite Empire is a thought-provoking chapter in the history of the ancient Middle East. They all had unique contributions to the military, culture, and politics, but internal and external troubles eventually led to their demise. The disappearance of the Hittite Empire left behind a historical mystery, and an in-depth study of this period will help us better understand the complex historical landscape of the ancient Middle East.
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