The Hitite Language

            The Hittite language is part of the Indo-European languages associated with the Anatolian branch of the group. It was used by the Hittites who lived in the Bronze Age dating back to the 16th century B.C (Garstang, 1929). They established an empire located around Hattusa that was in northern Anatolia which is present day Turkey that lasted from c 1600 B.C - 1178 B.C (Ceram, 1956). Sources of the history of the origin of the empire was located on stone tablets but later in the 12th and 13th centuries Akkadian copies were produced. There are three phases of the occupation and subsequent establishment of the Hittite empire; the old kingdom, the middle kingdom and the new kingdom. .
             Hattusili I and Mursili I began in the Old kingdom, which was conquered by the southern regions towards the Amorite kingdom located in Syria. The latter expanded the empire to Mesopotamia a campaign that weakened and stretched resources, this ultimately lead to his assassination. The empire then plunged into a state of anarchy and poor leadership that lasted a few centuries. This was due to the fact that kingship was not centralized and the kings were treated as equals. The last ruler of the Old kingdom was Telepinu who ushered in the start of the Middle Kingdom.
             Evidence and sources of information about the Middle kingdom are scarce that can be attributed to the frequent attacks and invasions by the Kaska who lived on the shores of the Black Sea. The period was largely dominated by peace treaties and diplomatic efforts with the neighboring warring tribes. The onset of the New Kingdom under Tudhliya I saw the emergence of a strong and solid Hittite Empire. The period saw a stronger leadership structure that became hereditary. The kings were now seen as divine and used to conduct services of a high priest. The height of Hittite power and influence was under Suppiluliuma I but the empire was facing a growing threat in form of the Assyrian and Egyptian kingdoms.