Description
By William Wright. Uncover the forgotten world of one of the ancient Near East’s greatest civilizations in this classic exploration of the mysterious Hittite Empire.
In The Empire of the Hittites, scholar and archaeologist William Wright presents a fascinating study of the Hittites, the powerful Bronze Age civilization that once rivaled Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon for dominance in the ancient world. Written during the exciting early years of archaeological discovery in the Near East, this pioneering work helped introduce modern readers to a civilization that had long been buried beneath the ruins of history.
Drawing upon inscriptions, monuments, biblical references, and archaeological discoveries, Wright reconstructs the rise, power, religion, and culture of the Hittite people. Readers are transported into a world of mighty kings, fortified cities, chariot warfare, diplomacy, and imperial expansion across Anatolia and Syria. The book explores the Hittites’ relations with neighboring civilizations, including their famous conflicts and treaties with ancient Egypt, while also examining their art, writing, religious beliefs, and political organization.
Written in a clear and engaging style, The Empire of the Hittites combines historical scholarship with the excitement of discovery, capturing a moment when archaeologists and historians were only beginning to uncover the secrets of the ancient Near East. More than a historical survey, it is a window into the rediscovery of a lost empire whose influence shaped the course of Bronze Age civilization.
This carefully restored reprint revives a landmark work of early archaeological literature for modern readers. Ideal for students, history enthusiasts, and lovers of ancient civilizations, The Empire of the Hittites remains a compelling introduction to a once-forgotten empire whose ruins and records transformed our understanding of the ancient world.
About the author: William Wright (1837–1899) was a British missionary, scholar, and archaeologist noted for his studies of the ancient Near East and early investigations into Hittite civilization. He wrote extensively on biblical archaeology, ancient inscriptions, and Near Eastern history, helping bring knowledge of the Hittites to a wider nineteenth-century audience.
Contents
Chapter I: Securing the Hittite Inscriptions
Chapter II: The Hittite Empire from the Egyptian Standpoint
Chapter III: The Hittite Empire from the Assyrian Standpoint
Chapter IV: Geographical Extent of the Hittite Empire
Chapter V: Hittite Art and Learning
Chapter VI: Hittite Religion
Chapter VII: Hittite Nationality
Chapter VIII: The Hittites from the Bible Standpoint
Chapter IX: Are the Inscriptions Hittite Remains?
Chapter X: The Hittite Inscriptions
Chapter XI: Decipherment of the Hittite Inscriptions
Appendix I
Appendix II
Appendix III
Appendix IV
Appendix V
Appendix VI: Inscriptions
Index
