Description
By A. H. Sayce. Rediscover one of the great lost civilizations of the ancient world in this pioneering classic of archaeology and ancient history.
In The Hittites: The Story of a Forgotten Empire, renowned scholar and archaeologist A. H. Sayce brings to life the remarkable story of the Hittites, a mighty Bronze Age civilization that once rivaled Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon for power across the ancient Near East. Written during the great age of nineteenth-century archaeological discovery, this influential work introduced readers to a civilization that had remained almost entirely forgotten for thousands of years.
Drawing upon the archaeological discoveries and newly deciphered inscriptions of his day, along with biblical references and ancient records, Sayce reconstructs the rise and fall of the Hittite Empire and the wider world in which it flourished. Readers are transported into an age of warrior kings, fortified cities, diplomatic intrigue, and imperial conquest stretching across Anatolia and Syria. The book examines the Hittites’ military power, religion, political organization, and cultural achievements, while also exploring their famous interactions with neighboring civilizations, including Egypt and Assyria.
Written in a clear and engaging style, The Hittites: The Story of a Forgotten Empire captures the excitement of archaeological discovery at a time when scholars were only beginning to uncover the secrets of the ancient Near East. More than a historical survey, the book is a fascinating record of how archaeology transformed humanity’s understanding of the ancient world.
Sayce’s authoritative scholarship and engaging writing make this work both informative and highly readable, introducing modern audiences to a civilization whose influence helped shape the history of the ancient Near East.
This carefully restored reprint revives a landmark work of early archaeological literature for modern readers. Ideal for students, history enthusiasts, historians, and lovers of ancient civilizations, it remains a compelling gateway into the mystery, grandeur, and rediscovery of the Hittite Empire.
About the author: A. H. Sayce (1845–1933) was a British Assyriologist, linguist, and professor of Assyriology at Oxford University, renowned for his pioneering work on ancient Near Eastern languages and civilizations. He wrote extensively on Assyria, Babylon, the Hittites, and biblical archaeology, helping bring the discoveries of nineteenth-century archaeology to a wide readership.
