Author Description
In the 14th century BC the Hittites became the supreme political and military power in the Near East. How did they achieve their supremacy? How successful were they in maintaining it? What brought about their collapse and disappearance? This comprehensive history of the Hittite kingdom seeks to answer these questions. It takes account of important recent advances in Hittite scholarship, including some major archaeological discoveries made in the last few years. It also features numerous translations from the original texts, so that on many issues the ancient Hittites are given the opportunity to speak to the modern reader for themselves. The revised edition contains a substantial amount of new material, as well as numerous other revisions to the first edition.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the mechanisms behind the rise, maintenance, and eventual collapse of the Hittite Empire in the 14th century BC. Trevor Bryce, a distinguished scholar in the field of Hittite studies, synthesizes archaeological data and primary source translations to construct a comprehensive historical narrative. The text evaluates the political and military strategies that allowed the Hittites to achieve regional supremacy while analyzing the internal and external factors that precipitated their eventual disappearance.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed historical analysis of the Hittite political and military structure
- Translations of original Hittite texts providing primary source perspectives
- Integration of recent archaeological findings and scholarly advancements
- Examination of the factors leading to the empire's collapse
Scope Limits
- Does not cover the broader history of the entire Near East beyond its direct interaction with the Hittite kingdom
- Focuses primarily on political and military history rather than detailed social or daily life studies
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and historians recognize this volume as a foundational and authoritative text on Hittite history. Readers frequently note the academic rigor of the prose, which remains accessible to those interested in the complexities of ancient Near Eastern civilizations.
Page Count:
574
Publication Date:
2006-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
019159332X
ISBN-13:
9780191593321
History
Ancient History
Hittites
Military History
Archaeology
Near Eastern Studies