ABSTRACT
Introduction The Hittites flourished in central Anatolia (today Turkey) from about 1800 to 1177 bce. At least three languages were widely spoken in the kingdom: Hittite and Luwian (both Indo-European) and Hurrian. In the north Syrian part of the empire Hurrian and Semitic Amorite languages dominated. Hittite culture was heavily influenced by the indigenous Hattians and the AssyroBabylonian culture of Mesopotamia. Hittite civilization survived the destructions at the end of the Bronze Age in the form of Luwian-and West Semitic-speaking petty states in southern Anatolia and north Syria until these were gradually absorbed into the Neo-Assyrian Empire by the early seventh century.
