Hattusa

Quick Facts: Who was Hattusa?

Subject:

Hattusa

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Ancient capital of the Hittite Empire, known for its monumental ruins in modern Turkey.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Hattusa, also Hattuşa, Ḫattuša, Hattusas, or Hattusha, was the capital of the Hittite Empire in the late Bronze Age during two distinct periods. Its ruins lie near to modern Boğazkale, Turkey (originally Boğazköy), within the great loop of the Kızılırmak River (Hittite: Marashantiya; Greek: Halys). French archeologist Charles Texier brought attention to the ruins after his visit in 1834. Over the following century, sporadic exploration occurred, involving different archaeologists. The German Oriental Society and the German Archaeological Institute began systematic excavations in the early 20th century, which continue to this day.

Career & Major Achievements

Hattusa was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1986. The earliest traces of settlement on the site are from the 6th millennium BC during the Chalcolithic period. Toward the end of the 3rd millennium BC the Hattian people established a settlement on locations that had been occupied even earlier and referred to the site as Hattush. In the 19th and 18th centuries BC, merchants from Assyria, centered at Kanesh (Neša) (modern Kültepe) established a trading post there, setting up in their own separate quarter of the lower city. A carbonized layer apparent in excavations attests to the burning and ruin of the city of Hattusa around 1700 BC.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The responsible party appears to have been King Anitta from Kussara, who took credit for the act and erected an inscribed curse for good measure: Whoever after me becomes king resettles Hattusas, let the Stormgod of the Sky strike him! Nevertheless the city was rebuilt, possibly by a son of Anitta. Around 1650 BC, the Hittite king Labarna moved the capital from Neša to Hattusa and took the name of Hattusili, the "one/man from Hattusa". After the Kaskians arrived to the kingdom's north, they twice attacked the city and under king Tudhaliya I, the Hittites moved the capital north to Sapinuwa. Under Muwatalli II, they moved south to Tarhuntassa but the king assigned his younger brother, the future Hattusili III as governor over Hattusa.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1650: 1650 Milestone — Around 1650 BC, the Hittite king Labarna moved the capital from Neša to Hattusa and took the name of Hattusili, the "one/man from Hattusa".
2. 1700: 1700 Milestone — A carbonized layer apparent in excavations attests to the burning and ruin of the city of Hattusa around 1700 BC.
3. 1834: 1834 Milestone — French archeologist Charles Texier brought attention to the ruins after his visit in 1834.
4. 1986: 1986 Milestone — Hattusa was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1986.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hattusa

True or False: “The city of Hattusa was continuously inhabited and rebuilt by successive cultures without any major periods of abandonment.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the site saw continuous settlement traces from the 6th millennium BC, it experienced significant periods of decline and eventual abandonment following the Late Bronze Age collapse around 1200 BC.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Hattusa