1a+-+Hittites

The Hittites A Hittite chariot Ruins of the Hittite capital Map of the Hittites region  
 * The Hittites moved from Asia Minor into Mesopotamia in about 1400 B.C.
 * Before arriving in Mesopotamia, the Hittites tried expanding their culture in Syria. Therem they fought with the Egyptians. From then on, the Egyptian and the Hittites were military rivals.
 * The Hittites were less advanced then the people from Mesopotamia.
 * One major accomplishment of the Hittitse, was the discovery of how to make harder, sharper weapons and tools from iron. The iron ore from rocks was very plentiful; there, the Hittites were able to save resouces. Also, the iron was less expensive so the Hittittes started to arm peasant and slaves. This helped strengthen their army.
 * The Hitties were believed to have had three kingdoms: The Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom.
 * The Hittite land was very fertile, richwith supplies of minerals like copper, lead, silver, and iron. Their main crops were wheat and barley and their main livestock consisted of cattle and sheep. It is thought that the Hittites did not trade often because they found themselves often in war.
 * The Hittites governments was run by a King, who also took the roles of supreem priest, military commander, and chief judge. The kings main job was to bring unity among the diversity of of the people. It is thought that the Hittite society was inspiredby the Babylonians.
 * The Hittites used cunieform for writing. They also used hieroglyphics.
 * The Hittite religion was polytheistic.
 * The Hittite military used many powerful weapons when fighting like bronze- tipped arrows and bows. It if believed that the Hittites were the first people to use horses to pull chariots. The chariots often was feared by the opponent.
 * Neighboring countries influenced Hittite art and archeatecture. To build houses, they often used stone, bricks, and wood. The Hittites built large temples and palaces with extragavent walls, gates, and entrances.
 * After about ruling for 200 years, the Hittite empire collasped in about 1200 B.C.
 * When the empire collapsed, the Hittite knowledge of using iron the make weapons spread to Asia, Europe, and Africa. This started the Iron Age.

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