Cappadocia In The Historic Periods 2

Cappadocia In The Historic Periods  2

Hittite Period ( 1750-1200BC )

     The Hittites, came from Europe via the Causcaus and settled in Cappadocia around 2000BC. They formed an empire in the region by merging with the native people. Their language was of Indo-Europan origin. The capital of the Hittite kingdom was at Hattushash ( Bogazkoy ). The other important cities were Alacahoyuk and Alisar. In the Cappadocia region, engraved stone monuments dating back from the Imperial Period can be found near water sources and strategic routes. By means of the rock  monuments, the routes used by the Hittite kings to reach the southern countries can be determined. Within the borders of Kayseri, located to the south of Mount Erciyes, are rock monuments of Fraktin, Tasci and Imamkulu.  They served several purposes: to venerate the gods, to express the gratitude of the great king ( Hattusili III ) and queen ( Puduhepa ) to the godsend to show the extent of theempire’s power.

Late Hittite Kingdom ( 1200-700BC )

After the Phrygians destroyed all the important towns in Central Anatoli, thus eliminating the Hittite Empire, fragments of the Late Hittite Kingdom sprang up around central and southeast Anatolia. The Late Hittite Kingdom in Cappadocia was the Tabal Kingdom, which extended over Kayseri, Nevsehir and Nigde. Rock monuments from this age, with Hittite hieroglyphics, can be found at Gulsehir-Sivasa (Gokcetoprak), Acigol-Topada, and Hacibektas-Karaburna. The Topada monument, the most important of the rock monuments written in Hittite hieroglyphics,  is situated  close to the district of Acigol, 25 km to the west of Nevsehir. The text which consists of eight lines, refers to the political situation of Cappadocia at the time. Below is the summary of the inscription:
The Edict by the Great King Wasusarma:
” I ama Wasusarma, son of the Great King Tuwati. There were seven great kings in the city of Parzuta. Three of these , Warpalawas, Kiakki and. Tuwata,  were friends. I arrived here with my royal army. The whole city, all the cavalry men and infantry stood up against me and I opposed them. The city Parzuta stood up (against me ) on its own land. The city walls were destroyed. My Lords, the God Tarhu ( God of Air), Sarumma (son of Teshup, God of Storms ) and (two more gods) have shown me the way. Whoever takes these gods, let these gods in return take away their offspring and their land. Wheather they be kings or commoners, let their offspring and lands be destroyed.”

Source:Korpus