Pitḫana (Pythanas[1]) was a Bronze Age king, during the 18th century BC (middle chronology), of the Anatolian city of Kuššara, and a forerunner of the later Hittite dynasty.[2]
Pitḫana | |
---|---|
Occupation | King of Kuššara |
Children | Anitta |
Parent | unknown |
During his reign he conquered the city of Kanesh,[3] heart of the Assyrian trading colonies network in Anatolia, and core of the Hittite-speaking territories.
The seal of an agricultural official Ilī-Samas has been discovered with several texts at Tell al-Rimah. The seal describes Ilī-Samas as being a servant of a name that may be Pitḫana, which could correspond to King Pitḫana of Kuššara. If so, the seal is dated to approximately year 20 of the reign of King Samsu-iluna of Babylon (c. 1730 BC according to the middle chronology or c. 1666 BC according to the short chronology).[4]
He was succeeded by his son, Anitta, who is best known for conquering Hattusa, the future Hittite capital, and memorializing his achievement using the Hittite language.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Fortson, Benjamin W. IV (2004), Indo-European Language and Culture, Blackwell Publishing, ISBN 1-4051-0316-7
- ^ Kuhrt, Amélie (1995). The Ancient Near East, Volume I. London and New York: Routledge. p. 226. ISBN 0-415-16763-9.
- ^ Kuhrt, Amélie (1995). The Ancient Near East, Volume I. London and New York: Routledge. p. 226. ISBN 0-415-16763-9.
- ^ Lacambre, Denis; Nahm, Werner (2015). "Pithana, an Anatolian ruler in the time of Samsuiluna of Babylon: New data from Tell Rimah (Iraq)". Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale. 109. Presses Universitaires de France. ISSN 0373-6032. Retrieved 13 January 2022.