Pitḫana (Pythanas) 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.
During his reign he conquered the city of
Kanesh, 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
''Bābili(m)''
* sux, 𒆍𒀭𒊏𒆠
* arc, 𐡁𐡁𐡋 ''Bāḇel''
* syc, ܒܒܠ ''Bāḇel''
* grc-gre, Βαβυλών ''Babylṓn''
* he, בָּבֶל ''Bāvel''
* peo, 𐎲𐎠𐎲𐎡𐎽𐎢 ''Bābiru''
* elx, 𒀸𒁀𒉿𒇷 ''Babi ...
(c. 1730 BC according to the
middle chronology or c. 1666 BC according to the
short chronology
The chronology of the ancient Near East is a framework of dates for various events, rulers and dynasties. Historical inscriptions and texts customarily record events in terms of a succession of officials or rulers: "in the year X of king Y". Com ...
).
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
*
History of the Hittites
The Hittites () were an Anatolian peoples, Anatolian people who played an important role in establishing first a kingdom in Kussara (before 1750 BC), then the Kültepe , Kanesh or Nesha kingdom (c. 1750–1650 BC), and next an empire centere ...
References
External links
Reign of Pithana
{{Authority control
Kings of Kussara
18th-century BC rulers