The end of god-napping and the religious foundations of the New Hittite Empire

Amir Gilan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

The practice of god-napping is richly attested in Old Hittite historiography but disappears almost completely in later, Empire Period sources. It will be suggested that this silence is not coincidental, but rather reflects a deep change in Hittite policy towards Hurro-Syrian deities. Furthermore, it will be suggested that this new imperial policy was founded on the experience of the political and religious integration of Kizzuwatna by the founders of the New Hittite Empire. This new policy, which provides for the maintenance of local cults rather than for their spoliation, will prove to be more successful than the Old Hittite destructive mode of action.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)195-205
Number of pages11
JournalZeitschrift fur Assyriologie und Vorderasiastische Archaeologie
Volume104
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 30 Dec 2014

Funding

FundersFunder number
Israel Science FoundationNr.610/11

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