APPENDIX 2
Outline of Main
Events in Hittite
History
(All dates are approximate.)
THEOLDKINGDOM
Labarna (?–1650), founder(?) of the Hittite dynasty, extends by
military conquest the kingdom of Hatti through much of the
eastern half of the Anatolian peninsula.
Hattusili I (1650–1620) establishes Hattusa as the Hittite
capital and conducts extensive military campaigns in Syria and
western Anatolia.
After rebellion and faction strife within the royal family,
Hattusili appoints his grandson Mursili as his successor.
The reign of Mursili I (1620–1590) is noteworthy for successful
military campaigns across the Taurus, including the conquests of
Aleppo and Babylon.
The assassination of Mursili by his brother-in-law and
successor Hantili begins a period of weakness and instability in
the kingdom (1590–1525). This is characterised by disputes over
the royal succession, and invasions by the Hurrians who emerge as
a major power in northern Mesopotamia, northern Syria, and
eastern Anatolia.