🏛️Hattusa was the capital city of the Hittite Empire during the Bronze Age.
🔑The city was known for its impressive architecture and religious significance.
🦁The city was protected by grand entrance gates, such as the Lion Gate and King's Gate.
🏰The royal palace of Hattusa served as the seat of the Hittite kings and a grand meeting place for vassal rulers.
🔥Fire was a constant concern in the densely-packed wooden city, leading to strict precautions.
What was the population of Hattusa?
—Estimates suggest a total population between 10,000 and 40,000 people during its height.
What were the key features of Hattusa's temples?
—The temples were square or rectangular in shape, with an entranceway, pillared porch, inner antechamber, and a sanctum.
How did visitors enter the city?
—Visitors would enter through grand entrance gates like the Lion Gate, pass through the upper temple district, and ascend to the royal palace.
What happened to Hattusa during the Bronze Age collapse?
—During the collapse, the city was destroyed, becoming a blackened ruin that would never rise again.
Who were the Hittites?
—The Hittites were an ancient civilization that thrived during the Bronze Age in what is now modern-day Turkey.
00:06Hattusa, the capital city of the Hittite Empire, is often overlooked but holds a rich history.
02:22Phase three of Hattusa began in the 1600s BC when the royal capital was established.
04:47The King's Gate and the Sphinx Gate were grand entranceways into the city.
09:31Temple 5 was the largest structure in Hattusa and likely served as a royal ancestor shrine.
14:03Hattusa's population, primarily composed of Hittites and other peoples, ranged from 10,000 to 40,000.
15:13The royal palace in Hattusa was a grand building where vassal rulers would meet with the Hittite king.
17:28Despite its former grandeur, Hattusa was eventually destroyed and left as a ruin.
