The Hittites: and their Contemporaries in Asia Minor (Ancient Peoples and Places) [Paperback]

Originally published in 1976, 'The Hittites and their Contemporaries in Asia Minor' is a classic text that still stands up well to this day. Although much has been discovered in Hittite archaeology since the book's original publication, this is still the most easily accessible title on these fascinating ancient people outside of expensive academic titles. If you can afford it, It would be worth getting Trevor Bryce's up-to-date work on the Hittite Empire, but if you don't have the money, then this is the best alternative.

J.G Macqueen has given the book a slight update since 1996, and in a brief paragraph at the book's introduction, he does give the reader an overview of the discoveries made between 1976 and 1996. Everything from that year to our own has not been covered. Macqueen traces the history of the Hittites from their first arrival in Anatolia as a possible migratory people, to their subsequent takeover of Hattian culture, and their rise to becoming the dominant people of Asia Minor. Along the way he gives us the archaeological background of Anatolia, from Neolithic settlements at Catal Huyuk, to a discussion on the Hattian people. He then takes us on a short tour of Hittite history, through the reigns of some of its kings such as Hattusilis I, Suppiluliumas I, Mursilis II, Muwatallis etc. He also explains the importance of tin to the Hittite economy, as well as attempting to reconstruct Anatolian geography from the Hittite texts.

From this point he covers chapters on Warfare and Defence (including a look at Hattusha's fortifications), Society and Administration (village life and government), Daily life in late Bronze Age Anatolia, religion (the gods and rituals), art and literature (which includes brief translations of Hittite prayers), and a look at the peoples and empires that followed the fall of Hatti.

The fall of the Hittite Empire is a matter of great debate among scholars, and Macqueen takes the view they were overrun by the Sea Peoples, a view that has been criticised in recent times. Evidence now shows that the Hittites abandoned Hattusha, but nobody knows where they went. This is the only section of the book that is rather dated, but the book is still useful and informative.

The book is short, well written and illustrated with 149 black and white photographs, as well as maps and diagrams. My only criticism of the diagrams is that the ones on Hittite pottery don't actually name the different types, which is difficult to follow when the author describes them in the text. Other than that, the diagrams and photographs are great. In conclusion, if you want a short, affordable introduction to the Hittites, this is the best available even if it is slightly dated. Recommended!

This book is excellent value, has a lot of photos, but lacks decent maps. Slightly let down the the author not attempting to fill in any historical gaps himself. Gives a good basic history of the Hittites but a lot more has been found about them since this book was published in the 70s.

Given the brevity of this work, and how long ago it was written, the reader ought to take this as an introduction to the history of the Hittites rather than a comprehensive guide. Macqueen begins by providing the background of the environment in which the Hittites existed and the history of the region in the several thousand years before the appearance of the Hittites. This allows the reader to place the Hittites in context. The book then moves on to discuss the various attempts at identifying the origins of the Hittites, a tangled issue whose best hypothesis suggests an origin around the mouth of the Danube, though whether these people arrived in Anatolia via the Bosporus or the steppes of the Caucasus remains a matter of debate. The work then provides a history of the Hittites via its kings and the major events that spanned the rise and fall of the empire, before exploring different aspects in greater depth. A chapter each is devoted to warfare, society and administration, daily life, religion, and art and literature. The concluding chapter discusses the peoples who occupied Anatolia following the Hittites and whether any of them can be said to be the descendants or successors of the Hittites.

Whilst the book does cover the basics, and thus should be treated as an introduction to the Hittites, the work is very much an academic piece, including discussions of key archaeological debates surrounding the Hittites and plenty of diagrams and factual descriptions of the art, architecture and artefacts uncovered by excavation. The casual reader may therefore find the book a little dry. Certainly I would not recommend this book for light reading unless you're an academic, in which case it's brevity and introductory style which touches on the basics of the Hittite empire and daily life may provide an easier read than the extreme focus of more in depth articles and studies. The book does not wash over the reader however, and requires focus. The language is not difficult, but the presentation and dryness is what precludes "The Hittites" from being light reading.

Ultimately the book leaves the reader with more questions than answers, which understandably is a result of the fact that we still know so little about the Hittites. Questions regarding their origins and the fall of the Hittite empire remain the most pressing unresolved mysteries, and admittedly they're pretty big questions. On the other hand, the book offers snippets of insight into the culture and day to day living of the Hittite people, by examining what the available material evidence can tell us about their clothes, adornments, art, aesthetics and rituals. Altogether a well-written work, albeit not ground-breaking or in depth. I would give this book 3.5 stars if half stars could be awarded.