Inscriptions of the Hittite Empire and New Inscriptions of the Iron Age
By: John David Hawkins
"Luwian and the closely related Hittite are the oldest known languages of the Indo-European group. Luwian is written in two scripts: Cuneiform and its own Hieroglyphic, which survives mostly on stone monuments collected from Turkey and Syria. The texts fall into two main groups, those of the Hittite Empire (c. 1400–1200 B.C.), and those of the Iron Age (c. 1000–700 B.C.),with a transitional period (c. 1200–1000 B.C.). One of the editor’s principal research efforts has been the establishment of reliable texts presented in facsimile copies and photographs. His Inscriptions of the Iron Age were published as Vol. I in 2000, and the great Luwian-Phoenician Bilingual in collaboration with Halet Çambel as Vol. II in 1999. Vol. III will present the Inscriptions of the Hittite Empire along with the newly discovered Iron Age inscriptions, thus completing the whole corpus. It will then make available to the scholarly world the Luwian language in its Hieroglyphic manifestation, which will be of importance to philologists and ancient historians alike." --Publisher's website.
AI Overview
The book "Corpus of Hieroglyphic Luwian Inscriptions: Volume III" by John David Hawkins is a comprehensive collection of inscriptions from the Hittite Empire and the Iron Age. Here is a detailed overview of the book:
Key Themes
- Historical Context: The book provides a historical context for the inscriptions, covering the period from the Hittite Empire (circa 1400-1200 B.C.) to the Iron Age (circa 1000-700 B.C.).
- Hieroglyphic Luwian Inscriptions: It focuses on the corpus of inscriptions written in Hieroglyphic Luwian, a script used by the Luwians, a people who lived in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages.
- Hittite Empire Inscriptions: The volume includes inscriptions from the Hittite Empire, which were a major power in the region during the Late Bronze Age. These inscriptions offer insights into the politics, culture, and daily life of the Hittites.
- Iron Age Inscriptions: The book also covers newly discovered inscriptions from the Iron Age, which provide a continuation of the historical narrative beyond the fall of the Hittite Empire. These inscriptions shed light on the transition period and the early Iron Age societies in Anatolia.
Plot Summary
The book is not a narrative in the classical sense but rather a scholarly collection and analysis of inscriptions. It includes:
- Transcriptions and Translations: Detailed transcriptions and translations of the inscriptions, allowing scholars to study the texts in their original form and in English.
- Historical and Cultural Context: Each inscription is placed within its historical and cultural context, providing a rich understanding of the societies that produced them.
- Commentary and Analysis: The volume includes commentary and analysis by John David Hawkins, which helps to interpret the inscriptions and their significance in the broader historical landscape.
Critical Reception
Given the academic nature of the book, there is no general public reception available. However, the book is highly regarded within the field of Assyriology and Hittite studies for its meticulous scholarship and comprehensive coverage of the subject matter. It is considered a valuable resource for researchers and scholars interested in ancient Anatolian cultures and languages.
Author
John David Hawkins is a renowned scholar in the field of Assyriology and Hittite studies. His work on Hieroglyphic Luwian inscriptions has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of ancient Anatolian cultures.
In summary, "Corpus of Hieroglyphic Luwian Inscriptions: Volume III" by John David Hawkins is a seminal work that provides a thorough examination of the inscriptions from the Hittite Empire and the Iron Age. It is a crucial resource for scholars seeking to understand the historical and cultural contexts of these ancient civilizations.