9 Building for King and Country: Architecture as a Symbol of the Hittite Empire

Tür:

Kitap Bölümü

Yazar:

Andreas Schachner

Yayın yılı:

2022

Yayıncı:

De Gruyter

Since the beginning of the study of Hittite culture, architecture has played a central role. While the focus has long been on a typological-descriptive approach to inventory the findings, the potential for understanding the development of social structures has long remained untapped. The changes in the built environment show how the establishment of the Hittite dynasty brought about changes in social organization and economic processes in Central Anatolia. This is particularly visible in the introduction of new and indigenous ground plans, which codified the social behaviors associated with them far beyond their formative phase, thus contributing significantly to identity formation and the creation of social cohesion. Thus, the findings demonstrate the function of state-sponsored Hittite architecture within the framework of the state’s exercise of power. However, it is noteworthy that Hittite state culture and architecture was apparently unable to fundamentally change the longue durée of cultural development in Central Anatolia. For this was molded by geography and thus offered limited possibilities for change.

Künye/erişim: kaynak bağlantısı