In this episode of pplpod, we explore the lost world of the Hittites, a civilization once dismissed as a minor biblical footnote before archaeology revealed one of the great superpowers of the ancient Near East. From their capital at Hattusa in modern-day Turkey, the Hittites built a vast empire, preserved thousands of clay tablets, developed sophisticated laws, challenged Egypt, and helped shape the foundations of diplomacy, warfare, and governance.

This episode traces the rise, brilliance, and collapse of the Hittite Empire, from the discovery of 10,000 cuneiform tablets to the deciphering of their Indo-European language in 1915. We examine their early constitutional monarchy, practical legal system, use of economic restitution, biological warfare during plague, the Battle of Kadesh against Ramesses II, and the peace treaty that became on ...