The Hittites Period (The Second Millennium B.C.) Plague Epidemic in Anatolia

History of Anatolia in the second millennium B.C., it is seen as a period in which the relations with the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations are concentrated. The transfer of the Hittites to northern Syria and Babylon starting in Central Anatolia led to a mutual increase in the relations between the Mesopotamian region and the Egyptians who wanted to take care of their interests in this region. As a result of the economic, political, cultural interaction and the war between the Hittite-Egypt in the 14th century B.C., the epidemic mentioned at the Hittite cuneiform written documents started among the prisoners and lasted for almost 20 years, bringing about the death of many people including the Emperors as well. The plague epidemic accepted as the first epidemic in during the ancient time in the history of the world influenced Anatolia for a long time. Considering even today’s medical advances in the treatment of epidemics that are not sufficient enough, in second millennium B.C., the situation of medical developments in the treatment of epidemics and other diseases in Anatolia requires more careful evaluations. According to the information obtained from the Hittite cuneiform tablets, similar medical treatment methods were applied in medical field. It is also seen that doctors were requested from the neighboring countries in the presence or absence of them. However, it is understood that when there were no medical treatments for the epidemic diseases, they consulted certain ways such as praying and magic to get rid of the diseases. The inadequacy of medical advances led to the belief that the causes of diseases could be divine. The plague epidemic in ancient Anatolia is seen as an important case for the history of medicine, politics, religion and culture in terms of its affects.

Anahtar Kelimeler: Ancient Anatolia, Hittites, Epidemic, Plague

History of Anatolia in the second millennium B.C., it is seen as a period in which the relations with the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations are concentrated. The transfer of the Hittites to northern Syria and Babylon starting in Central Anatolia led to a mutual increase in the relations between the Mesopotamian region and the Egyptians who wanted to take care of their interests in this region. As a result of the economic, political, cultural interaction and the war between the Hittite-Egypt in the 14th century B.C., the epidemic mentioned at the Hittite cuneiform written documents started among the prisoners and lasted for almost 20 years, bringing about the death of many people including the Emperors as well. The plague epidemic accepted as the first epidemic in during the ancient time in the history of the world influenced Anatolia for a long time. Considering even today’s medical advances in the treatment of epidemics that are not sufficient enough, in second millennium B.C., the situation of medical developments in the treatment of epidemics and other diseases in Anatolia requires more careful evaluations. According to the information obtained from the Hittite cuneiform tablets, similar medical treatment methods were applied in medical field. It is also seen that doctors were requested from the neighboring countries in the presence or absence of them. However, it is understood that when there were no medical treatments for the epidemic diseases, they consulted certain ways such as praying and magic to get rid of the diseases. The inadequacy of medical advances led to the belief that the causes of diseases could be divine. The plague epidemic in ancient Anatolia is seen as an important case for the history of medicine, politics, religion and culture in terms of its affects.

Keywords: Ancient Anatolia, Hittites, Epidemic, Plague