Location Located south of the Black Sea and east of the Mediterranean, the Hittite Empire, known as the land of Hattusa, is large and diverse. It covers the entire area now known as Turkey and stretches down to the borders of Assyria in the Arabian Peninsula. It is the single largest territory under one ruler in the world of Aeipathy and arguably the most powerful. Maps Historical Age The Hittite empire has ruled the lands of the Anatolian plains since 1142 BC when Jurah Teminu Hittite married the last descendant of the Hurrian line. Though independently ruled since 1750 BC these lands have only been known as "Hattusa" for the last two hundred years. This makes it the youngest empire in Aeipathy but its success in military campaigns and a strong political foundation have seen it grow faster than most. Originally focused on central Anatolia, the new Hittite Empire united the old Hurrian territories from the western straits to the borders of Assyria in its Great Expansion (1134 - 1020 BC).

Population The population of Hattusa is incredibly low when compared to its size, due to large areas of the empire being relatively inhospitable. Cities and towns are large, bustling hubs of activity but often situated days, if not weeks, apart. That being said, Hattusa's capital is the largest city in the known world and its neighbouring settlements are built on a similar scale, making Hattusa one of the most highly populated lands on Aeipathy, even if the land to people ratio is less than elsewhere.

Most settlements in Hattusa are incredibly old, due to the difficulty in creating new ones. Many buildings are carved from rock-faces or built with stone that was once transported vast distances. Whilst new towns are not impossible, building something that lasts is difficult in such a large region, so most cities stand where they always have. This includes those that were taken from Assyria or neighbouring lands in the Great Expansion period. Many settlements in Hattusa were once the territory of other nations and the citizens within their walls once ruled by other kings including those of Hatti, Hurrian, Persian, Syrian and Canaanite origin. On occasion this creates rebellious tension or argument but, more generally, it has formed a diverse nation of overlapping opinions, religions and personal identity. Hattusa is a land of multiple worlds and populaces living peacefully under a single, prosperous rule. Most people born of differing origins consider themselves both Hittite and a member of their birth culture.

Size and Travel LatitudeFrom the far western border at the Bosphorus (now known as the Turkish or Istanbul Strait) to the borders of the Assyrian empire.

	Walking	Horseback / Chariot
Single Traveller	2.5 months	4 weeks
Small Group	3.5 months	5.5 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	4 months	7 weeks

LongitudeFrom the coastlines of the Black Sea to the eastern curve of the Mediterranean and Phoenician border.

	Walking	Horseback / Chariot
Single Traveller	4 weeks	2 weeks
Small Group	6 weeks	3 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	2 months	4 weeks

Between CitiesHattusa has three major city hubs: Hattusa, Carchemish and Kizzuwatna.

	Walking	Horseback / Chariot
Hattusa <> Carchemish
Single Traveller	3 weeks	10 days
Small Group	5 weeks	13 days
Large Group / Convoy	6.5 weeks	4 weeks
Hattusa <> Kizzuwatna
Single Traveller	2.5 weeks	8 days
Small Group	4 weeks	11 days
Large Group / Convoy	6 weeks	2 weeks
Carchemish <> Kizzuwatna
Single Traveller	1.5 weeks	5 days
Small Group	2.5 weeks	7 days
Large Group / Convoy	4 weeks	12 days

SeafareHattusa is a single, large landmass sitting on the coast of the Black Sea to the north. It shares half of its southern border with the Mediterranean. To travel from the the far west of the empire at the Bosphorus to the northern border as far east as it is possible to go, via the Black Sea would take 2 weeks. To journey from the Bosphorus to Phoenicia's western coastline to the south would take 1 week.

	By Sea
Hattusa <> Carchemish	Unnecessary
Hattusa <> Kizzuwatna	Unnecessary
Carchemish <> Kizzuwatna	5 days by ship from Kizzuwatna then 1 day by land to Carchemish.

International Travel AssyriaLying to the east of Hattusa, Assyria can be reached by land, or by sea and then land for a faster route (if journeying from the far western coast). Given the capital Hattusa lies in the centre of the empire, land travel is the fastest way from the city to reach the Assyrian border.

	Walking	Horseback / Chariot
From Hattusa
Single Traveller	3.5 weeks	12 days
Small Group	6 weeks	2.5 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	2 months	4 weeks
From Carchemish
Single Traveller	5 days	2 days
Small Group	7 days	5 days
Large Group / Convoy	13 days	10 days
From Kizzuwatna
Single Traveller	4 weeks	12 days
Small Group	6 weeks	2.5 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	2 months	5 weeks

	By Sea
From Hattusa	Unnecessary
From Carchemish	Unnecessary
From Kizzuwatna	5 days by ship from Kizzuwatna then same land journey times for Carchemish + 1 day.

BabyloniaBabylonia is to the far east of the Aeipathy world, and one must pass through Assyria by land to reach it. Assyria can be reached by land, or by sea and then land, for a faster route (if journeying from the far western coast of Hattusa). After this, the journey must be made on land between Assyria and Babylonia. Given the capital Hattusa lies in the centre of the empire, land travel is the fastest way from the city to reach the Assyrian border.

	By Land		By Sea
All Travellers	From Hattusa, a traveller must reach the Assyrian border (see above), then cross the latitude of Assyria to Babylonia (see the Size and Travel section of Assyria's Land page for distance / times. Add these two calculations together for a total travel time.		Unnecessary

Bedoa'mtBedoa'mt lies in the north of the African continent. Travellers can make a direct sea voyage from the southern coast of Hattusa to the northern coast of Bedoa'mt, across the Mediterranean Sea. If a ship is unavailable, land travel is possible but this would take excessive time and money. It would be an unwise journey unless other opportunities were utilised along the way (such as trade).

	By Land		By Sea
All Travellers	Calculate the total time by combining: the travel time to reach Assyria's border (above), the time to cross the longitude of Assyria (in the Size and Travel section of Assyria's Land page) and Phoenicia (in the Size and Travel section of Phoenicia's Land page), to the K'm't border and the time to cross the latitude of K'm't to the Bedoa'mt border (in the Size and Travel section of K'm't's Land page).		3 weeks

HellasHellas lies to the west of Hattusa in the Aegean Sea, the north-eastern portion of the Mediterranean. Whilst it is technically possible to reach the Athenian kingdom of the Hellenes over land (via the Bosphorus strait and then around the Aegean coastline) this is entirely impractical. To reach Hellas, all travellers would sail.

	By Land		By Sea
From Hattusa	All voyages to Hellas would begin on the eastern coast. As Hattusa is in the centre of the nation, add half of the journey time across the latitude of Hattusa (above) to the sailing estimate to the right.		From Arzawa To Athenia: 3 days To Colchis: 1 day To Taengea: 1 day
From Carchemish	All voyages to Hellas would begin on the eastern coast. As Carchemish is on the eastern border add the journey time across the latitude of Hattusa (above) to the sailing estimate to the right.		From Arzawa To Athenia: 3 days To Colchis: 1 day To Taengea: 1 day
From Kizzuwatna	Kizzuwatna is on the coast and requires no land travel.		From Kizzuwatna To Athenia: 7 days To Colchis: 9 days To Taengea: 5 days

K'm'tIn the north-east of the African continent lies K'm't. Travellers can make a direct sea voyage from the southern coast of Hattusa to the northern coast of K'm't, across the Mediterranean Sea. If a ship is unavailable, land travel is possible but this would take more time and money. It would be an unwise journey unless other opportunities were utilised along the way (such as trade).

	By Land		By Sea
All Travellers	Calculate the total time of a land journey by combining: the travel time to reach Assyria's border (above), the time to cross the longitude of Assyria (in the Size and Travel section of Assyria's Land page) and Phoenicia (in the Size and Travel section of Phoenicia's Land page) to the K'm't border.		2 weeks

OstjörðOstjörð monopolises the north-western corner of the European continent. The easiest way to reach their lands is by crossing the Bosphorus strait (trade and travel arrangements are likely to take a day to pass through) and then cutting directly across Europe. Alternatively, travellers can sail around the entirety of the continent in order to land on the opposing western coast. Calculations below are made from the Bosphorus.

	Walking	Horseback / Chariot
Single Traveller	2 months	4 weeks
Small Group	3.5 months	6 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	4.5 months	2 months

	By Sea
All Travellers	2 months

PhoeniciaPhoenicia lies on the other side of the Assyrian territories. To reach it by land, one must first reach Assyria then pass through to the Phoenician border. Alternatively, you can sail from Hattusa's southern coast (from Kizzuwatna) to Phoenicia's western shore.

	By Land		By Sea
All Travellers	Calculate time of travel by combining the time to reach Assyria's border (above) with the time to cross Assyria's longitude (in the Size and Travel section of Assyria's Land page).		9 days

RomaOccupying most of modern day Italy, Austria, Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia and parts of Albania and Spain, travel times vary for Roma depending on which area is your destination. Any can be reached by land, sea or a combination of the two.

	Walking	Horseback / Chariot
To Remusi Lands
Single Traveller	3.5 weeks	12 days
Small Group	6 weeks	2.5 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	2 months	4 weeks
To Netuno Lands
Single Traveller	2 months	1 month
Small Group	3.5 months	6 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	4.5 months	2 months
To Mainland Roma
Single Traveller	3 months	6 weeks
Small Group	5 months	9 weeks
Large Group / Convoy	6.5 months	3 months
To Cassia Lands
Single Traveller	Seafare required
Small Group
Large Group / Convoy
To Cannae's Western Lands
Single Traveller	4 months	2 months
Small Group	7 months	3 months
Large Group / Convoy	9 months	4 months

	By Sea
To Remusi Lands	Add 2 days land travel to time it takes to reach Athenia in Hellas (above).
To Netuno Lands	Sail for 9 days after reaching Remusi lands.
To Mainland Roma	Sail for 2 days after reaching Remusi lands.
To Cassia Lands	1 month from Hattusa. Or, sail for 1 day after reaching Roma Mainland.
To Cannae's Western Lands	5 weeks from Hattusa. Or, sail for 8 days after reaching Cassia lands.

Climate Coastal regions, closer to sea level, enjoy milder climates similar to the Hellas states across the Mediterranean. The larger portion of Hattusa's territory, however, is inland; surrounding the capital and sheltered by higher altitudes and mountainous plateaus. High altitude causes more extreme seasons and very little rainfall.

	Referred to As		Climate / Weather
Spring	The Rainy Season		Hattusa has little rainfall but most cities have naturally occurring springs that fill during the rainy season due to fresh water runoff from nearby mountains. Spring is also the time of hopeful growth to see which seedlings have survived beneath the winter snow.
Summer	The Dry Season		Summers are incredibly hot and dusty. Not to the same temperatures as Bedoa'mt but just as dry. Most labour hours change during this season so that workers remain indoors during the hottest hours of the day. Harvest is collected earlier than other lands, before the heat can become too extreme and choke the annual crop.
Autumn	Season of the Wind		The most fertile and comfortable time of year, autumn provides the wind necessary for forges to heat iron ore. Gales and dry storms are common. As iron is Hattusa's greatest monopoly in the known world, the season of the wind is greeted with much joy, and hard work as fresh seeds are planted for next year's harvest.
Winter	Season of the Earth		Due to its altitude, Hattusa has relatively heavy snow in the winter. Heat becomes important and, with a lack of naturally occurring timber, Hattusa becomes more reliant on its long-distance merchants and international trade routes for fuel and food.

Settlements Due to much of its land being too dry / dusty to sustain large settlements, the majority of Hittites live within larger cities instead of small towns and villages. Each province of Hattusa is a town or city and is often found in clusters instead of spread out. Any land between these settlements is used by local residents but actually managed by the crown, not the local antuhsas. The three major strongholds of the empire are Hattusa, Carchemish and Kizzuwatna.

West Arzawa

Central Hattusa Alinna Ankuwa Kanesh Usakli Hoyuk

North Nerik Alaca Hoyuk Sapinuwa Samuha

South Kizzuwatna Atuna Karatepe

East Carchemish Tynna

Alaca Hoyuk

AntuhsaOpen
Population11,800
Military SpecialismMounted archery, Fort / City defence, Vanguard exploration.
Main ExportGold and jewel work.
Sub-ExportFaience, glassware, sculpture, pottery.

Alinna

Antuhsa'talla (Tahurna)
Population21,200
Military SpecialismLarge-scale infantry, Small-scale incursion, Fort / City defence.
Main ExportIron.
Sub-ExportWeaponry, bronze work, carpentry. Ankuwa

AntuhsaOpen
Population24,300
Military SpecialismLarge-scale infantry, Large-scale archery, Mounted archery.
Main ExportFabric.
Sub-ExportAle, barley, craftworks, carpentry, silks, jewellery. Arzawa

Antuhsa'talla (Tudanta)
Population29,900
Military SpecialismLarge-scale infantry, Message runners.
Main ExportTrade taxes.
Sub-ExportEverything. Atuna

AntuhsaOpen
Population19,100
Military SpecialismMounted archery, Vanguard exploration, Espionage training.
Main ExportFlour.
Sub-ExportGrain, wheat, barley, bergamots, fowl meat. Carchemish

Antuhsa'talla (Ammuna)
Population35,100
Military SpecialismLarge-scale infantry, Large-scale charioteers, Small-scale incursion, Fort / City defence.
Main ExportOlive and nut oils.
Sub-ExportFabrics, crafts, spices, nuts, olives, bergamots, fruits. Hattusa

AntuhsaNone - Capital City
Population47,900
Military SpecialismLarge-scale infantry, Large-scale archery, Large-scale charioteers, Fort / City defence, Espionage training.


ExportsEverything barring maritime produce. Kanesh

AntuhsaOpen
Population22,400
Military SpecialismLarge-scale charioteers, Message runners.
Main ExportFlour.
Sub-ExportGrain, wheat, barley, fruits, nuts, oil. Karatepe

AntuhsaOpen
Population13,800
Military SpecialismSmall-scale incursion, Espionage training.
Main ExportSoldiers.
Sub-ExportWeaponry, armour, papyrus paper, ink. Kizzuwatna

Antuhsa'talla (Hantili)
Population24,600
Military SpecialismLarge-scale archery, Large-scale charioteers, Small-scale incursion, Message runners.
Main ExportFish.
Sub-ExportShellfish, iron ore (via Hellas), bronze, trade tax. Nerik

Antuhsa'talla (Zuziya)
Population19,900
Military SpecialismLarge-scale archery, Large-scale charioteers, Small-scale incursion, Message runners.
Main ExportLinen.
Sub-ExportFabrics, baskets, footwear, leatherwork, clay. Samuha

AntuhsaOpen
Population14,300
Military SpecialismSmall-scale incursion, Espionage training, Message runners.
Main ExportClay.
Sub-ExportMetalwork, fresh-water fish, game meat. Sapinuwa

Antuhsa (Suppilu)
Population10,100
Military SpecialismSmall-scale incursion, Fort / City defence, Vanguard exploration.
Main ExportGoldwork.
Sub-ExportFine goods, glassware, carvings and statuary. Tynna

AntuhsaOpen
Population16,700
Military SpecialismNo military legions.
Main ExportMedicinal herbs.
Sub-ExportNut oil, oranges, lemons.

Usaki Hoyuk

AntuhsaOpen
Population13,300
Military SpecialismMounted archery, Vanguard exploration, Espionage training.
Main ExportCandles.
Sub-ExportRope, oils: nut and olive, talismans.

Flora Flowers grow well in Hattusa during the rainy season, due to the flowing underwater springs. Their period of growth is short and so flowers are considered special and expensive luxuries. Local blooms include: tulips, crocuses, snowdrops, oleanders, fuchsias, hydrangeas, jasmines, wisterias and lilies. Only areas close to the northern or southern coast have the climate to grow these plants year round.

Common herbs able to be grown across the country include rosemary, thyme, oregano, lavender and juniper.

Trees and forestry account for just 25% of Hattusa's territory. Little of this is hard wood suitable for building, so instead it is used for botanical purposes. These species include: the olive tree, wild maple, sycamore, bay laurel, pistachio, turkish hazel, palm, lime, cypress and judas trees. These provide Hattusa's thriving oils, nuts and medicinal trade. There is a limited stock of oak and pine trees in Hattusa.

Fauna The mammals of Hattusa range from the common squirrels, shrews, rabbits, porcupines and field mice to bats, jackals, wildcats, wolves, hyenas, caracals, foxes and the occasional otter in wet areas. Gazelle, goats, deer and boars can also be found, both domesticated and wild. The asiatic lion, the caspian tiger and the brown bear are also present, but rare.

Attracted by Hattusa's warm temperatures, the empire is home to many cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians including snakes, lizards, salamanders, geckos and newts. There are rare sightings of tortoises, and turtles can be found in the Black Sea on Hattusa's north coast.

Hattusa is home to an expansive array of birds, including those hunted for their meat such as geese and pheasant (see below for the full list) and wilder aviary creatures including: buzzards, swifts, nightjays, coots, cranes, storks, hawks, eagles, kites, owls, falcons, kingfishers, shreeks, crows, larks, swallows, wrens and magpies. Closer to water sources are gulls, pelicans and herons. Flamingos and peacocks are sometimes kept as pets by the wealthy.

Natural Materials Fresh Water
Despite limited rainfall, fresh water is more or less plentiful in Hattusa, provided you are close to a source. Advanced construction, acqueducts and collection means provide citizens of all major cities with wells and man-made springs from which water can be fetched. Tall, large vases are most commonly used to fetch water, and for long journeys wax-treated hide sacks can carry small amounts without leaking. As it is common to fetch water at the beginning of the day, small crowds often form around wells and springs, turning a simple task into a daily, communal event. Alongside fruit juice and goat's milk, water is the most common drink in Hattusa.
Crops
Wheat and barley grow across Hattusa, but mainly towards the north and west of the empire. Many fortified cities are reliant on the delivery of wheat and barley, pre-ground and ready for baking use. When trade routes are compromised, these resources are usually the first to diminish. Otherwise, most enjoy ample supply. The grain is rarely baked into loafs of fluffy bread but instead thin, soft and chewy pita-like discs eaten as side dishes to other meals.
Ore
Metal ore is plentiful in Hattusa. While they do not have the masses of gold enjoyed by Egypt or the bronze and jewels of Hellas, Hattusa have enough of each to supply their own demands. Meteorite iron and native or imported iron ore is Hattusa's greatest asset because they have the means by which to heat and forge iron. This is a unique ability across the Orient and civilised world and places Hattusa in a position of great power and jealousy.
Timber
Timber and hardwood is limited in Hattusa. There is enough to support their society in a pinch, but Hattusa turns to Assyria and the more forested lands of the fertile crescent for imported hardwood. Elm and maple can supply for crafts and homewares but when posts are needed for building construction, harder materials are necessary and must be sought from elsewhere.
Vegetables
General foodstuffs grow well in Hattusa. As wet soil is limited, root vegetables are not common, but chickpeas, lentils, nuts, and fruits provide the vitamins and minerals they might otherwise lack. Figs, apricaots, cherries, almonds, hazelnuts, lemons, oranges and bergamots all grow well in Hattusa's varied climate.
Meat
Commonly eaten domesticated meat in Hattusa includes: mutton, pork, venison and pheasant. In higher-class circles, birds like doves and starlings are also hunted and prepared for dining. Beef is more common on the western coast of the empire, where the Arzawan territories cultivate the zepu humped cow. Otherwise cows are not domesticated in Hattusa. Fish is also supremely common in cities near the coast such as Kizzuwatna, Nerik and Arzawa, but reserved for the wealthy in the capital.