I/24 HITTITE EMPIRE 1380 BC - 1180 BC

This list covers the Hittite empire of eastern Asia Minor from the accession of Suppiluliumas circa 1380 BC. Mitanni was acquired as a vassal state around 1348 BC and Syria around 1340 BC. The empire was crippled by the invasion of the Sea Peoples and then finished off by their old Gasgan enemies. At the battle of Kadesh in 1274 BC, the Hittite heavy 3-man chariots surprised the Egyptian and so were probably a recent innovation. They are depicted on Rameses II’s triumphal reliefs of the battle as manned by shieldless driver, shieldless spearman and shield-bearer. Only the king’s chariot is depicted with an archer or quiver, but earlier reliefs show these, so the reason for their absence is probably the routine Egyptian denigration of an opponent, though the use of the spears from chariots does seem to have been emphasised. The army also still had light Syrian and Anatolian chariots. Hittite infantry at Kadesh are depicted in deep rectangular blocks. Those depicted with long spears (often used two-handed) and sometimes shields and labelled as teheru “elite troops” are thought to be Hittites, those with short spear in one hand, sword in the other and no shield to be Syrian. References: Armies of the Ancient Near East N. Stillman & N. Tallis, Slingshot 120, 121, 122, 273, Hittite Warrior T. Bryce.

I/24a — Early Hittite Imperial Army 1380 BC - 1275 BC

List: 1 x General in 2 -horse 2 crew chariot (LCh), 3 x 2-horse 2-crew chariots (LCh), 4 x Hittite spearmen (3Pk), 2 x Anatolian or Syrian spearmen (3Ax), 1 x archers or slingers (Ps), 1 x vassals (7Hd or Ps)
Terrain: Arable
Aggression: 2
Enemies:
Allies: I/19

I/24b — Later Hittite Imperial Army 1274 BC - 1180 BC

List: 1 x General in 2-horse 3crew chariot (HCh), 1 x 2-horse 3-crew chariot (HCh), 2 x 2-horse 2-crew chariots (LCh), 4 x Hittite spearmen (3Pk), 2 x Anatolian or Syrian spearmen (3Ax), 1 x archers or slingers (Ps), 1 x vassals (7Hd or Ps)
Terrain: Arable
Aggression: 2
Enemies: