The geography of Anatolia in the period of the Hittites

ABSTRACTPınar Bülbül (Yaman)THE GEOGRAPHY OF ANATOLIA IN THE PERIOD OF THE HITTITESAs it known, the Hittites founded a great civilization in Anatolia in the 2nd milleniumB.C. In this geography, many countries which were protected their political existence in avery long time, were presented.Among these countries The Arzava Countries which were located to southwestAnatolia, were occuring countries that were dependent to Hittite State and its neighbours.These countries respectively: Arzava, Hapalla, Mira-Kuvalya, Şeha River Country, Appaviya,Viluşa, Zippaşla ve Harriyati Hilly Country.Many researchers consensus that The Lower Country was among Arzava, TuvanuvaDomain and Konya Plain-Tuz Lake. For this reason Lower Country functioned as a defenceregion from Arzava that was in southwest of Anatolia and other rebeliable vasal states inwest. With this purpose, Lower Country had been a region where an army headquarter wasset up.A buffer zone called Upper Country had lied from Upper Kızılırmak to Euphrates.And Upper Country?s administrative and religious center was Samuha. This zone was onKızılırmak for some researchers but some of the others thought it was on Euphrates. Thiszone maybe today?s Divriği or near it.In Upper Country The Azzi-Hayaşi Country that was located to East Anatolia andaround today?s Elazığ, The Işşuva Country which was located south of Fırat River?s branchcalled Murat Stream had presented.Between Upper Hillside?s of Toros and Upper Euphrates, today?s Çukurova, there wasKizzuvatna Kingdom. This region was functioning as a buffer zone among Hittites, Hurri-Mitanni and North Syria.In today?s Black Sea Domain, Gaşkas that were ready at any time to rebellion andattack to Hittites, were located. Gaşkas was not living in certain region of Black Sea Domain.They spreaded almost all region as dispersed clans.Along Northwest Anatolia beach, that is South coast of Marmara Sea, The AşşuvaCountry existed. Masa-Karkisa Country existed near the same region.