At the end of the 19th century, explorers and archaeologists set off in search of past civilizations.
In 1834, Charles Texier and later Archibald Henry Sayce explore Anatolia and unearth traces of an unknown civilization. They discovered enigmatic scenes engraved on rocks at the site of Yazılıkaya and numerous remains in the city of Hattusa. Thanks to Bedrich Hrozný's deciphering of the cuneiform tablets found at these sites, a vanished civilization was brought to light, that of the Hittites.
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At the end of the 19th century, explorers and archaeologists set off in search of past civilizations.
In 1834, Charles Texier and later Archibald Henry Sayce explore Anatolia and unearth traces of an unknown civilization. They discovered enigmatic scenes engraved on rocks at the site of Yazılıkaya and numerous remains in the city of Hattusa. Thanks to Bedrich Hrozný's deciphering of the cuneiform tablets found at these sites, a vanished civilization was brought to light, that of the Hittites.
At the end of the 19th century, explorers and archaeologists set off in search of past civilizations.
In 1834, Charles Texier and later Archibald Henry Sayce explore Anatolia and unearth traces of an unknown civilization. They discovered enigmatic scenes engraved on rocks at the site of Yazılıkaya and numerous remains in the city of Hattusa. Thanks to Bedrich Hrozný's deciphering of the cuneiform tablets found at these sites, a vanished civilization was brought to light, that of the Hittites.
But who were these Hittites? What was remarkable about their civilization, what were their religions? And what relationship did they have with the other kingdoms of antiquity? These are just some of the topics that the MOOC "To the Discovery of Hittite Civilization" will introduce you to.
An international team of researchers - historians, philologists, linguists and art historians - will bring their expertise to host these sessions. The five episodes of this free online course will cover, among other topics, the languages, history and iconography of this ancient kingdom. The lessons will be combined with exercises that will enable participants to assess the knowledge they have gradually acquired on the subject.
This MOOC is part of the Ancient Languages program at Sorbonne University (ELASU). It will enable you to expand your knowledge and discover a part of history that has long been ignored.
The MOOC comprises 15 films, each 10 to 18 minutes long, spread over 5 sessions. The series was created by Alice Mouton and Isabelle Prieto, with the participation of Vincent Blanchard, Francesco Giannone, Amir Gilan, and Sylvie Vanséveren.
52 exercises spread over the 5 sessions will enable learners to test their knowledge and prepare them for the final exam (for those wishing to obtain certification).
With the support of the Laboratoire Orient et Méditerranée UMR 8167 of the CNRS and the Service Informatique pour la Pédagogie et la Recherche of Sorbonne University.
What you'll learn
In the 19th century, the Hittites were virtually unknown to the learned world. In the first session, we will look at how great scholars discovered the Hittite civilization and how texts from this civilization were deciphered. Indeed, Hittite Anatolia has yielded thousands of written testimonies. In the second session, you will be able to explore all the richness of the languages and scripts of these testimonies. It is also thanks to the discovery of Hittite tablets that the history of this powerful kingdom will gradually take shape before our eyes. The third session will be devoted to the highlights of this history. Through the study of Hittite texts, we will also discover that messengers often played the role of spies when visiting the court of a foreign king. This will be the focus of the fourth session, which will also be an opportunity to enrich our exploration of Hittite history. Finally, in the fifth session, the various archaeological testimonies will be examined for their iconography. Iconography is very often religious in nature, and will provide us with information on the deities worshipped by the Hittites.
What's inside
Syllabus
Week 1 – History of discovery (Alice MOUTON )
Week 2 – Languages and scripts of Hittite Anatolia (Sylvie VANSEVEREN )
Week 3 – History of the Hittite kingdom (Amir GILAN’s text narrated by Alice MOUTON)
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Syllabus
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Activities
Review Ancient History Terminology
Show steps
Review background concepts and terminology related to ancient civilizations to reinforce your understanding of course materials
Browse courses on
Ancient History
Show steps
-
Compile a list of key terms and concepts
-
Create flashcards or a study guide to test your understanding
Explore Online Resources on Hittite Civilization
Show steps
Explore online resources to supplement your learning and gain a deeper understanding of Hittite civilization
Show steps
-
Visit the official websites of museums, research institutions, and universities that specialize in ancient Anatolia
-
Follow online courses or lectures on Hittite history, culture, and language
-
Join online forums or discussion groups to engage with other learners and experts
Gather Resources on Hittite Culture
Show steps
Compile a collection of resources to deepen your knowledge of Hittite culture and history
Show steps
-
Search online databases and libraries for books, articles, and documentaries
-
Organize the resources into a digital or physical collection
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Discuss Hittite History and Culture
Show steps
Engage in discussions with classmates to exchange knowledge, clarify concepts, and gain diverse perspectives on Hittite civilization
Show steps
-
Form study groups or online discussion forums with classmates
-
Prepare discussion topics based on course materials or additional research
-
Actively participate in discussions, share insights, and ask questions
Practice Reading Hittite Cuneiform
Show steps
Practice deciphering and translating Hittite cuneiform texts to improve your comprehension of Hittite language and history
Show steps
-
Find online tools or textbooks with Hittite cuneiform exercises
-
Start with simple texts and gradually increase the difficulty level
-
Check your answers against provided keys or consult with experts for feedback
Read 'The Hittites: The Story of a Forgotten Empire' by Trevor Bryce
Show steps
Read a comprehensive historical account of the Hittite civilization to deepen your understanding of its rise, decline, and legacy
View
Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Obtain the book from a library or online retailer
-
Read the book attentively, taking notes and highlighting key points
-
Reflect on the author's perspectives and compare them with the materials covered in the course
Develop a Presentation on Hittite Iconography
Show steps
Create a presentation to demonstrate your understanding of the significance and symbolism of Hittite iconography
Show steps
-
Gather images and information about Hittite art and iconography from the course materials and external sources
-
Analyze the images and identify common themes, symbols, and motifs
-
Organize your presentation into a logical structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion
-
Use visual aids and clear explanations to communicate your findings effectively
-
Present your findings to classmates or a wider audience, if possible
Write a Research Paper on a Specific Aspect of Hittite Civilization
Show steps
Conduct research and write a paper to demonstrate your expertise in a specific aspect of Hittite civilization
Show steps
-
Choose a research topic that interests you and aligns with the course content
-
Conduct thorough research using primary and secondary sources
-
Analyze your findings, draw conclusions, and develop a thesis statement
-
Write a well-structured research paper, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion
-
Proofread and edit your paper carefully before submitting it for review
Review Ancient History Terminology
Show steps
Review background concepts and terminology related to ancient civilizations to reinforce your understanding of course materials
Browse courses on
Ancient History
Show steps
- Compile a list of key terms and concepts
- Create flashcards or a study guide to test your understanding
Explore Online Resources on Hittite Civilization
Show steps
Explore online resources to supplement your learning and gain a deeper understanding of Hittite civilization
Show steps
- Visit the official websites of museums, research institutions, and universities that specialize in ancient Anatolia
- Follow online courses or lectures on Hittite history, culture, and language
- Join online forums or discussion groups to engage with other learners and experts
Gather Resources on Hittite Culture
Show steps
Compile a collection of resources to deepen your knowledge of Hittite culture and history
Show steps
- Search online databases and libraries for books, articles, and documentaries
- Organize the resources into a digital or physical collection
Discuss Hittite History and Culture
Show steps
Engage in discussions with classmates to exchange knowledge, clarify concepts, and gain diverse perspectives on Hittite civilization
Show steps
- Form study groups or online discussion forums with classmates
- Prepare discussion topics based on course materials or additional research
- Actively participate in discussions, share insights, and ask questions
Practice Reading Hittite Cuneiform
Show steps
Practice deciphering and translating Hittite cuneiform texts to improve your comprehension of Hittite language and history
Show steps
- Find online tools or textbooks with Hittite cuneiform exercises
- Start with simple texts and gradually increase the difficulty level
- Check your answers against provided keys or consult with experts for feedback
Read 'The Hittites: The Story of a Forgotten Empire' by Trevor Bryce
Show steps
Read a comprehensive historical account of the Hittite civilization to deepen your understanding of its rise, decline, and legacy
View
Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the...
on Amazon
Show steps
- Obtain the book from a library or online retailer
- Read the book attentively, taking notes and highlighting key points
- Reflect on the author's perspectives and compare them with the materials covered in the course
Develop a Presentation on Hittite Iconography
Show steps
Create a presentation to demonstrate your understanding of the significance and symbolism of Hittite iconography
Show steps
- Gather images and information about Hittite art and iconography from the course materials and external sources
- Analyze the images and identify common themes, symbols, and motifs
- Organize your presentation into a logical structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion
- Use visual aids and clear explanations to communicate your findings effectively
- Present your findings to classmates or a wider audience, if possible
Write a Research Paper on a Specific Aspect of Hittite Civilization
Show steps
Conduct research and write a paper to demonstrate your expertise in a specific aspect of Hittite civilization
Show steps
- Choose a research topic that interests you and aligns with the course content
- Conduct thorough research using primary and secondary sources
- Analyze your findings, draw conclusions, and develop a thesis statement
- Write a well-structured research paper, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion
- Proofread and edit your paper carefully before submitting it for review
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