The solar deities of bronze age Anatolia

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Solar deities are significant figures in the Hittite pantheon, derived from various Anatolian and Syro-Mesopotamian traditions. These deities, encompassing both Sun-gods and -goddesses, exhibit diverse attributes and symbolize celestial and chthonic realms. However, the sources, primarily in Hittite and other languages, often fail to differentiate these deities through proper names or distinct logograms. Previous analyses have relied on questionable methodologies and weak assumptions. This study introduces a fresh approach that combines diachronic and typological criteria while considering the cultural context of the source texts. This methodology yields a functional description of the sub-types of solar deities linked to Hittite cult practices, mythological traditions, pantheon conceptualization, and the ideology of kingship. By examining Old and Middle Hittite texts, the research highlights the innovation and continuity of solar deities in Hittite religious history. A model is proposed to explain the coexistence of these deities within the religion of a major Bronze Age civilization. Additionally, by analyzing all text genres from the early Hittite kingdom, this work serves as a comprehensive compendium of sources related to Hittite solar deities and the formative period of Hittite religion.