Anitta (king)

Anitta (flourished 18th century BC, also spelled Anittas) was a king of Kussara, a city-state in ancient Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). He is considered one of the earliest known rulers to write a text in an Indo-European language, specifically Hittite.

Anitta is primarily known from the Anitta Text (CTH 1), a cuneiform inscription detailing his conquests and building projects. This text, while fragmentary, provides valuable insight into the political landscape of Anatolia during the Old Hittite Kingdom period.

According to the Anitta Text, Anitta conquered and destroyed Hattusa, the future capital of the Hittite Empire, and cursed the site, forbidding anyone from rebuilding it. He also conquered other cities, including Zalpuwa, and mentions his victories over various Anatolian rulers.

Anitta's reign marks a significant transition in Anatolian history, preceding the rise of the Hittite Empire under Hattusili I. He is often credited with laying the foundation for the subsequent Hittite expansion and consolidating power in the region. However, the extent of his kingdom and its influence remain a subject of scholarly debate. He is also known for importing donkeys, indicating trade networks of the time.