From the Fruitful Field to the Dark Earth: An approach to Landscape across Hittite Myths

ROMINA DELLA CASA

Estambul

Simposio; RCAC Mini-Symposium: Space-time continuum: House to landscape, past to present.; 2014

Koç University's Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations (RCAC)

From the Fruitful Field to the Dark Earth: An approach to Landscape across Hittite Myths The present analysis focuses on the Hittite ?myths of the vanishing gods?, and specifically, on the departure of the Hittite Mother-goddess Hannahanna. The several copies and versions available of this myth refer essentially to the magical procedures used to appease the goddess and gain her good will back to the King, the Queen and the Land of Hatti. During such practices it can be observed that there is a particular use and perception of the landscape surroundings. Accordingly, the main goal of this lecture is to analyze: How did the Hittites experienced their landscape according to the myths? And which were the main features of the Hittite environment that can be detected in Hannahanna?s myth? To approach such interrogations a theoretical framework based on the analysis of religious symbols will be used.