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EPIC 40 000
HITTITES
The Hittite Empire was founded in about 1680 BCE. At its height it covered most of modern day Turkey and Syria. Recent achaelogical work has revealed much about the Hittites. During the 1970's and 1980's new information flooded the academic literature, as each new pot or set of laws was displayed and examined in exhaustive detail. Wargaming magazines were saturated with information as well, which has caused many wargamers of the time to become somewhat hostile to "yet more H*tt*tes".
The figures in the Hittite army shown here are Essex 15mm miniatures painted by Gareth Roberts, who was doing a classics degree at the time. Much swearing and cursing was to be heard during their painting and assembly. The model chariots were particulary awkward and it's a tight squeeze to fit 3 crew into the chariot body. The spears of the chariot crew were cut away and replaced with 0.5mm width steel for extra strength.
The main strength of the army are the Hittite 3-crew Chariots, classed as Knight(O) in DBM. The Hittite Spearmen classed as Auxilia(X), can be effective in numbers and in depth, but are usually best kept to the rear. The Syrian vassal troops include 2-crew chariots (driver and armoured archer) classed as Cavalry(S). The Syrians also supply poor quality Archers and Javelinmen, classed as Bow(I) and Psiloi(I) respectively, which help to boost numbers. The army also includes an Anatolian ally of 2-crew chariots (driver and spearman) classed as Cavalry(O), and some light infantry classed as Auxilia(O) and Psiloi(O).
HITTITE FACT FILE
(Items of interest about Hittites)
1. Girly Locks; The clean shaven appearance and long ponytails that were Hittite custom, led to them being known as 'Effeminate Ones' by the ancient Egyptians.
2. Spare me the details; Archaeologists have recovered extensive codified Hittite laws. Amongst other things, these specify the death penalty for Hittite citizens found initiating intimate relations with cattle, sheep, dogs and pigs. However in the same clause it is specified that for getting close and personal with horses and mules 'there is no punishment', and although an 'ox which springs upon a man' is to be put to death, a pig goes unpunished for the same act. Another law varies the fine for stealing a Hittite citizens' chariot wheels, according to whether one or both wheels are stolen, and whether the thief is a citizen or a slave.
3. Military bureaucracy gone mad; Here is an extract from a Hittite military drill manuel, on the subject of bodily functions:
4. In Gods bad books; God certainly isn't love when it comes to Hittites, here's an extract from the book of Deuteronomy (20:16,17) in the Bible:
'And a guard shall not go outside at will. If a bodily urge bothers him, he will walk behind all the other guards and will say to the guard in front: "I shall go to the pot". And that man will pass the word to another guard, and he to a man of 3rd rank, but the man of 3rd rank will tell it to one of the second rank, and he will pass it to the commander-of-ten. If the chief-of-guards is present, then the commander-of-ten will tell it to him saying "He will go to the pot", and the chief-of-guards will say "Let him go!' 'But if the man wishes to pass a stool instead...'
"thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee:"