Luwians facts for kids

The Luwians (sometimes called Luvians) were an ancient people who lived in a region called Anatolia. This area is now part of modern-day Turkey. They were closely related to the Hittites, another powerful ancient group. The Luwians spoke a language that was part of the Indo-European family, which means it was related to many languages spoken today, like English and Spanish. Around 2300 BCE, the Luwians settled in the southern part of Anatolia.

Who Were the Luwians?

The Luwians were an important group in ancient Anatolia. They were closely connected to the Hittites, who built a large empire in the region. The Luwians were so important that they became the main group in the culture that came after the Hittite Empire. This period is often called the Late Hittite period.

Their History in Anatolia

The Luwians arrived in Anatolia sometime after 2300 BCE. They settled in the southern parts of this large peninsula. Over time, their influence grew. Even after the powerful Hittite Empire ended around 1200 BCE, the Luwians continued to thrive. They formed many smaller kingdoms and city-states across Anatolia and northern Syria.

Luwian Language

The Luwian language was a key part of their identity. It was an Indo-European language, just like the language spoken by the Hittites. Luwian was written using two main systems:

• Cuneiform: This was a writing system using wedge-shaped marks, borrowed from Mesopotamia.
• Hieroglyphic Luwian: This was a unique system using pictures, similar to Egyptian hieroglyphs. Many inscriptions in this script have been found on monuments and rocks.

Luwian Kingdoms After the Hittites

After the collapse of the Hittite Empire, many independent Luwian states appeared. These states are sometimes called "Neo-Hittite" or "Syro-Hittite" states. They kept many Hittite traditions but also developed their own unique Luwian culture. These kingdoms were important centers of trade and culture for several centuries. They often interacted, and sometimes fought, with other groups like the Arameans and later the Assyrians.

Images for kids

• 

  Luwian storm god Tarḫunz in the National Museum of Aleppo.

• 

  Statue from the Post-Hittite period, representing king Šuppiluliuma, ruler of the Luwian state of Pattin (Unqi)

• 

  Various Luwian (Post-Hittite) and Aramean (orange shades) states in the 8th century BCE