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Near Eastern Art :
Hittite Art : Syrio-Hittite Terracotta Fertility Goddess
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Syrio-Hittite Terracotta Fertility Goddess - PF.2157
Origin: Northern Syria
Circa: 2000
BC
to 1500
BC
Collection: Biblical
Medium: Terracotta
$6,000.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
The Hittite Empire emerged in central Anatolia
from fairly humble agricultural beginnings in the
2nd millennium BC, but by 1340 BC had become
the dominant power in Mesopotamia. The
expansion and consolidation of the empire saw
its greatest expression under King Suppiluliumas
I (c. 1380 -c. 1346 BC), who oversaw the
establishment of a firm Hittite foothold in Syria.
This was hotly contested territory, and while the
Egyptian behemoth had swept aside most
competition, they met extremely fierce
opposition from the Hittites. This struggle for
domination over Syria continued into the reign of
Muwatallis (c. 1320- 1294 B.C.), culminating in
the famous battle of Kadesh in 1299 BC.
Although Ramses II claimed a great victory, the
result was in fact probably more ambiguous. The
Egyptians were at a disadvantage in terms or
provisioning, and in terms of the great arms race
of the time over a great new invention: iron. In
any case, the Egyptians took considerable pains
to placate local groups, setting up socioeconomic
and matrimonial alliances with the Hittites and
the lands they now occupied. Although we know
comparatively little about Hittite civilisation, it is
perhaps significant that these shadowy
populations were such a fierce threat to what
was then the world's greatest civilization that
even Ramses the Great found it more beneficial
to be their ally rather than their foe.
The worship of the fertile female, goddesses of
nurturing and abundance, dates to the very dawn
of human culture. Whether called Astarte, Isis, or
Venus, this most essential of deities represents
something eternal in human existence. Centuries
ago, this abstract clay figure, sold outside some
temple complex, was offered as a votive to win
the favor of the goddess. We know little about
the pilgrim who made this simple gift, though
we can guess what he or she asked of the
goddess: a life of health, wealth and happiness.
As we hold this powerful little figure in our
hands today, we realize that the essential values
of human nature have changed little over time.
- (PF.2157)
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