Different Types of Sacrifices and Offerings in The Hittite Religion

In the Hittite society, belief influenced and dominated every aspect of daily life. Hittites believed that the means of maintaining the existing system or preventing a chaotic environment depended on complying with the rules imposed by their supernatural powers/gods. In view of this, it was necessary for them to be in constant communication with the existences they classified as sacred. In the relationship between the gods and humans, the main duty of the individual was showing great respect, and being a good servant to the existence he worshipped. On the other hand, in return the god/gods would meet certain needs of the people and protect them. Offerings played a major role in the relationship between both sides. The sacrifices/offerings presented to the gods acted as a kind of bond in this relationship. Sacrifices were divided into two groups, blood sacrifices and bloodless offerings. In the category of blood sacrifices there were animal and occasionally humans. In addition to food substances including grains, honey, wine, beer and bread (vegetation and libations), objects such as weapons, statues etc. were also included in the bloodless group of sacrifices. The offering of sacrifices was carried out for different purposes. Historians of religions and anthropologists generated various theories regarding the offering rituals and divided these into different categories: Gift offerings (for example votive, gratitude, firstfruit offerings), communion sacrifices/offerings (sacred meal), and guilt offerings (expiation, purification etc.) It appears from documents obtained from Hittite archives that the sacrifice rituals were performed with great devotion and in the framework of a certain program. Similarly, the time or place of the sacrifice was not determined randomly. The animal, substance or object to be offered was selected in accordance with the purposes mentioned. In this study, the objective was to explain the function and importance of sacrifice in the Hittite belief. In addition, providing examples of the sacrifices and offerings, and understanding in which situations these were performed were among the aims of this study. In the study, certain examples were given from the Hittite written sources, and an attempt was made to interpret these documents.