The Hittites were a powerful empire that emerged from the city of Hattusa in modern-day Turkey during the Late Bronze Age. Their warriors were well-equipped professionals, hardened by life in the highlands and supplied by some of the finest armories of its age. The Hittite Kingdom challenged the reigning powers of Egypt and Assyria with a formidable force. The Hittite society was led by a supreme leader who acted as the top military commander, judicial authority, and high priest. Their powers were regulated by the earliest known constitutional monarchy, which established the king as the head of state, followed by the heir apparent, and several other government officials.

The Hittite army was highly militarized and drawn from various tiers of society, including farmers and specialist craftsmen. The core of their army consisted of a professional standing army, supplemented by levies drawn from the lower classes. The Hittites preferred to resolve their crises through diplomatic means, but if bloodshed could not be avoided, they were able to field one of the most impressive armies of the ancient world.