The Firaktin Hittite Rock Relief The Hittite Rock Relief Fıraktın (also referred to as Fraktin) stands as an important example of Hittite rock carvings, situated about 50 km (30 mi.) south of Kayseri in Turkey. This relief, dating back to the 13th century BC, measures approximately 1.3 meters tall and 3.2 meters wide, and it faces northwest towards Mount Erciyes. On the left side of the relief, the depiction shows Hittite king Hattusili III (positioned on the right) presenting water from a beaked vessel to the weather deity, who holds a crook in his hands. Both figures wear pointed hats, symbolizing their divine status. Between them stands an altar-like structure topped with a grooved, conical object. Hieroglyphic inscriptions naming the figures appear in front of their heads. This scene likely represents a ritual performed following Hattusili’s death during the reign of his son and heir, Tudhaliya IV, as Hittite kings were believed to attain divinity posthumously. At the center of the relief, Hattusili III’s wife, Tawannanna Puduhepa, is depicted performing a libation to the Sun goddess Hebat. Positioned between them is an altar accompanied by a bird-shaped vessel. The carving on the far right side appears rougher, indicating that this section may have been left incomplete. The third section of the relief features Luwian hieroglyphs that extend the description of the queen, starting near her head with the phrase "Daughter of the land of Kizzuwatna, beloved by the divine." A concrete replica of the relief is exhibited at the Kayseri Museum, while a plaster cast is displayed at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. The Fıraktın relief is an important piece of Hittite artistry, whose detailed carvings and symbols offer meaningful understanding of Hittite traditions and spirituality. If you have any questions or requests about the Firaktin Hittite Rock Relief, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply message us on Whatsapp, and we will reply as soon as possible.