Suppiluliuma I

[Unkotare]

Greatest of the Hittite kings, he challenged the powerful Egyptians for supremacy in the region. He was known as a brilliant, ruthless, and opportunistic military leader. When the eccentric Akhenaten succeeded Amenhotep III and proceeded to ignore foreign policy, Suppiluliuma took the opportunity to seize several of Egypt's vassal states. When Akhenaten belatedly reacted, it was too late. Suppiluliuma's army had grown too powerful and his position was too well-entrenched to be displaced. The Hittites had grown stronger just as the Egyptians had grown weaker. Score one for the Hittites.

 

[Penelope]

What happened to the Hittites?

 

[there4eyeM]

There may have been a technological element in the success of the Hitites. They were the first to smelt iron effectively. It is disputed as to whether or not this gave them an 'edge'.

 

[Unkotare]

What happened to the Hittites?

Same old story. A few very successful rulers eventually sired ever weaker and less ruthless ones until...

...the Assyrians eventually took over the region.