What roles did Hittite kings hold in government and religion?

In the Hittite government, the king held multiple supreme roles: he served as the chief ruler, military leader, and supreme judge. His authority was central to the state, and important matters, including royal decrees and treaties, were placed under the protection of national deities.12

In the religious sphere, the Hittite king functioned as the chief priest. He was considered the earthly deputy of the storm god, and upon his death, he was believed to become a god himself. The king and queen frequently acted as the chief officiants during numerous seasonal festivals, which often involved libations and cultic meals.3142

The king’s status was deeply intertwined with the divine; for example, inscriptions and rock reliefs often depict the king being addressed as "my sun," reflecting his sacred role. Furthermore, the Hittites practiced a tolerant polytheism, and the king ensured that state religious cults were maintained, with divine vengeance threatened against those who failed to properly celebrate festivals or mismanaged temple resources.412