Which gods and religious traditions were included in Hittite polytheism?

Hittite polytheism was a complex, syncretic system that incorporated deities from various cultures inhabiting Anatolia, including the Hattians, Luwians, and Hurrians. Because individual cult centers often maintained distinct traditions, the Hittite pantheon featured a vast array of divine names and manifestations.1

Key Deities and Traditions

• The Weather God: The most prominent deity, representing the state and fertility. Known as Tarhun (or Tarhund) in Hittite/Luwian, Taru in Hattian, and Teshub in Hurrian, he was often associated with the sacred bull and thunderbolts.23
• Sun Goddess of Arinna: The patroness of the state and consort to the weather god. Known as Arinnitti to the Hittites and Wurusemu to the Hattians, she held a central role in official state religion.2
• Other Deities: The pantheon included a male sun god (Istanu), a moon god (Arma), the hunting god Kurunda, and the goddess of love and war, Shaushka (identified with the Mesopotamian Ishtar).2
• Hurrian Influence: In the later years of the empire, the state cult became heavily influenced by Hurrian traditions, leading to the assimilation of Hittite gods into Hurrian counterparts, such as the identification of the sun goddess with Hebat.2

Religious life involved extensive rituals, including divination, prayer, and festival ceremonies, often recorded in the Boğazköy archives.3