Luwian religion

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The Luwian religion was closely related to that of the Hittites, with a chief god of thunder and rain named Tarhun. The moon god was called Arma in both languages. After the Hittite empire fell, Luwians formed successor kingdoms in Anatolia and Syria. In these regions, their chief goddess became Kubaba, especially in Carchemish. Luwian iconography, while retaining Hittite elements, also incorporated influences from Aramaic and Assyrian art. The Lycians, a remnant Luwian people, continued to revere Luwian gods like Tarhun, Runda, Arma, and Santa into classical times.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Anatolian religion
Religions of successor states
…in about 1180 bc, the Luwians moved eastward and southward into Cappadocia, Cilicia, and North Syria. Here they formed a number of small successor kingdoms. Shortly afterward the Phrygians crossed the Bosporus from Thrace and occupied the centre of the Anatolian plateau, cutting off in the extreme southwest a remnant…
Read More
…in about 1180 bc, the Luwians moved eastward and southward into Cappadocia, Cilicia, and North Syria. Here they formed a number of small successor kingdoms. Shortly afterward the Phrygians crossed the Bosporus from Thrace and occupied the centre of the Anatolian plateau, cutting off in the extreme southwest a remnant…
Read More