Why was the sun goddess of Arinna important to the Hittite state?

The sun goddess of Arinna, known as Arinnitti (or Wurusemu in Hattian), held a central position in the Hittite state as the principal deity and patroness of the empire and monarchy. Her importance was multifaceted:12

• Royal Authority: She was the divine protectress of the Hittite royalty. The king and queen served as her high priest and priestess, and the powerful queen Puduhepa famously adopted the goddess as her personal protector.12
• Divine Attributes: Arinnitti was revered for embodying righteous judgment, mercy, and royal authority.1
• State Patronage: As the spouse of the weather god Tarhun, she was exalted as the patroness of the state. Together, this supreme pair represented the divine foundation of the Hittite kingdom.2
• Evolution: While she was primarily a sun goddess, she likely originated from an ancient Anatolian mother-goddess figure associated with earth and fertility, and she maintained connections to the underworld.12

Over time, her significance was such that she was later identified with the Hurrian queen of the gods, Hebat, reflecting the integration of Hurrian influences into the Hittite state cult.2