Why were confession and expiation important themes in Hittite royal prayers?

In Anatolian religion, the relationship between humans and gods was viewed similarly to that between a servant and a master. Because worshipers were entirely dependent on the gods for their well-being, any offense committed against a deity could result in divine anger, potentially causing life on Earth to wither.1

Confession and expiation became central themes in royal prayers because they served as a mechanism to appease a deity's spirit. Hittite theology held that if a servant confessed their guilt, the master might choose to forgive them rather than hold them accountable. Consequently, kings—such as Mursilis II in his famous "plague prayers"—confessed their sins and sought mercy to restore favor and ensure the continued protection of the state and its people.12