The Hittites were an ancient Anatolian people who established an empire in the 17th century BCE, centered in what is now modern Turkey. They are known for their advanced civilization, which included a rich culture, a complex legal system, and significant developments in Metallurgy and architecture. The Hittites played a crucial role in the political dynamics of the ancient Near East, often interacting and competing with neighboring powers such as Egypt and Assyria. Their language, Hittite, is one of the earliest known Indo-European languages, and their empire eventually fell around the 11th century BCE.