Kaškäer

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The Kaškäer (also Kaškäer, Kaška, Gasga; Egyptian Gaschsch, Gašgeš, Keschkesch, Keškeš) lived in northern Anatolia at the time of the Hittite Empire. Their settlement area was the middle of northern Anatolia and possibly also included parts of the ancient landscape of Paphlagonia. The exact extent of their territory, especially to the east, is uncertain. The latter also depends on where to locate Azzi-Ḫajaša.

First confirmed Hittite mentions of the Kaškäer date back to the early 14th century. century BC. Therefore, part of the research assumes that they only came to northern Anatolia at that time. Other researchers say they are indigenous. The latter is more plausible, since the testified Kaškäic names are very likely ancient Anatolian. The absence in texts that certainly date back to 1400 BC is due to the fact that we have few sources from the Old Kingdom and the region was then largely under Hittite control.

The Kaškäer lived partly semi-nomadic and were divided into at least nine different tribes. Among other reasons, they posed a constant threat on the Hittite northern border. Contracts made with one tribe often ignored the other tribes. The incursions into the Hittite empire, however, were apparently less conquest moves than looting. Only at the time of Šuppiluliuma I (about 1355–1320 BC) are the tribes supposed to have joined together under one king Piḫḫuniya. After that they seem to have been divided again.
Under Ḫantili II. They conquered Nerik and Tiliura around 1450. Like Ḫattušili III. Mentioned in his apology, the Kaškäer in his reign crossed the upper Kızılırmak and even reached Kaneš. Muršili II won decisive victories against the Kaškäer. They are also known as allies of the Hittites, who supported them, for example, in the Battle of Kadesh, as well as Ḫattušili III. in his usurpation of the throne. Ramses II lists the “Keshkesh” in a topographic list of names alongside Babylonia, Meshsh and Cyprus and reports on “Mariannu warriors from Keshkesh”. Similar compounds are known from a campaign of Amenophis II. (1426–1400 BC) where, among other things, “a captured Mariannu from Qatna” is listed in the pots.

Although the Kaškæans are mentioned as often as few other peoples in Hittite texts from the time of the Great Empire, we know very little about them, since the Hittites limited themselves to the most essential in the description of campaigns and in the texts of treaties.

Between the Devrez Çayı and the Kızılırmak were a number of Hittite fortresses, which were to block the Kaškäer access to the Hittite core area. They were laid out at equal distances and were mostly on a hillside, but with access to water and good farmland. They were heavily fortified and sometimes up to a hectare in size.
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