Pitḫana (Pythanas) was a Bronze Age king, during the 18th century BC (middle chronology), of the Anatolian city of Kuššara, and a forerunner of the later Hittite dynasty.[1]
During his reign he conquered the city of Kanesh,[2] heart of the Assyrian trading colonies network in Anatolia, and core of the Hittite-speaking territories.
The seal of an agricultural official Ilī-Samas has been discovered with several texts at Tell al-Rimah. The seal describes Ilī-Samas as being a servant of a name that may be Pitḫana, which could correspond to King Pitḫana of Kuššara. If so, the seal is dated to approximately year 20 of the reign of King Samsu-iluna of Babylon (c. 1730 BC according to the middle chronology or c. 1666 BC according to the short chronology).[3]
He was succeeded by his son, Anitta, who is best known for conquering Hattusa, the future Hittite capital, and memorializing his achievement using the Hittite language.