--- title: Ancient Near East c.1500-1300 BCE: The Old Hittite Collapse and the Rise of Kassites, Mitanni, and the New Kingdom of Egypt author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14807/ancient-near-east-c1500-1300-bce/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2025-04-25 --- # Ancient Near East c.1500-1300 BCE: The Old Hittite Collapse and the Rise of Kassites, Mitanni, and the New Kingdom of Egypt _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Ancient Near East c.1500-1300 BCE: The Old Hittite Collapse and the Rise of Kassites, Mitanni, and the New Kingdom of Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14807.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14807.png) ## Image Caption This map illustrates the geopolitical landscape of the ancient [Near East](https://www.worldhistory.org/Near_East/) following the destructive campaigns of the Old [Hittite](https://www.worldhistory.org/hittite/) [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) (circa 1650–1500 BCE), which triggered widespread upheaval and realigned regional power structures. In the aftermath, new political forces emerged, reshaping diplomacy, [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/), and territorial control across the region. Rising from the chaos were the Middle Babylonian Kingdom of the Kassites (circa 1595–1155 BCE), the [Mitanni](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mitanni/) kingdom of the [Hurrians](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hurrians/) (circa 1500–1300 BCE), the Middle Hittite Kingdom (circa 1500–1400 BCE), and the Kingdom of [Elam](https://www.worldhistory.org/elam/) during the Middle [Elamite](https://www.worldhistory.org/elam/) period (circa 1500–1100 BCE). At the same time, [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/)’s [New Kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/New_Kingdom/) (circa 1550–1077 BCE) extended its influence as far as the southern [Levant](https://www.worldhistory.org/levant/). This map offers a visual entry point into understanding the complex and shifting political landscape of the mid-second millennium BCE. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2021, November 12). Ancient Near East c.1500-1300 BCE: The Old Hittite Collapse and the Rise of Kassites, Mitanni, and the New Kingdom of Egypt. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Ancient Near East c.1500-1300 BCE: The Old Hittite Collapse and the Rise of Kassites, Mitanni, and the New Kingdom of Egypt." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 12, 2021. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Ancient Near East c.1500-1300 BCE: The Old Hittite Collapse and the Rise of Kassites, Mitanni, and the New Kingdom of Egypt." *World History Encyclopedia*, 12 Nov 2021, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 12 November 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.