Final answer:
The Babylonians and the Hittites differed in geographic location, language, religion, and government structure. The Babylonians inhabited Mesopotamia, spoke a Semitic language, followed a centralized government with strict law codes, and had a consistent pantheon headed by gods like Marduk. In contrast, the Hittites lived in Anatolia, spoke an Indo-European language, had a decentralized government, and adopted the customs and gods of those they conquered.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between the Babylonians and the Hittites
The Babylonians and the Hittites had significant differences influenced by their geographic, linguistic, cultural, and military attributes. While the Babylonians spoke a Semitic language and were settled in southern Mesopotamia, the Hittites were an Indo-European-speaking group who settled in central Anatolia (modern Turkey).
Geographic location was a key difference; the Babylonians were situated in Mesopotamia which provided fertile lands due to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, whereas the Hittites were in the more mountainous and less fertile regions of Anatolia. Regarding language, the Babylonians spoke Akkadian and later Aramaic while the Hittites spoke an Indo-European language. Their religious beliefs also differed; although both cultures had pantheons, the Babylonians focused on gods like Marduk, while the Hittites had a more varied pantheon due to their practice of adopting the gods of conquered peoples. Government structure presented another contrast: Babylon was known for its strict codes of law such as Hammurabi's code, while the Hittites had fewer large cities and had a more decentralized form of government. The Hittite military technology was advanced, particularly with their use of iron and chariots. In contrast, Babylon's military might had waned, and the city itself was eventually sacked by the Hittites. Finally, the Hittites often adopted the customs, technologies, and religions of those they conquered, which made them a cultural bridge between civilizations, such as transmitting Mesopotamian technologies and legends to other regions, including the Greeks.