After the 1180s BCE, amid general turmoil in the Levant associated with the sudden arrival of the Sea Peoples, the empire disintegrated into several independent "Neo-Hittite" city-states, some of which survived until as late as the 8th century BCE.
Following the 1180s BCE, amidst widespread upheaval in the Levant due to the swift arrival of the Sea Peoples, the empire disintegrated into various independent city-states that shared Hittite characteristics, some of which survived until as late as the 8th century BCE.