The Eastern Mediterranean in the Age of Ramesses II »

Marc Van De Mieroop is Professor of Ancient Near Eastern History at Columbia University, New York. He has also taught at Yale University and at the University of Oxford. He has written numerous books and articles including, most recently, King Hammurabi of Babylon: A Biography (Blackwell, 2004) and A History of the Ancient Near East, ca. 3000-323 BC: Second Edition (Blackwell, 2007).

The age of King Ramesses II of Egypt, the centuries of 1500 to 1200 BC, is considered the first international age in world history. Powerful states on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea – stretching from western Iran to Greece and from Turkey to Sudan – jointly shaped the history, society, and culture of this region through both peaceful and military means. These militarized states were frequently in conflict with each other, yet exchanged diplomatic messages, gifts, trade goods, and elements of culture and religion. For three centuries they formed a unique system of interdependence and coexistence, well documented in ancient textual and archaeological sources.

Providing a compelling narrative, synthesis of current research, and rich illustrations, The Eastern Mediterranean in the Age of Ramesses II offers a wide perspective on the period. Utilizing a diverse body of evidence, it ranges from eating habits to royal diplomacy to provide a comprehensive picture of this important period.

List of Illustrations     vi
Preface     viii
Acknowledgments     xi
Note to the Reader     xiii
The World in 1279 BC     1
The Primary Actors: States     12
The Other Actors: On the Fringes of the States     46
Political Organization and Social Structure     68
Diplomacy and War     100
Food and Drink     134
Aspects of the Economy: Textiles, Metals, and Trade     153
Cultures in Contact     192
A Mediterranean System     223
End of an Era     235
King Lists     255
Notes     261
Bibliography     266
Index     285