The Eastern Mediterranean in the Age of Ramesses II

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.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Note to the reader.

1 The World in 1279 BC.

2 The Primary Actors: States.

3 The Other Actors: On the Fringes of the States.

4 Political Organization and Social Structure.

5 Diplomacy and War.

6 Food and Drink.

7 Aspects of the economy: textiles, metals, and trade.

8 Cultures in Contact.

9 A Mediterranean system.

10 End of an Era.

Appendix: King Lists.

Notes.

Bibliography.

Index.

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).

"Throughout the chapters, various basic problems of historical methodology from interaction to self–identification, from technological change to collapse are faced and explained in an easy but correct way." ( Recensiones, 2010)

Van de Mieroop takes on a complex topic–the political, economic, social, and cultural history of the Late Bronze Age in the Middle East and Mediterranean world. The bibliographic essays, more like bibliographic notes, are very useful for further reading .Recommended. ( Choice Reviews, December 2008)

A refreshingly literate depiction .Welcome broad–brush viewpoint to those of us who study one culture at a time, and sorely need the wider lens. (About.com)