Brotherhood of kings: how international relations shaped the ancient near east

Over four thousand years ago ambassadors and merchants overcame all manner of obstacles in order to ally the kings of the ancient Near East together as self-proclaimed brothers. This book takes readers on a journey across time and space-from the 24th to the 14th century BCE, and through deserts and river valleys-to meet the colorful characters who first began to tie cultures together. Amanda Podany here takes readers on a vivid tour through a thousand years of ancient Near Eastern history, from 2300 to 1300 BCE, paying particular attention to the lively interactions that took place between the great kings of the day. INDICE: Contents A Word about Chronology and Translation Cast of Characters Time Line Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: The Early Dynastic Period andAkkadian Empire, 1500-2000 BCE The First Evidence for Diplomacy ("I am your brother and you are my brother") Traders and Ships from Different Lands ("At the wharf of Akkad he made moor ships") Part II: The Old Babylonian Period, 2000-1595 BCE War and Allegiance ("I have always done good things for him and his heart knows the good deeds that I have done for him") Long Journeys away from Home ("Who is there who would sell lapis-lazuli?") Part III: A Time of Crisis and Change, 1595-1400 BCE Attack on Babylon by a Distant Enemy ("I sent to a far-off land") A Clash between Expanding Empires ("Prepare yourselves! Make your weapons ready! For one will engage in combat with that wretched foe in the morning") Diplomatic Overtures between the Great Powers ("A notable event! The like of this occurrence had not been heard of since the time of the demigods" Part IV: The Amarna Age, 1400-1300 BCE Brother Kings United and at Peace ("My brother, whom I love and who loves me") Diplomatic Marriages ("We, between us,are one, the Hurrian land and the land of Egypt ") Luxury Goods from Eveyrwhere ("The gold is much. Among the kings there are brotherhood, amity, peace, and good relations") A Crisis in the Brotherhood ("My father became hostile") The End of an Empire and the Restoration of Peace ("My ancestors and your ancestors made a mutual declaration of friendship") Epilogue Abbreviations Notes Further Reading Bibliography Index

• ISBN: 978-0-19-985868-2
• Editorial: Oxford University
• Encuadernacion: Rústica
• Páginas: 432
• Fecha Publicación: 19/01/2012
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés