Overview

Syria-Palestine in the Late Bronze Age presents an explicitly anthropological perspective on politics and social relationships. An anthropological reading of the textual and epigraphic remains of the time allows us to see how power was constructed and political subordination was practised and expressed. Syria-Palestine in the Late Bronze Age identifies a particular political ontology, native to ancient Syro-Palestinian societies, which informs and constitutes their social worlds. This political ontology, based on patronage relationships, provides a way of understanding the political culture and the social dynamics of ancient Levantine peoples. It also illuminates the historical processes taking place in the region, processes based on patrimonial social structures and articulated through patron-client bonds.

Full Product Details

Author:   Emanuel Pfoh (National Research Council, Argentina & University of Helsinki, Finland.)
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Acumen Publishing Ltd
Weight:   0.476kg
ISBN:  

9781844657841

ISBN 10:   1844657841
Pages:   246
Publication Date:   03 March 2016
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Map and Figures Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations Introduction PART I: SYRIA-PALESTINE DURING THE LATE BRONZE AGE Chapter 1: An Overview of Political History (ca. 1550-1150 BCE) Egypt Ḫatti Mittani Babylonia Assyria Syria-Palestine Egyptian Rule over Syria-Palestine Chapter 2: ‘International’ Diplomacy during the Late Bronze Age 2.1. Primary and Secondary Sources 2.1.1. The El Amarna Archive 2.1.2. Hittite Archives 2.1.3. Archives from Ugarit 2.1.4. Archives from Alalaḫ 2.1.5. Other Epigraphic Records 2.1.5.1. Documents from Emar 2.1.5.2. Archives from Mari 2.1.5.3. Archives from Nuzi 2.2. On ‘International’ Diplomacy in the Late Bronze Age 2.2.1. Egyptian and Asiatic Worldviews 2.3. On the Late Bronze Age Epistolographic Structure 2.3.1. Amarna Socio-Linguistics Chapter 3: Alliances and Exchanges 3.1. Anthropology and History: Epistemological Preliminaries 3.2. Economic Anthropology of the Late Bronze Age 3.3. Commodities and Exchange of Luxury Goods 3.4. Exchange of Women 3.4.1. Marriage as Social and Political Communication 3.4.2. Hierarchies and Alliances during the Late Bronze Age 3.5. Exchange of Specialists 3.5.1. Techniques and Specialization 3.5.2. Mobility and Hospitality PART II: POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN SYRIA-PALESTINE Chapter 4: Socio-Politics of Syria-Palestine (I): Analytical Concepts 4.1. Towards an Historical Anthropology of Syria-Palestine 4.2. On Statehood and State Practice in Syria-Palestine 4.3. City-States in Syria-Palestine? Chapter 5: Socio-Politics of Syria-Palestine (II): Interpretative Models 5.1. Feudalism and Asiatic Mode of Production 5.2. On Hititte ‘Vassalage’ PART III: PATRONS AND CLIENTS IN THE LEVANT Chapter 6: Patronage Relationships: A Theoretical Overview 6.1. On Mediterranean Societies 6.2. Kinship and Patron-Client Relationships 6.3. Honour, Prestige and Patronage 6.4. The Concept of Patronage and Late Bronze Age Syria-Palestine Chapter 7: Patrimonialism in the Late Bronze Age 7.1. Syria-Palestine as Patrimonial Society 7.2. Patrimonialism and Patronage Chapter 8: Political Relations in Late Bronze Age Syria-Palestine 8.1. Alliance and Subordination—Loyalty and Reciprocity 8.2. Prestige as Authority and Power 8.3. On the Socio-Religious Imagination in Syria-Palestine Conclusions Bibliography Indices

Reviews

... impressive and highly recommended ... this is a very useful book, as it provides an in-depth, theoretically sound and quite innovative understanding of the socio-political structure of Syria-Palestine during the Late Bronze Age specifically and the ancient Near East in general. I highly recommend the book for anyone studying ancient Near Eastern cultures and other historical or traditional cultures. - Aren M. Maeir, Bar-Ilan University (Israel), the Bryn Mawr Classical Review

... impressive and highly recommended ... this is a very useful book, as it provides an in-depth, theoretically sound and quite innovative understanding of the socio-political structure of Syria-Palestine during the Late Bronze Age specifically and the ancient Near East in general. I highly recommend the book for anyone studying ancient Near Eastern cultures and other historical or traditional cultures. - Aren M. Maeir, Bar-Ilan University (Israel), the Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Author Information

Emanuel Pfoh is a Researcher at the National Research Council (CONICET) and teaches in the Department of History of the National University of La Plata, Argentina.　

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