3.3 Late Bronze Age and international relations

The Late Bronze Age was a time of intense international relations and power struggles. Egypt dominated the Levant, using diplomacy and tribute to control vassal states. The Amarna Letters reveal the complex interactions between Egypt and Canaanite city-states during this period.

Other major players like the Hittites and Mycenaeans competed for influence. Trade networks connected distant regions, while new military tech like chariots changed warfare. This era of globalization ended with the mysterious Sea Peoples and the Bronze Age collapse.

Egyptian Dominance and Diplomacy

Diplomatic Correspondence and Vassal States

Top images from around the web for Diplomatic Correspondence and Vassal States

• 

  Amarna letters - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Amarna letter EA 270 - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Amarna letter EA 323 - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Amarna letters - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Amarna letter EA 270 - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Diplomatic Correspondence and Vassal States

• 

  Amarna letters - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Amarna letter EA 270 - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Amarna letter EA 323 - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Amarna letters - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Amarna letter EA 270 - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Amarna Letters provide a unique insight into the diplomatic correspondence between Egypt and various Canaanite city-states (Byblos, Megiddo) during the reign of Akhenaten in the 14th century BCE
• Canaanite city-states were under the political and economic influence of Egypt, serving as vassal states within the Egyptian sphere of control
• Egyptian hegemony over the Levant region was maintained through a combination of military presence, diplomatic relations, and economic ties

Cuneiform Diplomacy and Tribute

• Cuneiform, the ancient writing system, was used for diplomatic correspondence between Egypt and other powers in the Near East
• Tribute systems were a key aspect of Egyptian dominance, with vassal states required to provide regular payments (gold, silver, precious goods) as a sign of loyalty and submission to the Egyptian pharaoh

Regional Powers and Conflicts

Rival Empires and Kingdoms

• Hittite Empire, based in Anatolia, emerged as a major rival to Egyptian power in the Late Bronze Age
  • Engaged in conflicts and peace treaties with Egypt, notably the Battle of Kadesh (c. 1274 BCE) and the subsequent Egyptian-Hittite peace treaty
• Mitanni kingdom, located in northern Mesopotamia, was another significant regional power that vied for control over the Levant
  • Mitanni's influence declined in the face of Hittite and Assyrian expansion

Strategic Cities and Military Technology

• Ugarit, a major port city on the Syrian coast, played a crucial role in international trade and diplomacy
  • Ugarit's strategic location made it a target for conquest by various powers (Egypt, Hittites)
• Chariot warfare revolutionized military tactics and became a key element of Late Bronze Age conflicts
  • Chariots, drawn by horses, provided a mobile and powerful strike force on the battlefield
  • Effective use of chariots required specialized training and coordination between chariot teams

Mediterranean Interactions

Mycenaean Civilization and Trade

• Mycenaean civilization, centered in mainland Greece, emerged as a significant power in the eastern Mediterranean during the Late Bronze Age
  • Mycenaeans engaged in extensive trade networks, exchanging goods (pottery, olive oil) with other cultures
• International trade networks connected the Near East, Egypt, and the Aegean, facilitating the exchange of raw materials (copper, tin), finished goods, and cultural influences

Sea Peoples and Collapse

• Sea Peoples, a coalition of seafaring groups (Philistines, Sherden), posed a significant threat to the established powers of the Late Bronze Age
  • Sea Peoples' raids and migrations contributed to the destabilization and ultimate collapse of several civilizations (Hittites, Mycenaeans)
• Bronze Age collapse (c. 1200 BCE) marked the end of the Late Bronze Age and the decline of many major civilizations
  • Factors contributing to the collapse included climate change, natural disasters (earthquakes), and sociopolitical upheaval
  • Collapse led to a period of fragmentation and the rise of new powers in the Iron Age (Assyrians, Phoenicians)