The Empires of Assyria and Babylon Course Materials

Session 4: The Bronze Age Collapse

This class delves into the mysterious Bronze Age Collapse, marked by the sudden fall of major civilizations in the Near East, Mediterranean, and Aegean regions. We'll explore the complex web of factors, including natural disasters, invasions, and economic upheavals, that led to the decline of powerful empires like the Mycenaeans, Hittites, and Egyptians. Through archaeological evidence, ancient texts, and modern theories, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how interconnected societies faced simultaneous crises, reshaping the ancient world and paving the way for the dawn of the Iron Age.

Outline

A. The Collapse of Bronze Age Societies

1. The Aegean Diaspora

2. The Demise of the Hittite Empire

3. New People in Syria-Palestine

4. The Decline of Assyria

5. The Decline of Babylonia

6. The Decline of Elam

7. What Cause the Collapse

8. Aftermath

Key Terms

Sea Peoples

Aramaeans

Habiru

Exercises:

1. Memorize the meanings of the key terms from this chapter.

2. Without notes, explain the events of the collapse and what factors may have contributed to it.

3. Read the inscriptions below. Think about how what you are reading tells you about the international situation at the time.

Merneptah Victory Stela (late 13th century BCE)

Woe to Rebu [Lebu, i.e., Libyans]! They have ceased to live in the pleasant fashion of one who goes about in the field. Their going is checked in a single day. The Tehenu are consumed in a single year, for Seth has turned his hack upon their chief: their settlements are abandoned on his account. . . .

Great joy has arisen in Egypt;

Jubilation has gone forth in the towns of Egypt.

They talk about the victories

Which Mer-ne-Ptah TIotep-hir-Maat made in Tehenu:

"How amiable is he, the victorious ruler!

How exalted is the king among the gods!. . ."

The princes are prostrate, saying: "Peace!"

Not one raises his head among the Nine Bows [traditional enemies of Egypt].

Desolation is for Tehenu; Hatti is pacified:

Plundered is the Canaan with every evil;

Carried oil is Ashkelon; seized upon is Gezer;

Yanoam is made as that which does not exist:

Israel is laid waste, his seed is not;

Hurru [Syria-Palestine] is become a Widow for Egypt! All lands together, they are pacified; Everyone who was restless, he has been bound

by the King of Upper and Lower Egypt; Ba-en-Re Meri-Amon; the Son of Re: Mer-ne-Ptah Hotep-hir-Maat, given life Like Re every day.

Medinet Habut Inscription of Ramesses III (12th century BCE)

“The foreign countries made a conspiracy in their islands. All at once the lands were removed and scattered in the fray. No land could stand before their arms, from Hatti, Kode (=Kizzuwatna), Carchemish, Arzawa, and Alashiya [Cyprus] on, being cut off at [one time]. A camp [was set up] in one place in Amurru. They desolated its people, and its land was like that which had never come into being. They were coming forward toward Egypt, while the flame was prepared for them. Their confederation was the Peleset, Tjeker, Shekelesh, Denyen, and Weshesh, lands united."