The Amarna Letters (zangani 2016)

What are they

• Group of several hundred clay tablets with cuneiform dating to 14thC BCE

• Found at Tell-el-Amarna (short lived capital of Egypt)

• Egypt is not where Cuneiform developed so testifies the use of script across the Mediterranean

• Two different types of letter 

Letter type one:

Letters from rulers of cites and small kingdoms

• More common type of letter

• Concerns squabbles with other rulers, lists relating to Egyptian administration or trade

Letter Type Two:

letters from rulers who were powerful rulers in their own right

• Use terms of equality (‘brother’) and discuss mutual exchange of gifts/raw materials such as Egyptian Gold and Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan

• Also discuss marriages

Common misconceptions in interpretation

• They are often used in tandem with Uluburun shipwreck, as the cargo type is mentioned in the letters, to indicate high level exchange between Aegean and near east

• Zangani (2016) points that the letters to not report any contact with the Aegean and Near east and the letters and wreck should be treated as separate pieces of evidence

Interpretation

• The Letters are a diplomatic tool and speak to a network of reciprocal ties between courts where kings competed for status

• This is what Liverani (1979) calls ‘irrational economics’ as this is not just gift exchange, but a form of giving that is not purely rational and are catalysts in the establishments of relationships

• The motivation is social not commercial