Liverani - THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

In the original Italian edition of this work, Liverani defined and applied, with the touch of a master, the criteria for proper historical writing as it relates to the ancient Near East. This English version will extend the reach of a classic to the much wider audience it deserves.

Giorgio Buccellati, Professor Emeritus, University of California, USA

Mario Liveranis classic text is as unusual in its ambitious chronological scope as in its clarity of vision: from the Neolithic to the emergence of the Persian Empire, his analysis of the history of the Middle East is firmly focused on the interplay between society, economy and ideology. And yet, the vast learning is lightly worn and the volume offers a hugely enjoyable and eye-opening read for novice and expert alike. A must have for anyone with an interest in world history.

Karen Radner, University College London, UK

The English translation of Mario Liveranis Antico Oriente: Storia, Societa, Economia is a welcomed addition to the publishing world and Routledge has truly done us a great service in making this project possible. Since its appearance in 1988, Antico Oriente has become the introduction to the ancient Near East The author breezes through an astonishing amount of data and material with ease, and he makes it accessible to the scholarly and general public alike. This is a wonderful book, which will make readers fall in love with the wonders of the ancient Near East, and at the same time provide them with a firm grasp on the methodological problems one faces when dealing with such a complex but fascinating world.

Alhena Gadotti, Towson University, USA

The Ancient Near East reveals three millennia of history (c. 3500500 BC) in a single work. Liverani draws upon over 45 years worth of experience and this personal odyssey has enabled him to retrace the history of the peoples of the Ancient Near East. The history of the Sumerians, Hittites, Assyrians, Babylonians and more is meticulously detailed by one of the leading scholars of Assyriology.

Utilizing research derived from the most recent archaeological finds, the text has been fully revised for this English edition and explores Liveranis current thinking on the history of the Ancient Near East. The rich and varied illustrations for each historical period, augmented by new images for this edition, provide insights into the material and textual sources for the Ancient Near East. Many highlight the ingenuity and technological prowess of the peoples in the Ancient Near East. Never before available in English, The Ancient Near East represents one of the greatest books ever written on the subject and is a must read for students who will not have had the chance to explore the depth of Liveranis scholarship.

Mario Liverani is Emeritus Professor of Ancient Near East History at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

. Satellite image of Mesopotamia (NASA).

THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

History, society and economy

Mario Liverani

Translated by Soraia Tabatabai

First published in English 2014
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

and by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

Originally published in Italian as Antico Oriente

1988, 2011, Gius. Laterza and Figli, all rights reserved.
English language edition published by agreement of Marco Vigevani Agenzia Letteraria, Milano.

The right of Mario Liverani to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Liverani, Mario.
[Antico Oriente. English]
The Ancient Near East: history, society and ecnomy / Mario Liverani ; translated by Soraia Tabatabai
pages cm
Originally published in Italian as Antico Oriente 1988, 2011, Gius. Laterza & Figli.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Middle EastHistoryTo 622. I. Title.
DS62.23.L5813 2013
939.4dc23
2013018121

ISBN: 9780415679053 (hbk)
ISBN: 9780415679060 (hbk)
ISBN: 9781315879895 (ebk)

Typeset in Bembo & Minion
by Swales & Willis Ltd, Exeter, Devon

CONTENTS

PART I
Introduction

PART II
The Early Bronze Age

PART III
The Middle Bronze Age

PART IV
The Late Bronze Age

PART V
The Early Iron Age

PART VI
Empires and Unification

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My illustrious Friend and Joy of my Liver!

The thing you ask of me is both difficult and useless. Although I have passed all my days in this place, I have neither counted the houses, nor have I inquired into the number of inhabitants; and as to what one person loads on his mules and the other stows away in the bottom of his ship, that is no business of mine. But, above all, as to the previous history of this city, God only knows the amount of dirt and confusion that the infidels may have eaten before the coming of the sword of Islam. It were unprofitable for us to inquire into it.