logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2023
3h 47m

182b: Destruction in Amurru

DOMINIC PERRY
About this episode

Amurru (Part 4): Reconquista. The land of Amurru, and its leaders, have been a noteworthy part of the story in recent decades. Since the reigns of Amunhotep III and Akhenaten, the lords of Amurru have caused great trouble in Egypt’s northern empire. They have raided, plundered, and even murdered their way to regional prominence. Now, a couple decades after their betrayals, King Sety I is bringing vengeance…

Note: This episode includes new content and old material from episodes 123, 124, 142c. See timecodes for relevant chapters.

Timecodes:

  • 00:00 Introduction.
  • 02:25 The Land of Amurru.
  • 12:25 How Science Uncovered Amurrite Expansion.
  • 24:04 The Amurru – Hittite Alliances.
  • 35:44 The Battle of Amurru.
  • 46:28 Can We Trust Sety's Story?
  • 51:15 Conclusion.
  • 53:50 Episode 123, Amurrites and Where to Find Them.
  • 2:07:17 Episode 124, The Crimes of Aziru.
  • 3:07:45 Episode 142c, Aziru’s Betrayal.

Episode Details:


Select Bibliography:

  • S. Aḥituv, Canaanite Toponyms in Ancient Egyptian Documents (1984).
  • G. Beckman, Hittite Diplomatic Texts (1996).
  • P. J. Brand, The Monuments of Seti I: Epigraphic, Historical and Art Historical Analysis (2000).
  • T. Bryce, The Kingdom of the Hittites (2005).
  • T. Bryce and J. Birkett-Rees, Atlas of the Ancient Near East from Prehistoric Times to the Roman Imperial Period (2016).
  • T. R. Bryce, Ancient Syria: A Three Thousand Year History (2014).
  • T. R. Bryce, Warriors of Anatolia: A Concise History of the Hittites (2019).
  • V. Davies, ‘The Treatment of Foreigners in Seti’s Battle Reliefs’, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 98 (2012), 73–85.
  • A. Dodson, Sethy I King of Egypt: His Life and Afterlife (2019).
  • H. El-Saady, ‘The Wars of Sety I at Karnak: A New Chronological Structure’, Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur 19 (1992), 285–94.
  • R. O. Faulkner, ‘The Wars of Sethos I’, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 33 (1947), 34–9.
  • Y. Goren et al., ‘The Expansion of the Kingdom of Amurru According to the Petrographic Investigation of the Amarna Tablets’, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research (2003), 1–11.
  • M. Healy, Qadesh 1300 BC: Clash of the Warrior Kings (1993).
  • K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Notes and Comments, I (1993).
  • K. A. Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions Translated and Annotated: Translations, I (2017).
  • S. Langdon and A. H. Gardiner, ‘The Treaty of Alliance between Ḫattušili, King of the Hittites, and the Pharaoh Ramesses II of Egypt’, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 6 (1920), 179–205.
  • D. D. Luckenbill, ‘Hittite Treaties and Letters’, The American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literatures 37 (1921), 161–211.
  • E. F. Morris, The Architecture of Imperialism: Military Bases and the Evolution of Foreign Policy in Egypt’s New Kingdom (2005).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Jul 4
NSFW Not Safe for Water (Did Pharaohs Masturbate into the Nile?)
Explicit content. There's a factoid floating around on the internet. It claims that, to ensure fertility and good harvest, pharaohs would annually masturbate into the River Nile. This claim is total bubkis, but where did it come from? Which deities and myths were most closely ass ... Show More
14m 30s
Jun 27
Hapi Days (or, Ramesses in DeNile)
Hapi was Egypt. The life-giving waters of the annual flood (inundation) were his work; and thanks to these waters, Egypt flourished, its people were fed, the gods received their offerings, and the social order was maintained. From the New Kingdom, papyrus and ostraca record songs ... Show More
20m 15s
Jun 20
Scent of a Mummy: Smells and Pleasure in ancient Egypt, with Dora Goldsmith
What did ancient Egyptians like to smell? Did they use any narcotics in their day to day lives? And what do mummified bodies smell like? Today, I'm pleased to welcome Dora Goldsmith to the podcast. Dora Goldsmith is a PhD-candidate at the Freie Universitat in Berlin, Germany. Spe ... Show More
40m 50s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2023
A Guide to Ancient Egypt
Egypt was a vast kingdom of the ancient world. Its rulers were considered gods and wielded tremendous power and wealth. Egyptian scholars, astrologists and thinkers pioneered in their fields. Lasting for millennia, the kingdom's influence on culture, economics and politics was fe ... Show More
41m 32s
Dec 2020
Ancient Egypt & Geopolitics
One of the luxuries of living in Ancient Egypt was that you were surrounded by massive deserts, protecting you from people who wanted to cut your head off. Well, at some point between 1650 – 1550 BC (who knows really), the Kingdom is invaded by barbarian hill people. The occupati ... Show More
1h 39m
Dec 2023
Episode C30 - The Death of Kings
Synopsis: Faced with a series of disloyal vassals, Sargon conquers the remaining Neo-Hittite kingdoms and absorbs them into his empire. The Cimmerian invasion of Anatolia leads to the deaths of two powerful kings. In their absence, the preservation of peace and stability falls to ... Show More
27m 49s
Oct 2023
Episode C25 - Arpad
Synopsis: Matti’el of Arpad turns his back on the Treaty of Katikka and allies with Sarduri II of Urartu. The usurpation of Tiglath-pileser III heralds an Assyrian resurgence and the kingdom of Arpad’s destruction. “Matti’el the son of Attar-shumki (II) fomented a rebellion again ... Show More
27m 52s
Feb 2024
The Origins of Ancient Egypt
All this week Dan is delving into the history, mystery and legacy of Ancient Egypt. Discover how this mighty empire grew from nomadic settlers to the Nile and how its magnificent wonders were built. Dan explores the life of the most powerful Pharaoh Rameses II, of the ideological ... Show More
29m 42s
Feb 2024
Persia Reborn: Rise of the Sasanians
The Sasanians are renowned as one of Rome's most feared enemies. Founded in third century Persia by an Iranian noble called Ardashir, their dynasty oversaw the growth of a mighty empire that brought down the Parthians and survived into the early Middle Ages. But how did one famil ... Show More
50m 37s
Jun 2024
The Parthians
The Parthians were heavyweights of ancient Mesopotamia. Hailing from what is now modern day Iran, they charged onto the scene by destroying the Seleucid Empire and became one of Rome’s most formidable enemies. They are perhaps most famous for capturing Crassus - Rome’s spider-lik ... Show More
54m 58s
Jun 2024
[2/2] Spartacus, le gladiateur rebelle - Au Cœur de l’Histoire Antique
Retrouvez les destins exceptionnels qui ont fait l’Antiquité dans le nouveau livre de Virginie Girod, Au Cœur de l’Histoire Antique, paru aux éditions Perrin. Disponible dès maintenant en librairie, avec deux récits inédits !Découvrez la suite du récit sur l’Antiquité romaine con ... Show More
14m 55s
Jun 2024
Temple Mount
Temple Mount is one of the most sacred places in Jerusalem. A rocky outcrop that has become important for Islam, Judaism and Christianity and the acropolis of the ancient city, with links to figures like King David, Solomon, Herod, Jesus and Muhammad. It’s an area of the world ri ... Show More
1h 1m
Jun 2024
Japan's First Unifier: Oda Nobunaga
Oda Nobunaga. He’s one of feudal Japan’s most infamous and consequential figures, known to many as Japan’s first ‘Great Unifier’. From humble beginnings as the daimyo of Owari province, he embarked on a mission to unite all of Japan under his sole control. But how did he emerge a ... Show More
49m 12s