Book Summary1177 B.C., by Eric H. Cline

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of 1177 B.C.

The ancient Mediterranean and Near East areas saw the development of extensive trade networks and a time of flourishing cultural interactions.

Eric H. Cline's work posits the emergence of a society in the Mediterranean and Near East between 1500 and 1200 BC, which remarkably mirrored the interconnectedness of today's globalized world. Societies from diverse regions including Crete, Mycenaean Greece, Egypt, Anatolia, Mesopotamia, as well as Cyprus and the Levant, flourished independently while they developed an intricate network of trade, diplomatic connections, and cultural exchanges. The author emphasizes the increasing interdependence among these societies, which presaged the global interconnectedness we see today.

During the Late Bronze Age, spanning from 1500 to 1200 BC, commerce was thriving.

This section explores the complex network of trade that extended throughout the Mediterranean area. Cline highlights the extensive range of products involved in trade, meticulously describing the exchange processes and presenting evidence of deals that included items of both lasting and transient nature.

The fascination with opulent items often stemmed from their association with far-off and highly regarded areas like the Aegean, Egypt, and the Near East.

Cline emphasizes that luxury goods acquired a "distance value," meaning their worth increased the farther they traveled from their point of origin. The enhanced value of these commodities stemmed not just from their rarity but also from the challenges associated with transporting them across vast distances.

Examples abound: The artifacts unearthed in Mari, an ancient Mesopotamian city, from the 18th century BC chronicle the procurement of gold and lapis lazuli-adorned weaponry, along with clothing designed in the Cretan manner, known to the Mesopotamians as Caphtorian. This reveals an early exchange of exotic, high-status goods across a large geographic span. The narrative describes with great clarity the act of Crete sending footwear fashioned in the Minoan style to the ruler of Babylon. The incident highlights the traditional ritual where monarchs would present each other with gifts; however, the ruler of Babylon refused the gesture, and the reasons for this remain unknown.

Traces of commerce involving perishable goods such as foodstuffs, fragrances, and different types of cloth have been discovered.

Cline stresses that the luxury items archaeologists unearth represent just a tiny fraction of the total goods exchanged. Archaeologists frequently face challenges in uncovering items that deteriorate easily, such as cereals, alcoholic beverages, wood, and various commodities that were likely a substantial portion of international trade, including fabrics and lubricants. Examining a range of documented evidence, such as written documents, pictorial representations, and various symbolic marks, is crucial for piecing together the characteristics of this trade.

• The Sinaranu Text, a royal decree from Ugarit in the 13th century BC, granted a prosperous trader exemption from taxes on the shipment of grains, fermented beverages, and olive oil that his vessel transported, which had originated in Crete. This section, along with similar claims about trade involving Egypt and its counterparts, provides conclusive evidence of maritime commerce that included vital commodities.
• The Amarna Letters, which are...

1177 B.C. Summary The disintegration of societies marking the conclusion of the Late Bronze Age.

This section describes the disintegration of societies in the 12th century BC. Cline explores the extensive destruction, investigates the fundamental causes and the sequence of events that led to it, and highlights the differences in recovery among various areas.

Following 1200 BC, the decline of major urban hubs and palatial sites commenced.

Cline suggests that the deterioration of the Bronze Age societies occurred progressively over a prolonged period, despite the widespread belief that the year 1177 BC marked a pivotal turning point. Major cities from Greece to Mesopotamia experienced a downturn that eventually resulted in their desertion, a fact supported by archaeological evidence.

Excavations have revealed that extensive destruction occurred at sites such as Mycenae and Tiryns, resulting in their eventual desertion.

Cline details the widespread destruction found at significant sites.

• The city of Ugarit sustained considerable damage due to a blaze during that period. Large accumulations of ash, along with collapsed structures and abandoned valuables, indicate that these events occurred around 1190 BC.
• Mycenae and Tiryns, key centers of Mycenaean culture,...

1177 B.C. Summary Numerous theories have been proposed to identify the trigger that led to the downturn in the Late Bronze Age.

The book delves into the enigma of what led to the collapse of societies during the Bronze Age. Cline determines that the collapse was a multifaceted event influenced by numerous factors.

The repercussions stemming from the incursions of the seafaring collectives referred to as the Sea Peoples.

Cline acknowledges the involvement of the Sea Peoples in the Collapse but challenges the prevailing view that these enigmatic entities were solely responsible for the widespread devastation. He scrutinizes the limited information extracted from Egyptian records and findings from archaeology, emphasizing the challenges associated with identifying the precise groups of sea raiders and determining their origins.

Our basic understanding of the early conditions and motivations that sparked the migration of the Sea Peoples from their original territories.

The conflicts that Ramses III had with the Sea Peoples are depicted in the relief sculptures and inscriptions at sites like Medinet Habu, which serve as the main sources of information about these groups. The sources enumerate six groups, including the Peleset, who are commonly linked with the biblical Philistines, as well as the...

1177 B.C. Summary The disintegration of societies during the Late Bronze Age mirrors the difficulties confronting our modern, interlinked global community.

In the final section of his work, Cline argues that the challenges faced by today's world, including climate change, resource depletion, social unrest, and patterns of migration, are reflective of the struggles that occurred in the period known as the Bronze Age Collapse.

The global economy's interconnectedness and the possibility of a widespread decline.

Cline highlights the parallels between the modern world's intertwined economic networks and those that were prevalent in the era of the Late Bronze Age. The breakdown of commerce and the cessation of resource distribution had catastrophic impacts on communities in the era of the Bronze Age, akin to the vulnerability of today's worldwide system to unexpected disruptions and jolts.

In the Late Bronze Age, tin held as much significance for societal functions as oil does in modern times.

The writer highlights the strategic importance of tin in the Late Bronze Age, likening its value to that of contemporary oil. The essential tin needed for the creation of bronze was predominantly sourced from mines in Afghanistan and underwent transportation over vast distances to reach ancient hubs like Egypt and the Aegean region....