1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed: Revised and Updated

The Sea Peoples invaded Egypt in 1177 B.C., causing the Late Bronze Age collapse. Eric Cline's new account of the causes of this First Dark Ages reveals how multiple interconnected failures, including invasion, revolt, earthquakes, drought, and the cutting of international trade routes, led to the end of the vibrant multicultural world of these great civilizations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In 1177 B.C., a group of enigmatic marauders known as the Sea Peoples invaded Egypt, marking a significant turning point in world history. The pharaoh's army and navy valiantly fought against these invaders, managing to defeat them, but the victory left Egypt weakened and vulnerable. As a result, Egypt, along with many neighboring civilizations, began a gradual decline that would ultimately lead to the collapse of the Bronze Age civilization.

Over the course of just a few decades, kingdoms fell like dominoes, and the once-thriving economies and cultures that had spanned from Greece to Egypt and Mesopotamia came to an abrupt end. Writing systems, technology, and monumental architecture disappeared, leaving a void in human history.

However, it is important to note that the Sea Peoples alone could not have caused such widespread destruction. The collapse of the Late Bronze Age was the result of a complex interplay of factors, including invasion and revolt, earthquakes, drought, and the cutting of international trade routes.

In his book, 1177 B.C., Eric Cline delves into the intricate details of these events and their impact on the civilizations of the time. He brings to life the vibrant multicultural world of the Late Bronze Age, showcasing the empires and globalized peoples that thrived in this era. Cline argues that the very interdependence of these civilizations was their downfall, as their interconnectedness made them vulnerable to external threats and internal conflicts.

The book offers a compelling combination of narrative and the latest scholarship, providing a fresh perspective on the causes of the Late Bronze Age collapse. It sheds new light on the complex ties that gave rise to these civilizations and explores the factors that ultimately led to their downfall.

The collapse of the Late Bronze Age marked a significant transition in world history, paving the way for the emergence of classical Greece. The Greeks, who had been influenced by the civilizations of the Late Bronze Age, developed their own unique culture, philosophy, and political system, which would have a lasting impact on the world.

In conclusion, the collapse of the Late Bronze Age was a complex and multifaceted event that resulted from a combination of factors, including invasion and revolt, earthquakes, drought, and the cutting of international trade routes. Eric Cline's book, 1177 B.C., provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of this period, shedding new light on the complex ties that gave rise to, and ultimately destroyed, the flourishing civilizations of the Late Bronze Age.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 133 x 202 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691208015