Amorites and the Bronze Age Near East: The Making of a Regional Identity

Aaron A. Burke explores the evolution of Amorite identity in the Near East from 2500–1500 BC, tracing the migration of Amorite refugees and the acquisition of economic and political power through mercenarism and trade. He also examines how the establishment of Amorite kingdoms relied on traditional means of legitimation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 17 December 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Aaron A. Burke delves into the intricate tapestry of Amorite identity in the Near East, spanning from approximately 2500 to 1500 BC. Within this captivating period, he sets the stage for the emergence of a cohesive and renowned collective identity among the Amorites, one of the most prominent groups in the ancient Near Eastern realm. Against the backdrop of Akkadian imperial intervention and the gradual deterioration of environmental conditions, Burke meticulously traces the migration of Amorite refugees from agropastoral communities into neighboring regions. He unveils how mercenarism, a vital force in Mesopotamia and Egypt, played a pivotal role in the acquisition of economic and political power between 2100 and 1900 BC. Furthermore, Burke delves into the intricate mechanisms that shaped the establishment of Amorite kingdoms across the Near East, emphasizing the reliance on traditional means of legitimation and the multifaceted contributions of trade, warfare, and the exchange of personnel to the formation of an Amorite koiné. By offering a novel perspective on identity at various social hierarchies across time and space, this volume makes a significant contribution to the broader realm of understanding identity in other ancient societies.

Weight: 1050g
Dimension: 183 x 258 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108495967