Publisher's Synopsis
This study examines the influence of Egypt on the cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean using the small kingdom of Ugarit as an example. A detailed analysis of the various cross-cultural contacts (political, commercial and permanent) between Egypt and Ugarit during the Late Bronze Age seeks to illustrate their impact as well as the resulting cultural change. Therefore, a wide variety of methods is used, including archaeological, philological, religious, art-historical, as well as sociological. With respect to the political relations between the two kingdoms, this study analyses all relevant sources in order to trace their contacts, beginning in the Amarna period and continuing until Ugarits demise. This study demonstrates that the relationship between the two kingdoms was much closer than previously assumed, and that Ugarit was in fact at one point under Egyptian suzerainty. After examining the political relations, a detailed discussion of trade relations is conducted. Here, the study draws conclusions regarding the infrastructure and logistics, the people and institutions trading, as well as the goods traded. Results concerning the material side of this exchange are reached both through a detailed analysis of all relevant textual sources and by screening the material culture of Ugarit for goods imported from Egypt, as well as by searching the Ugaritic lexicon for Egyptian loanwords. Based on an analysis of evidence for the permanent presence of Egyptians in Ugaritic society, the study then turns to the effect of consolidation of intercultural contacts. The main evidence for Egyptian presence in Ugarit stems from the Ugaritic textual sources, especially the onomasticon contained therein, which not only allows identification of individuals, but also provides information on the social standing and functions of Egyptians living in the kingdom of Ugarit. An analysis of archaeological remains and artefacts showing the presence of Egyptians in Ugarit complements the socio-historical reconstruction. The many contacts between Egypt and Ugarit provided the ideal conditions for cultural changes. In analyzing these changes, the study focusses first on the cultural influence of Egypt on Ugaritic craftsmanship, which is illustrated by Ugaritic imitations of Egyptian works of art. After that, an examination of Egyptian influence on the divine and royal iconography of Ugarit shows that this was not just the result of some kind of meaningless eclecticism, as usually assumed. Based on these insights, the question is posed how a foreign iconography could be used to create an indigenous identity. Furthermore, the aspect of cultural self-perception is addressed for the first time. Thus, the study shows that the increasing orientation of Ugarit towards Egypt in its material as well as non-material culture at the end of the 13th century BC was not only a consequence of contact between the two kingdoms, but also an instrument for political change.
