Weavers, Scribes, and Kings

A sweeping history of the ancient Near East from 3500 to 323 BCE,Weavers, Scribes, and Kings is built around the life stories of many ancient men and women. Their habits of daily life, beliefs, triumphs, and crises, and the changes that they faced over time are explored through their own written words and the buildings, cities, and empires in which they lived.

Amanda H. Podany is Professor Emeritus of History at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and the author of Brotherhood of Kings: How International Relations Shaped the Ancient Near East and The Ancient Near East: A Very Short Introduction. She is also the author and instructor of an audio and video lecture series for Wondrium called Ancient Mesopotamia: Life in the Cradle of Civilization.

- Introduction
- 1. Uruk, the First City: Builders and Organizers, 3500-3300 BCE
- 2. The Uruk Period: Colonizers, Scribes, and the Gods, 3300-3000 BCE
- 3. The Early Dynastic Period: Kings and Subjects, 2900-2400 BCE
- 4. The Early Dynastic Period: Queens, Diplomats, and Weavers, 2400-2300 BCE
- 5. The Early Dynastic Period: Royal Couples, Divine Couples, and Envoys, 2400-2300 BCE
- 6. The Akkadian Period: A Conqueror and a Priestess, 2300-2200 BCE
- 7. The Ur III Period: Brickmakers, Litigants, and Slaves, 2200-2000 BCE
- 8. The Isin-Larsa Period: Kings and Military Commanders 2000-1800 BCE
- 9. Merchants and Families
- 10. Princesses and Musicians 11. The Old Babylonian Period: A Lawgiver, Land Overseers, and Soldiers, 1792-1750 BCE
- 12. The Old Babylonian Period: Naditums and Scribal Students, 1792-1712 BCE
- 13. The Late Old Babylonian Period: Barbers, Mercenaries, and Exiles, 1742-1550 BCE
- 14. The Late Bronze Age: Businessmen, Charioteers, and Translators, 1550-1350 BCE
- 15. The Late Bronze Age: Gift Recipients and Royal In-Laws, 1450-1333 BCE
- 16. The Late Bronze Age: Negotiators, Sea Traders, and Famine Sufferers, 1333-1000 BCE
- 17. Empire Builders, Sculptors, and Deportees 18. The Neo-Assyrian Period: Conspirators, Diviners, and Officials, 681-648 BCE
- 19. The Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian Periods: Gardeners, Artisans, and a Centenarian Priestess, 648-544 BCE
- 20. The Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid Periods: Brewers, Rebels, and Exorcists 544-323 BCE
- Cast of Characters
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Bibliography