| Abstrakt: |
Amanda H. Podany's book, "Weavers, Scribes, and Kings: A New History of the Ancient Near East," offers a comprehensive overview of ancient Near Eastern history using cuneiform script found on clay tablets. The book includes microhistories of ordinary individuals, such as beer brewers and laundrymen, alongside accounts of kingdoms and rulers. By examining newly discovered cuneiform tablets, the book provides a nuanced understanding of the region's history. It covers the rise and fall of empires like the Assyrian, neo-Babylonian, and Persian empires, as well as diplomatic alliances and cultural achievements. The author aims to bridge the knowledge gap between lesser-known ancient civilizations and more well-known ones. [Extracted from the article] |
