Negotiating Exchange: Ebla and the International System of the Early Bronze Age

Abstract

This dissertation takes a new look at the international relations attested in the cuneiform archives recovered from Early Bronze Age Ebla (~ca. 2350 BCE, Middle Chronology). It is argued that a primary goal of Ebla's diplomatic relationships with the other major powers on the international scene was to ensure that trade paths remained open. It cooperated with other distant states – above all Mari on the Middle Euphrates – in order to profit from and dominate trade at the expense of lesser powers that were caught up in between them, such as Abarsal on the Upper Euphrates, and Manuwat, near the Euphrates between Ebla and Mari. Chapter 1 outlines the goal, method, and historical context. Chapter 2 offers a geographic overview of Ebla and its relations with its major neighbors. Chapter 3 establishes the context of Ebla's earliest relations with Mari, and how this led to Ebla's supremacy over its rival Abarsal. Chapter 4 situates Armi, one of Ebla's most important allies, in Cilicia, and shows how Ebla sought to capitalize on its geographic position, which allowed access to routes leading into Anatolia. Chapter 5 investigates Ebla's diplomatic and mercantile relations with Hassuwan, another power with an Anatolia connection and with which Ebla had important mercantile links. Chapter 6 explores the kingdom of Kakmium, for which a location in the Amuq valley, in between Armi and Ebla, is argued. Chapter 7 returns to Mari, and situates Ebla's later relations with that power in the light of the results of the preceding chapters. Chapter 8 offers conclusions and avenues for further research, while also pursuing initial investigations into the causes of the collapse of Ebla and its international system. Throughout the work, partial text editions and translations of original sources are offered, along with investigations into selected key terms.