Conference: Ancient Egypt not isolated from Mediterranean cultures
Archaeologists working around the Mediterranean met two weeks ago in Cairo to discuss intercultural relations between the countries of the region. The conference focused on theoretical and methodological issues related to the study of intercultural contacts in archaeology on the one hand, and on actual case studies of intercultural contact on the other.
Papers presented at the meeting dealt with a wide variety of topics, including the methods and theory of the study of contacts in archaeology, immigration patterns in different countries including Egypt, trade and exchange, the import and local imitation of foreign objects, the adoption of foreign religious ideas, influences in artistic and architectural styles and seafaring.
Although ancient Egypt is often seen by the wider public as a unique, united and rather isolated culture, the presentations made clear that Egypt had many and far- reaching contacts all over the Mediterranean. Not only did Egyptian objects and ideas reach the furthest corners of the region, but Mediterranean people, ideas and objects were also welcomed in Egypt itself.
Owing to archaeological discoveries and research, it is now seen that ancient Egyptians were in contact with their neighbours from prehistoric times and not, as is often believed, only since the Open Door policy opened up trade with the European Union. To illustrate these connections, on the fringe of the conference the Netherlands- Flemish Institute in Cairo (NVIC) has mounted a panel exhibition on intercultural contact between ancient Egypt and other countries of the Mediterranean. The exhibition, entitled “Ancient Egypt in the Mediterranean” and held in the garden of the Egyptian Museum, was opened by Zahi Hawass, secretary- general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and will last until the end of December. It highlights the friendly relationship between ancient Egypt and its neighbouring countries around the Mediterranean Sea, as well as telling the story of foreign groups who lived in Egypt in ancient times. The exhibition displays the far-reaching influences Egypt had on its neighbours and its involvement with regard to the trade routes of the ancient Mediterranean, together with how ancient Egyptians adopted foreign technologies and ideas.
Excerpted from an article by Nevine El-Aref for Al-Ahram Weekly
Book Review: War in Ancient Egypt: The New Kingdom (Ancient World at War)
In this book Anthony Spalinger, a well-known Egyptologist at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, introduces us to the Egyptian war machine under the war pharaohs of Dynasty 18 and the Ramesside dynasty.
Spalinger does not deal with the weapons of warfare in detail, but the focus (and therefore the strong point and the greatest contribution of the book) is on the socio-political aspects of warfare; the military classes and logistics, showing how the military was organized, fed, and equipped, which made the Egyptian war machine so effective and creating a world power. The sources analyzed and discussed include texts, iconography, and artefacts. Spalinger is also well acquainted with the German and even the Russian literature on the topic. Of great value to classicists are the many comparisons made, for example, to the way in which the armies of Alexander the Great were organized, again with regard to logistics.
The book has sixteen chapters. Each chapter has an excursus (printed in grey) which gives more information on logistical matters and other issues, and deals with the important literature in which such matters are discussed, followed by notes which also include references to the literature.
There is a chronology as well as maps showing the famous battles of Megiddo and of course Kadesh. Figures (line-drawings but also black-and-white photos) provide additional information on weapons, horses, and scenes of battles (seven dealing with Kadesh). It is quite ironic that the cover depicts the boy-pharaoh Tutankhamen in his chariot pursuing Kushites, although he cannot compare with the great warriors Thutmoses III and Ramses II. Nevertheless, it is a representation typical of the New Kingdom.
Spalinger’s book is no general overview or an introduction to warfare in Egypt covering all periods of Egyptian history. It is a sound and thorough “tour de force” on military logistics, an important contribution not only to Egyptology, but to the study of ancient warfare and warfare in general, and therefore essential reading for all military historians. The way in which the author devotes attention to the minutest details with precise mathematical calculations can be illustrated by the discussion of the Egyptian army under Thutmoses III in the Aruna pass. In spite of all the detail (exact times, e.g. travel speeds, food needed, amounts of troops, horses, etc.) the book is a joy to read.
Review by Sakkie Cornelius
