Homer and the Bronze Age : The Reflection of Humanistic Ideals in Diplomatic Practices

"Peter Karavites presents a revisionist overview of Homeric scholarship, whose purpose is to bridge the gap between the "positivist" and "negativist" theories dominant in the greater part of the twentieth century. His investigation derives new insights from Homer's text and solves the age old question of the relationship between Homer and the Mycenaean age. He boldly provides a new interpretation of the diplomatic relations of the Mycenaean and Homeric times based on fresh textual examination of old archaeological material, new archaeological discoveries, and a much broader analytical focus, emphasizing social, economic, political, and cultural approaches that have transformed our understanding of ancient interstate relations contained in the Homeric Corpus. The author underscores the similarities between the Near Eastern diplomatic practices as well as practices analyzed in Homeric texts to highlight the relationship between Homeric times and the Mycenaean Age. Bronze Age and Homeric diplomatic envoy customs are treated in a series of chapters pertaining to Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, the littoral of the Eastern Mediterranean area, and the Aegean world. They treat practices such as envoy escorts, envoy protection and hospitality, symbolism of gift exchanges, royal marriages alliances, envoy credentials, and various other practices. Scholars and students of history, political science, diplomacy, archaeology and social relations will benefit from this work."--Publisher's website Peter Karavites presents a revisionist overview of Homeric scholarship, bridging the gap between the “positivist” and “negativist” theories dominant in the greater part of the twentieth century. His investigation derives new insights from Homer's text and solves the age-old question of the relationship between Homer and the Mycenaean age. He boldly provides a new interpretation of the diplomatic relations of the Mycenaean and Homeric times based on fresh textual examination of old archaeological material, new archaeological discoveries, and a much broader analytical focus, emphasizing social, economic, political, and cultural approaches that have transformed our understanding of ancient interstate relations contained in the Homeric Corpus. The author underscores the similarities between the Near Eastern diplomatic practices as well as practices analyzed in Homeric texts to highlight the relationship between Homeric times and the Mycenaean Age. Bronze Age and Homeric diplomatic envoy customs are treated in a series of chapters pertaining to Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, the littoral of the Eastern Mediterranean area, and the Aegean world. They treat practices such as envoy escorts, envoy protection and hospitality, symbolism of gift exchanges, royal marriages alliances, envoy credentials, and various other practices, and will be of interest to scholars and students of history, political science, diplomacy, archaeology and social relations. Peter Karavites Presents A Revisionist Overview Of Homeric Scholarship, Whose Purpose Is To Bridge The Gap Between The Positivist And Negativist Theories Dominant In The Greater Part Of The Twentieth Century. His Investigation Derives New Insights From Homer's Text And Solves The Age-old Question Of The Relationship Between Homer And The Mycenaean Age. He Boldly Provides A New Interpretation Of The Diplomatic Relations Of The Mycenaean And Homeric Times Based On Fresh Textual Examination Of Old Archaeological Material, New Archaeological Discoveries, And A Much Broader Analytical Focus, Emphasizing Social, Economic, Political, And Cultural Approaches That Have Transformed Our Understanding Of Ancient Interstate Relations Contained In The Homeric Corpus. The Author Underscores The Similarities Between The Near Eastern Diplomatic Practices As Well As Practices Analyzed In Homeric Texts To Highlight The Relationship Between Homeric Times And The Mycenaean Age. Bronze Age And Homeric Diplomatic Envoy Customs Are Treated In A Series Of Chapters Pertaining To Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, The Littoral Of The Eastern Mediterranean Area, And The Aegean World. They Treat Practices Such As Envoy Escorts, Envoy Protection And Hospitality, Symbolism Of Gift Exchanges, Royal Marriages Alliances, Envoy Credentials, And Various Other Practices.--back Cover. Peter Karavites. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 215-234) And Index. This scholarly and up-to-date investigation of Bronze Age and Near Eastern literature and Homer's poetry reveals fascinating similarities between Near Eastern and Homeric Diplomatic Practices and the enduring influence of Humanistic Ideals on Bronze Age customs and practices.