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The Sea Peoples & The Late Bronze Age Collapse // Ancient History Documentary (1200-1150 BC)

History Time・75 minutes read

Egypt, by the 12th century BC, had vast temple complexes and pyramids showcasing ancient kings' power, experiencing turmoil but maintaining a similar culture and gods for millennia. A fleet of sea peoples arrived around 1177 BC, leading to a slow decline of the Egyptian state and potentially contributing to the Late Bronze Age collapse.

Insights

  • Egypt, despite facing societal turmoil and invasions, maintained a consistent culture and gods over millennia, participating in a vast trade network from Britain to Afghanistan.
  • The Sea Peoples, a confederacy challenging the established order, invaded Egypt around 1177 BC, marking a significant battle that contributed to the Late Bronze Age collapse.
  • The collapse, driven by societal breakdown, environmental crises, and resource scarcity, led to the end of powerful kingdoms like Ugarit and Mycenaean Greece, potentially influenced by the sea peoples.
  • The Philistines, possibly originating from Greece or Crete, emerged post-Bronze Age collapse, showing influences from Greek culture in their attire, food, and artifacts, dominating in the late 12th to 11th century BC.

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Recent questions

  • Who were the Sea Peoples?

    The Sea Peoples were a confederacy of lands with diverse appearances and weaponry, challenging the established order in the Eastern Mediterranean around 1177 BC.

  • What was the Late Bronze Age collapse?

    The Late Bronze Age collapse was marked by societal breakdown, environmental crises, and resource scarcity, impacting civilizations across Europe and beyond.

  • What was the significance of the Nuragic civilization?

    The Nuragic civilization in Sardinia flourished for centuries, known for massive towers, skilled bronze production, and cultural connections across the Mediterranean.

  • Who were the Philistines and what was their origin?

    The Philistines were a group possibly originating from Crete or Greece, known for their martial culture, Aegean influences, and dominance in the late 12th to 11th century BC.

  • How did the Urnfield culture impact the Eastern Mediterranean?

    The Urnfield culture, emerging in Italy in the early 12th century BC, possibly due to military invasion, led to wide-ranging warriors seeking plunder and glory, impacting regions as far as the eastern Mediterranean due to environmental turmoil and climate changes.

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Summary

00:00

Sea Peoples: Egypt's Ancient Invaders and Collapse

  • Egypt, by the 12th century BC, was already ancient, with vast temple complexes and pyramids showcasing the power of kings from over a thousand years before.
  • Egypt had experienced societal turmoil, outside invasion, and dark ages, yet maintained a similar culture and gods over millennia, now part of a vast trade network reaching from Britain to Afghanistan.
  • Diplomatic correspondence between great kings, trade deals, and occasional wars were common, with nearly 300 cuneiform letters in Akkadian and Babylonian languages found at Amarna.
  • Reports of unrest emerged globally by the 12th century BC, with famine in Hatti and the burning of Mycenaean palaces in mainland Greece.
  • Around 1177 BC, a fleet of sea peoples arrived in Egypt, prompting Pharaoh Ramesses III to inscribe the events at Medinet Habu, depicting the invaders and their weaponry.
  • The sea peoples, including the Peleset, Tjekker, Denyen, and Weshesh, were a confederacy of lands with diverse appearances and weaponry, challenging the established order.
  • The sea peoples' invasion marked a significant battle for Egypt, leading to a slow decline of the Egyptian state despite Ramesses III's victory.
  • The sea peoples' identity and motives remain debated, with theories ranging from mercenaries to mass migrations, contributing to the Late Bronze Age collapse.
  • The Late Bronze Age collapse was marked by societal breakdown, environmental crises like droughts and earthquakes, and resource scarcity, impacting civilizations across Europe and beyond.
  • The collapse led to the end of powerful kingdoms, like Ugarit and Mycenaean Greece, with the sea peoples potentially playing a role in the downfall of the interconnected system of the Late Bronze Age.

25:25

Impact of Iron Age on Mediterranean Trade

  • Trade in Britain was lucrative, mainly sourced from Afghanistan around 12th century BC.
  • Iron began to be used around 3000 BC, requiring high heat levels for smelting.
  • Iron's widespread availability led to the rise of new elites and destabilization of societies.
  • Crisis-driven changes by 1200 BC led to uprisings and city destruction, replacing upper classes.
  • Sea peoples, possibly former citizens, raided and destabilized the Eastern Mediterranean.
  • Greek myths hint at sea peoples' origins and their impact on the region.
  • The collapse of the Bronze Age led to intense debates on its causes, including the sea peoples.
  • The sea peoples' attacks were widespread, not just from the sea, affecting various regions.
  • Phoenicians, known for their trade and alphabet, expanded across the Mediterranean from 10th century BC.
  • Earlier shipbuilding innovations allowed for long-distance sea travel before the Phoenicians' era.

49:40

Nuragic Culture: Towers, Bronze, and Trade

  • Sardinia, a picturesque island in the Mediterranean, is home to the mysterious Nuragic culture, known for colossal towers and sprawling complexes dominating the landscape.
  • The Nuragi builders constructed massive central towers, reaching 30 meters in height, surrounded by outer walls and additional towers, starting in the second millennium BC.
  • Initially debated, the purpose of these structures is now believed to be defensible home sites for protection and ownership marking, similar to Iron Age brochs in Scotland.
  • Sardinia's rich metal resources led to skilled bronze production, creating various objects like swords, daggers, and unique bronze statuettes depicting warriors and boats.
  • Evidence suggests Sardinia had links to the Mycenaean world, with copper and tin mining on the island, leading to cultural and trade connections across the Mediterranean.
  • The Nuragic civilization flourished for centuries, with evidence of iron working in the 13th century BC, indicating a significant societal change with individual tombs replacing collective burials.
  • The Giants of Mont'e Prama, large statues resembling the bronze statuettes, were discovered on the island, possibly representing a warrior aristocracy.
  • Sardinia's ties extended beyond the Mediterranean, with anchors suggesting efficient ships and connections to the Nordic Bronze Age, Egypt, and possibly Sicily.
  • The Sea Peoples, including the Shekelesh, were a mysterious group involved in raids and invasions, with evidence linking them to Sardinia and possibly Sicily.
  • The Ulu Burun shipwreck off Anatolia revealed a trading vessel carrying goods from various Bronze Age nations, possibly indicating a royal mission with multinational crew and diverse trade items.

01:14:50

Sea Peoples and Hittite Empire Collapse

  • Around 1180 BC, Ugarit faced a raid by seven ships, prompting King Amarappi to seek help from the King of Cyprus due to the absence of Ugarit's navy and army.
  • The Luca, part of the Sea Peoples, were mentioned in Egyptian sources and were involved in battles such as Kadesh in 1274 BC and raids on Egypt in 1210 BC and 1207 BC.
  • Lysa, likely the ancient Lycia, was the homeland of the Luca, a region with dry hilltops and ancient tombs, where illiteracy was common among its people.
  • Lycia emerged as a Neo-Hittite kingdom post the Hittite Empire's collapse, with a culture distinct from the Hittites, possibly speaking Luion, and being allies of Troy in Greek myths.
  • The Luca, considered pirates, launched raids on the Mycenaean world and Hittite overlords, sometimes forced into vassalage by the Hittite king.
  • The collapse of the Hittite Empire around 1180 BC was marked by wars, societal breakdown, and invasions, leading to the burning of Hatusha and the disappearance of the Hittite kingdom.
  • The Karkeisha, another Sea People, were mentioned attacking Egypt in 1207 BC and were possibly equated with Karya, a land neighboring Lycia in Anatolia.
  • Mycenaean Greece, a palatial culture with chariot-riding warrior lords, faced potential conflicts with the Hittite Empire, possibly linked to the Trojan War events.
  • Ahiyawa, likely representing the Achaeans of Homer, was a significant power to the west of the Hittites, possibly involved in trade embargoes and conflicts with Hittite vassals.
  • The expansion of the Mycenaean world, exemplified by figures like Artisawa and Madawada, led to conflicts with Hittite vassals and the burning of cities like Knossos on Crete, integrating Minoan culture into mainland Greece.

01:37:32

Mycenaean Warriors: Mercenaries and Sea Peoples

  • The Hittite king could be at war with one Archaean power and at peace with another, as suggested by the frescoes of Mycenaean citadels depicting war waged upon neighbors.
  • Written records of economic and military activities of palatial elites, particularly from Pylos, are found in Linear B tablets, referencing sailors called up for service.
  • Greek myths depict Greeks raiding around the world, with Homer calling protagonists "sackers of cities" and Odysseus reminiscing about past glories.
  • Mycenaean warriors are depicted in Egyptian art, possibly serving as mercenaries, with evidence suggesting their familiarity with the region.
  • The Achaeans, possibly the Ahiyawans of Hittite records, heavily relied on chariots and were known for attacks on Egypt, as mentioned in Greek myths.
  • Mycenaean cities are mentioned in Egyptian sources as the Tanahu during the era of Thutmose III, with cities like Mycenae, Napata, Kythera, Messina, and Thebes listed.
  • Mycenaean-style helmets and armor, similar to those of the Sea Peoples, are found in various archaeological sites, suggesting a connection between the two groups.
  • The Sea Peoples, including the Pelasgians, Shekelesh, Danuna, and Washesh, invaded Egypt around 1177 BC, possibly merging into local societies.
  • The Pelasgians are equated with the Philistines in the Old Testament, known for their martial culture and conflicts with the Israelites.
  • Extensive archaeological work in Philistine cities like Ashkelon and Ashdod hints at an incoming culture post-Bronze Age collapse, aligning with the Sea Peoples' presence.

02:00:29

Philistines: Greek Influence in Ancient Canaan

  • The Philistines may have been settled in Canaan under Egyptian influence before becoming independent by the 11th century.
  • The Philistines' origins are debated, with suggestions ranging from Greece, Crete, Illyria, and Western Anatolia, but evidence points to their distinct identity post-Bronze Age collapse.
  • Pottery from mainland Greece was widespread in the Mediterranean until the 13th century, transitioning to a style used by the Philistines, indicating a connection to Greece.
  • Philistine attire, including armor similar to Mycenaean Greece, and artifacts like a feather-topped helmet, suggest a link to Greek culture.
  • Changes in food and wear in the Philistine Pentapolis, such as Aegean-style cooking jugs and consumption of beef and pork, hint at Greek and Aegean influences.
  • Biblical references and archaeological findings suggest the Philistines may have originated from Crete or Greece, with a possible migration leading to a new collective identity.
  • The Philistines' golden age in the late 12th to 11th century aligns with their dominance, possibly reflected in figures like Goliath, with modern-day Gazans potentially descended from them.
  • The Pelleset, one of the Sea Peoples, are known from archaeology, with some merging with settled populations, while the Tajeker are depicted with Mycenaean armor.
  • The Danuna, equated with the Greeks in various sources, were among the Sea Peoples attacking Egypt in 1177 BC, with possible origins near Ugarit or Cyprus.
  • The Weshesh, another Sea People group, remain mysterious, with theories of Carian or Canaanite origins, possibly merging with the Israelite tribe of Asher, linking to the Trojan War and Roman origins.

02:24:24

Naohu2 sword shifts warfare; Urnfield culture impact.

  • Historian Robert Drewes suggests that the new slashing Naohu2 sword may have introduced a new form of warfare with sword-wielding infantry replacing chariots, potentially causing political instability in centralized states before 1200 BC.
  • The Urnfield culture, divided into subgroups, including the Proto-Villanovan group emerging in Italy in the early 12th century BC, lasting until the 10th century, possibly due to a military invasion, leading to wide-ranging warriors seeking plunder and glory, potentially impacting regions as far as the eastern Mediterranean due to environmental turmoil and climate changes.
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