Local Power in Old Babylonian Mesopotamia (Studies in Egyptology and the Ancient Near East)

Amazon.com Price: $34.95 (as of 03/05/2019 04:42 PST- Details)

Description

This book specializes in certain local powers in Old Babylonian Mesopotamia (ca. 2000 1595 B.C.), namely the chief of the city (rabianum), the elders, the city, and the assembly. This can be a novel approach to Old Babylonian history that allows us to take into account the constituency, activities, and sphere of influence of local institutions of authority, and the way they coped with state officials and royal policies. Specializing in local powers changes the traditional manner of looking at the state. This is so because far from being a monolithic entity that unilaterally made decisions concerning people, water, land, and other resources, the state had to care for local institutions that were not all the time willing to accept royal decisions passively. The state was once incessantly unable to penetrate deeply into traditional social and economic practices that were controlled by local leaders, as is most apparent in the conflict of jurisdiction related to land distribution. Alternatively, the state did surreptitiously co-opt local leaders into the royal domain. The methodology and conclusions of this case study of local authorities in Old Babylonian Mesopotamia can be useful for those studying other ancient states and complex societies.

Home » Shop » Books » Subjects » Arts and Photography » History and Criticism » History » Americas » United States » State » Local Power in Old Babylonian Mesopotamia (Studies in Egyptology and the Ancient Near East)

Recent Products