The Amarna Letters, 3,000-year-old clay tablets discovered in Egypt, reshaped our understanding of ancient Egyptian diplomacy. Unlike traditional Egyptian papyrus, these tablets were written in cuneiform Akkadian, the lingua franca of neighboring civilizations, revealing that the messages originated outside Egypt. Dating to the 14th century BCE, during Pharaoh Akhenaten’s reign, the letters capture communications between Egypt’s rulers, vassal lords, and powerful foreign kings. Some letters conveyed deference and reports from subordinates, while others announced gifts or marriage proposals between equals. More than mere correspondence, they were ceremonial objects, read aloud and stored for both ceremonial and archival purposes. Ultimately, the Amarna Letters redefine ancient Egypt not as an isolated civilization, but as a major player in a complex international system governed by codified rules and intricate rituals.
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