New Books Network Eric H. Cline, "Love, War, and Diplomacy: The Discovery of the Amarna Letters and the Bronze Age World They Revealed" (Princeton UP, 2025)
Nov 14, 2025
Eric H. Cline, Professor of classics and anthropology at George Washington University, delves into his captivating new book, exploring the Amarna Letters' archaeological discovery in 1887. He shares insights about the letters' significance for understanding the diplomatic relationships of Ancient Egypt and its neighbors. Cline recounts the fierce competition among scholars to translate these vital texts, their portrayal of royal marriages and intrigue, and how social network analysis can enrich our understanding of the Bronze Age world.
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Contested Discovery Story
- The Amarna tablets were found in 1887 at Akhetaten and quickly dispersed through antiquities dealers.
- Eric H. Cline argues the “woman finding fertilizer” story likely covered up an illegal excavation and sale network.
A Fragmented Royal Archive
- About 400 clay tablets form the Amarna archive, split among royal, vassal, and school texts.
- Their dispersal across 14 museums on four continents hampers holistic interpretation and many tablets were likely lost.
Early Translators And Rivalries
- Early translators in the late 1880s worked with cuneiform and Akkadian soon after decipherment around 1850.
- Figures like Wallace Budge acquired batches and smuggled tablets to museums, sparking scholarly races and rivalry.
