Course Syllabus

The course schedule or readings are subject to change. Any changes made will be announced in class as well as on the course Canvas website, with at least a week’s notice.

 

Part I: Archaeology of Violence and Warfare

 

Week 1: Introduction to the Course

 

March 28– Introduction to the Course: Defining Warfare, Violence and Conflict

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Map Quiz Terms Handout Download Map Quiz Terms Handout

Required Reading:

• Otterbein, K.F. 2004 How War Began, Texas A&M University Press, College Station- Chapter 1, “Introduction,” pages 3-21 Download Otterbein, K.F. 2004 How War Began, Texas A&M University Press, College Station- Chapter 1, “Introduction,” pages 3-21

 

March 30- The Anthropology of Warfare                       

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Required Reading:

• Keeley L.H. War Before Civilization: The Myth of the Peaceful Savage, Oxford University Press, Chapter 1 “The Pacified Past: The Anthropology of War” pages 3-24 and Chapter 2 “The Dogs of War: The Prevalence and Importance of War” pages 25-40 Download Keeley L.H. War Before Civilization: The Myth of the Peaceful Savage, Oxford University Press, Chapter 1 “The Pacified Past: The Anthropology of War” pages 3-24 and Chapter 2 “The Dogs of War: The Prevalence and Importance of War” pages 25-40

           

Recommended Reading:

• Glowacki, L., Wilson, M.L., Wrangham, R.W. 2020 "The evolutionary anthropology of war" Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 178, pages 963-982 Download Glowacki, L., Wilson, M.L., Wrangham, R.W. 2020 "The evolutionary anthropology of war" Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 178, pages 963-982
• Otterbein, K.F. 2009 The Anthropology of War, Waveland Press
• Nielsen, A.H., W.H. Walker eds., 2009 Warfare in Cultural Context: Practice, Agency and the Archaeology of Violence, University of Arizona Press
• Thrope, J.N. 2003 “Anthropology, Archaeology and the Origin of Warfare” World Prehistory 35(10); pages 145-165 Download Thrope, J.N. 2003 “Anthropology, Archaeology and the Origin of Warfare” World Prehistory 35(10); pages 145-165

 

 

Week 2: Violence and Early Humans

 

April 4- Primates, Hominids and Early Humans: Are We Programmed to Fight?

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Map Quiz at the Start of Class

Required Reading:

• Givens, R.D. 2009, “Aggression in Nonhuman Primates: Implications for Understanding Human Behavior” in Nielsen and Walker 2009 Warfare in Cultural Context: Practice, Agency and the Archaeology of Violence, University of Tucson Press; pages 263-280 Download Givens, R.D. 2009, “Aggression in Nonhuman Primates: Implications for Understanding Human Behavior” in Nielsen and Walker 2009 Warfare in Cultural Context: Practice, Agency and the Archaeology of Violence, University of Tucson Press; pages 263-280
• Otterbein, K. 2009 The Anthropology of War, Waveland Press. “Origins of War: Two Paths” pages 65-82 Download Otterbein, K. 2009 The Anthropology of War, Waveland Press. “Origins of War: Two Paths” pages 65-82

 

 Recommended Reading:

• Corning, P.A. 1975 “An Evolutionary Paradigm for the Study of Human Aggression” in Nettleship and Givens, eds. War, Its Causes and Correlates Mouton; pages 357-387 Download Corning, P.A. 1975 “An Evolutionary Paradigm for the Study of Human Aggression” in Nettleship and Givens, eds. War, Its Causes and Correlates Mouton; pages 357-387

 

April 6: Class Canceled

 

 

Week 3: The Archaeology of Warfare Part I

 

April 11- The Case for Human Sacrifice in the Ancient Middle East

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Required Reading:

• M. Schwartz, 2011 “Archaeology and Sacrifice” in G.M. Schwartz and A. Porter, Sacred Killing: The Archaeology of Sacrifice in the Ancient Middle East, pages 1-32 Download M. Schwartz, 2011 “Archaeology and Sacrifice” in G.M. Schwartz and A. Porter, Sacred Killing: The Archaeology of Sacrifice in the Ancient Middle East, pages 1-32

 

Recommended Reading:

• Pongratz-Leisten, B. “Sacrifice in the Ancient Middle East: Offering and Ritual Killing” in G.M. Schwartz and A. Porter (2011), Sacred Killing: The Archaeology of Sacrifice in the Ancient Middle East, pages 291-304 Download Pongratz-Leisten, B. “Sacrifice in the Ancient Middle East: Offering and Ritual Killing” in G.M. Schwartz and A. Porter (2011), Sacred Killing: The Archaeology of Sacrifice in the Ancient Middle East, pages 291-304
• Alberto Ravinell Green, The Role of Human Sacrifice in the Ancient Middle East (Missoula, Montana: Scholars Press, 1975)

 

April 13- The Evidence of Warfare: Bioarchaeology and Iconography

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Required Reading:

• Walker, P.L. 2001, “A Bioarchaeological Perspective on the History of Violence” 2001 Annual Review of Anthropology 30, pages 573-596 Download Walker, P.L. 2001, “A Bioarchaeological Perspective on the History of Violence” 2001 Annual Review of Anthropology 30, pages 573-596

 

Recommended Reading:

• Battini, L. 2016. Making Pictures of War: Realia et Imaginaria in the Iconography of the Ancient Near East. Archaeopress Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology.
• Nigro, L. 1998 “The Two Steles of Sargon: Iconography and Visual Propaganda at the Beginning of Royal Akkadian Relief” Iraq 60; pages 85-102 Download Nigro, L. 1998 “The Two Steles of Sargon: Iconography and Visual Propaganda at the Beginning of Royal Akkadian Relief” Iraq 60; pages 85-102
• Pearson, M.P., Thorpe, I.J.N, eds. 2005 Warfare, Violence and Slavery in Prehistory. BAR International Series 1374, Hadrian Book Ltd
• Soltysiak, A. 2017 “Antemortem Cranial Trauma in Ancient Mesopotamia” International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 27, pages 118-128 Download Soltysiak, A. 2017 “Antemortem Cranial Trauma in Ancient Mesopotamia” International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 27, pages 118-128
• Willey, P. 1990 Prehistoric Warfare on the Great Plains: Skeletal Analysis of the Crow Creek Massacre Victims, Garland

 

 

Week 4: The Archaeology of Warfare Part II

 

April 18- The Evidence of Warfare: Weapons (and Tools)

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Required Reading:

• Gabriel R., and Metz K.S. 1991 From Sumer to Rome, Greenwood Press; Chapter 3 “Weapons and Lethality” pages 47-80 Download Gabriel R., and Metz K.S. 1991 From Sumer to Rome, Greenwood Press; Chapter 3 “Weapons and Lethality” pages 47-80

 

Recommended Reading:

• Trimm, C. 2017 Fighting for the King and the Gods: A Survey of Warfare in the Ancient Middle East. SBL Press. Chapter 7 “Weapons and Armor” pages 513-552 Download Trimm, C. 2017 Fighting for the King and the Gods: A Survey of Warfare in the Ancient Middle East. SBL Press. Chapter 7 “Weapons and Armor” pages 513-552
• Shimelmitz R., and Rosenberg D. 2013 “Dull-edges Weapons and Low-level Fighting in the Late Prehistoric Southern Levant” An Evolutionary Paradigm for the Study of Human Aggression” Cambridge Archaeological Journal 23(3); pages 433-452 Download Shimelmitz R., and Rosenberg D. 2013 “Dull-edges Weapons and Low-level Fighting in the Late Prehistoric Southern Levant” An Evolutionary Paradigm for the Study of Human Aggression” Cambridge Archaeological Journal 23(3); pages 433-452

 

April 20 – The Evidence of Warfare: Fortifications and Battlefields

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Required Reading:

• Düring, B.S 2011 “Fortifications and Fabrications: Reassessing the Emergence of Fortifications in Prehistoric Asia Minor.” In Düring, Wossink and Akkermans eds. Correlates of Complexity, Nederlands Instituut Voor Het Nabije Oosten; pages 69-86 Download Düring, B.S 2011 “Fortifications and Fabrications: Reassessing the Emergence of Fortifications in Prehistoric Asia Minor.” In Düring, Wossink and Akkermans eds. Correlates of Complexity, Nederlands Instituut Voor Het Nabije Oosten; pages 69-86

 

Recommended Reading:

• Burgess, C., Topping P., Mordant C., and Maddison M., eds. 1988 Enclosures and Defenses in the Neolithic of Western Europe. BAR I.S. no. 403(i), British Archaeological Reports
• Burke, A. 2008 Walled Up to Heaven: The Evolution of Middle Bronze Age Fortification Strategies in the Levant. Eisenbrauns, Winona Lake, Indiana

 

 

Week 5: Violence Before Warfare?

           

April 25– Discussion Class Number 1: Why do we fight?

No assigned readings, but come prepared to talk in groups for a graded discussion.

 

April 27 – Earliest Warfare? Raiding and Small-Scale Violence

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Required Reading:

• Selover “Weapons, Warfare, and Women: The Dangerous Lives of Early Bronze Age Women in Central Anatolia” Journal of Conflict Archaeology 15(3), pages 176-191 Download Selover “Weapons, Warfare, and Women: The Dangerous Lives of Early Bronze Age Women in Central Anatolia” Journal of Conflict Archaeology 15(3), pages 176-191

 

Recommended Reading:

• Kelly, R.C., 2007. Warless Societies and the Origin of War. University of Michigan
• Otterbein, K., 2004. How War Began. Texas A&M University Press

 

Part II: A Chronology of Warfare

 

Week 6 – Warfare at the Rise of Urbanism (ca. 4000-2000 BCE)

 

May 2- The Kings of Akkad: The First Empire

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Final Project Subject Due at Start of Class    

Required Reading:

• Hamblin, W.J. 2006 Warfare in the Ancient Middle East to 1600 BC: Holy Warriors at the Dawn of History. “The Akkadian empire” pages 73-102 Download Hamblin, W.J. 2006 Warfare in the Ancient Middle East to 1600 BC: Holy Warriors at the Dawn of History. “The Akkadian empire” pages 73-102

 

Recommended Reading:

• Ferrill, A. 1985 The Origins of War from the Stone Age to Alexander the Great, Thames and Hudson
• Gabriel, R., and A. Metz, 1991 From Sumer to Rome: The Military Capabilities of Ancient Armies. Greenwood Press

 

May 4 - The Trojan War: Fact or Fiction         

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Required Reading:

• Bryce, T. 2006, The Kingdom of the Hittites, Oxford University Press, Chapter 14 “The Trojan War: Myth or Reality?” pages 392-405 Download Bryce, T. 2006, The Kingdom of the Hittites, Oxford University Press, Chapter 14 “The Trojan War: Myth or Reality?” pages 392-405

 

Recommended Reading:

• Bryce, 2006 The Trojans and Their Neighbors (2006), Routledge

 

 

Week 7- The Late Bronze Age (ca. 1600-1100 BCE)

 

May 9 - The Late Bronze Age and the Battle of Kadesh, Part I: Battle Prep

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Required Reading:

• Santosuosso A. 1996 “Kadesh Revisited: Reconstructing the Battle Between the Egyptians and the Hittites” The Journal of Military History 60:3, pages 423-444 Download Santosuosso A. 1996 “Kadesh Revisited: Reconstructing the Battle Between the Egyptians and the Hittites” The Journal of Military History 60:3, pages 423-444

Additional Reading on Egyptian Military and Weapons Download Additional Reading on Egyptian Military and Weapons

Additional Reading on Hittite Military and Weapons Download Additional Reading on Hittite Military and Weapons

 

Recommended Reading:

• Bryce 2003 Letters of the Great Kings of the Ancient Middle East, “The Interaction of the Players: Imperial Administration and International Relationships” pages 38-49 and “The Club of Royal Brothers” pages 70-88 Download Bryce 2003 Letters of the Great Kings of the Ancient Middle East, “The Interaction of the Players: Imperial Administration and International Relationships” pages 38-49 and “The Club of Royal Brothers” pages 70-88
• Pearson, W. 2010 “Ramses II and the Battle of Kadesh: A Miraculous Victory?” Ancient History, Resources for Teachers, 40:1, pages 1-20 Download Pearson, W. 2010 “Ramses II and the Battle of Kadesh: A Miraculous Victory?” Ancient History, Resources for Teachers, 40:1, pages 1-20
• Spalinger A. 2003 “The Battle of Kadesh: The Chariot Frieze at Abydos” Aeypten und Levante, Vol 13, pages 163-199 Download Spalinger A. 2003 “The Battle of Kadesh: The Chariot Frieze at Abydos” Aeypten und Levante, Vol 13, pages 163-199
• Spalinger, A.J. 2011 “Military Institutions and Warfare: Pharaonic” in A Companion to Ancient Egypt, Vol. 1B. Lloyd, ed. pages 425-445 Download Spalinger, A.J. 2011 “Military Institutions and Warfare: Pharaonic” in A Companion to Ancient Egypt, Vol. 1B. Lloyd, ed. pages 425-445
• Spalinger, A.J. 2005 War in Ancient Egypt: The New Kingdom, Blackwell Publishing
• Partridge, R.B., 2003 Fighting Pharaohs: Weapons and Warfare in Ancient Egypt, Peartree Publishing

 

May 11- The Late Bronze Age and the Battle of Kadesh - Reenactment

 

 

Week 8- Total Empire: The Late Bronze Age to the Neo-Assyrians (ca. 1600-500 BCE)

 

May 16- Collapse, and the ‘Sea Peoples’

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Battle of Kadesh Write Up Due at the Start of Class 

Required Reading:

• Millek, J.M. 2017 “Sea Peoples, Philistines, and the Destruction of Cities: A Critical Examination of Destruction Layers ‘Caused’ by the ‘Sea Peoples’” In Sea Peoples Up-To-Date,M. Fischer and T. Bürge, eds., Austrian Academy of Sciences Press, pages 113-140 Download Millek, J.M. 2017 “Sea Peoples, Philistines, and the Destruction of Cities: A Critical Examination of Destruction Layers ‘Caused’ by the ‘Sea Peoples’” In Sea Peoples Up-To-Date,M. Fischer and T. Bürge, eds., Austrian Academy of Sciences Press, pages 113-140

 

Recommended Reading:

• Ben-Dor Evian, S. 2016 “The Battles between Ramesses III and the ‘Sea-Peoples:’ When, Where and Who? An Iconic Analysis of the Egyptian Reliefs” Zeitschrift für Ägyptische Sprache und Altertumskunde 143(2), pages 151-168 Download Ben-Dor Evian, S. 2016 “The Battles between Ramesses III and the ‘Sea-Peoples:’ When, Where and Who? An Iconic Analysis of the Egyptian Reliefs” Zeitschrift für Ägyptische Sprache und Altertumskunde 143(2), pages 151-168
• Ben-Dor Evian, S., 2017 “Ramesses III and the ‘Sea-peoples’: Towards a New Philistine Paradigm” Oxford Journal of Archaeology 36(3), pages 267-285 Download Ben-Dor Evian, S., 2017 “Ramesses III and the ‘Sea-peoples’: Towards a New Philistine Paradigm” Oxford Journal of Archaeology 36(3), pages 267-285
• Jung, R. 2017 “The Sea Peoples After Three Millennia: Possibilities and Limitations of Historical Reconstruction” In Sea Peoples Up-To-Date,M. Fischer and T. Bürge, eds., Austrian Academy of Sciences Press, pages 23-42 Download Jung, R. 2017 “The Sea Peoples After Three Millennia: Possibilities and Limitations of Historical Reconstruction” In Sea Peoples Up-To-Date,M. Fischer and T. Bürge, eds., Austrian Academy of Sciences Press, pages 23-42
• Oren, E.D. 2000 The Sea Peoples and Their World: A Reassessment. University of Pennsylvania Press

           

May 18- The Neo-Assyrian War Machine: Death and Destruction

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Required Reading:     

• Faust, A. 2015 “Settlement, Economy and Demography under Assyrian Rule in the West: The Territories of the Former Kingdom of Israel as a Test Case.” Journal of the American Oriental Society, 135:4, pages 765-789 Download Faust, A. 2015 “Settlement, Economy and Demography under Assyrian Rule in the West: The Territories of the Former Kingdom of Israel as a Test Case.” Journal of the American Oriental Society, 135:4, pages 765-789

           

Recommended Reading:        

• De Backer, F. 2009 “Some Basic Tactics of Neo-Assyrian Warfare 2: Siege Battles” State Archives of Assyria Bulletin, XVIII, pages 265-286 Download De Backer, F. 2009 “Some Basic Tactics of Neo-Assyrian Warfare 2: Siege Battles” State Archives of Assyria Bulletin, XVIII, pages 265-286
• Hackett, J.W., 1989, Warfare in the Ancient World Facts on File “The Assyrians” pages 36-53 Download Hackett, J.W., 1989, Warfare in the Ancient World Facts on File “The Assyrians” pages 36-53
• Jacoby, R. 1991 “The Representation and Identification of Cities on Assyrian Reliefs” Israel Exploration Journal, Vol 41:1/3, pages 112-131 Download Jacoby, R. 1991 “The Representation and Identification of Cities on Assyrian Reliefs” Israel Exploration Journal, Vol 41:1/3, pages 112-131

 

 

Week 9- Biblical Warfare and the Persians (ca. 500-300 BCE)

 

May 23- Biblical Warfare: The Battle of Lachish     

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Lachish Handout Download Lachish Handout

Required Reading:

• Ussishkin, D. 1990 “The Assyrian Attack on Lachish: The Archaeological Evidence from the Southwest Corner of the Site” Tel Aviv 17:1; pages 53-86 Download Ussishkin, D. 1990 “The Assyrian Attack on Lachish: The Archaeological Evidence from the Southwest Corner of the Site” Tel Aviv 17:1; pages 53-86

           

Recommended Reading:

• Bagg, A.M. 2013 “Palestine under Assyrian Rule: A New Look at the Assyrian Imperial Policy in the West. Journal of the American Oriental Society, 133:1, pages 119-144 Download Bagg, A.M. 2013 “Palestine under Assyrian Rule: A New Look at the Assyrian Imperial Policy in the West. Journal of the American Oriental Society, 133:1, pages 119-144
• Katz, H. and Faust, A. 2012 “The Assyrian Destruction Layer at Tel ‘Eton” Israel Exploration Journal, 62:1, pages 22-53. Download Katz, H. and Faust, A. 2012 “The Assyrian Destruction Layer at Tel ‘Eton” Israel Exploration Journal, 62:1, pages 22-53.
• Ussishkin, D. 1980 “The ‘Lachish Reliefs” and the City of Lachish” Israel Exploration Journal Vol 30.3/4, pages 174-195 Download Ussishkin, D. 1980 “The ‘Lachish Reliefs” and the City of Lachish” Israel Exploration Journal Vol 30.3/4, pages 174-195

 

May 25 – Cyrus the Great and the Persian Empire      

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Text of the Cyrus Cylinder Download Text of the Cyrus Cylinder

Required Reading:

• Hackett, J.W., 1989, Warfare in the Ancient World Facts on File “The Persians” pages 82-103 Download Hackett, J.W., 1989, Warfare in the Ancient World Facts on File “The Persians” pages 82-103

 

Recommended Reading:

• Piller, C.K. 2013 “The Cadusii in Archaeology? Remarks on the Achaemenid Period (Iron Age IV) in Gilan and Talesh” Iran and the Caucasus 17, pages 115-151 Download Piller, C.K. 2013 “The Cadusii in Archaeology? Remarks on the Achaemenid Period (Iron Age IV) in Gilan and Talesh” Iran and the Caucasus 17, pages 115-151
• Razmjou (2013) Curtis J. & Tallis N. (eds.), Forgotten Empire. The World of Ancient Persia, (British Museum Press) “Transport and Warfare” pages 210-235 Download Razmjou (2013) Curtis J. & Tallis N. (eds.), Forgotten Empire. The World of Ancient Persia, (British Museum Press) “Transport and Warfare” pages 210-235
• Holland, T. 2005 Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West, Anchor Books
• Bartolini, P. 1988 The Phoenicians Bompiana; “Army, Navy and Warfare” pages 132-139 Download Bartolini, P. 1988 The Phoenicians Bompiana; “Army, Navy and Warfare” pages 132-139
• Morillo S., Black J. Lococo P. 2008 War in World History: Society, Technology and War from Ancient Times to the Present, Volume 1, McGraw Hill
• van Creveld, M. 1989 Technology and War from 2000 BC to the Present, The Free Press

 

 

Week 10 - Alexander and the Modern Day

 

May 30 - Alexander the Great and the Rise of the Greeks

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Required Reading:

• Carey, B.T. 2009 Warfare in the Ancient World, Ch. 3 “Warfare in the Hellenistic Era: The Rise of the Macedonian Art of War” pages 64-89 Download Carey, B.T. 2009 Warfare in the Ancient World, Ch. 3 “Warfare in the Hellenistic Era: The Rise of the Macedonian Art of War” pages 64-89

 

Recommended Reading:

• Borza, E.N. 1987 “The Royal Macedonian Tombs and the Paraphernalia of Alexander the Great” Phoenix, 41:2, pages 105-121 Download Borza, E.N. 1987 “The Royal Macedonian Tombs and the Paraphernalia of Alexander the Great” Phoenix, 41:2, pages 105-121
• Carey, B.T. 2009 Warfare in the Ancient World, Ch. 4 “Republican Rome at War: The Rise and Evolution of the Legion” pages 90-120 Download Carey, B.T. 2009 Warfare in the Ancient World, Ch. 4 “Republican Rome at War: The Rise and Evolution of the Legion” pages 90-120
• Chrissanthos, S.G. 2008 Warfare in the Ancient World: From the Bronze Age to the Fall of Rome Praeger Series on the Ancient World
• Hackett, J.W., 1989, Warfare in the Ancient World Facts on File. “Alexander the Great” pages 104-129 Download Hackett, J.W., 1989, Warfare in the Ancient World Facts on File. “Alexander the Great” pages 104-129
• Roth, J.P. 2009 Roman Warfare Cambridge University Press

• Shipley, G. 2005 “Between Macedonia and Rome: Political Landscapes and Social Change in Southern Greece in the Early Hellenistic Period.” The Annual of the British School at Athens” Vol. 100, pages 315-330 Download Shipley, G. 2005 “Between Macedonia and Rome: Political Landscapes and Social Change in Southern Greece in the Early Hellenistic Period.” The Annual of the British School at Athens” Vol. 100, pages 315-330

 

June 1- Discussion Class: Warfare and Colonialism in the Modern Middle East

No assigned readings, but come prepared to talk in groups for a graded discussion

 

 

Final Project Due June 7, by 11:59pm