Abstract
Abstract The paper examines the cuneiform evidence from sixth-century Babylonia (and beyond) for information on the form and aims of Neo-Babylonian imperial rule over its western provinces. While new texts, which hitherto have not been considered in this context, can be brought to bear on the issue, direct evidence from these provinces is still scarce. These documents will thus be supplemented by drawing on the rich information concerning state institutions and resource extraction in the imperial centre. It is argued that in the first half of the Neo-Babylonian period, until ca. 585 BCE, Babylonian imperial rule in the western periphery can be conceptualized primarily as a straightforward exploitative tributary regime. From about the mid-reign of Nebuchadnezzar onwards, however, there is a shift towards a more sustainable resource extraction through the creation of stable pockets of Babylonian presence in the periphery. This diachronic shift was meant to steady and organize the initial ad hoc Babylonian approach. These measures, however, did not prevail, and the chaotic years which followed the 43 years reign of Nebuchadnezzar illustrate the fragility of the relatively short-lived Babylonian imperial age.
Highlights
This paper examines the way in which the Neo-Babylonian monarchs exercised their domination outside the heartland of Babylonia.1 Given the scarcity ofThis work is licensed under theY
Some of these sources originate in the imperial periphery itself, but the present paper focuses primarily on the Babylonian temples and the ways in which imperial policy in the periphery is echoed in their rich archives
The main section of this paper focuses on the evidence for the activity of Babylonian temples in the periphery as reflected in the temple archives
Summary
This paper examines the way in which the Neo-Babylonian monarchs exercised their domination outside the heartland of Babylonia. Given the scarcity of. Levavi pertinent documentation, such as e.g. Neo-Babylonian royal archives and other state records (regarding taxation, local government, military aspects, etc.), we must turn our attention to the evidence offered by alternative sources. Some of these sources originate in the imperial periphery itself, but the present paper focuses primarily on the Babylonian temples and the ways in which imperial policy in the periphery is echoed in their rich archives.. From about the mid-reign of Nebuchadnezzar onwards, there was a shift towards a more sustainable resource extraction through the creation of stable pockets of Babylonian presence in the periphery This diachronic shift was meant to steady and organize the initial ad hoc Babylonian approach. I turn to the indirect evidence from Babylonia proper and the impact of imperial rule on the economy of the core region of Babylonia
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