Around the 18th century BC (the Middle Bronze Age), the inhabitants of Tel Hazor expanded their settlement, and founded the lower city. The upper and lower cities were occupied until the 13
th century BC, when both were violently destroyed. Subsequently, Tel Hazor was rebuilt, though it was no longer the great city it once was. For instance, many of the constructions from this period were of a semi-nomadic character, whilst during the 11th century BC, the site was an unfortified Israelite settlement. Hazor regained some of its former splendor from the time of King Solomon onwards. During his reign, the upper city was rebuilt and fortified.
Abelbethmaachah
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Photograph by DUBY TAL/ALBATROSS/ALAMY/ACI
These letters are often expressed in language of extreme abasement. The puppet ruler of Gezer, in present-day Israel, wrote: “To the king, my lord, my god, my Sun, the Sun of heaven: Message of Yapahu, your servant, the dirt at your feet. I fall at the feet of the king, my lord, my god, my Sun, seven times and seven times.”
Betrothals and brides
In contrast, the letters written by the pharaoh’s equals, rulers of the great regional powers, are careful how and when they demonstrate that they are on more equal footing. Scholars sometimes refer to the main regional powers of this time as the “Great Powers Club,” which at this time consisted of Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria, Mitanni (centered in modern southeastern Turkey), and “Hatti,” the Hittite empire. Another member of the club was Alashiya, the island of Cyprus. While geographically small, the island nation was economically powerful thanks to its copper reserves. (
Norway
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