Contents

Introduction
1. Uruk, the First City: Builders and Organizers, 3500-3300 BCE
2. The Uruk Period: Colonizers, Scribes, and the Gods, 3300-3000 BCE
3. The Early Dynastic Period: Kings and Subjects, 2900-2400 BCE
4. The Early Dynastic Period: Queens, Diplomats, and Weavers, 2400-2300 BCE
5. The Early Dynastic Period: Royal Couples, Divine Couples, and Envoys, 2400-2300 BCE
6. The Akkadian Period: A Conqueror and a Priestess, 2300-2200 BCE
7. The Ur III Period: Brickmakers, Litigants, and Slaves, 2200-2000 BCE
8. The Isin-Larsa Period: Kings and Military Commanders 2000-1800 BCE
9. Merchants and Families
10. Princesses and Musicians
11. The Old Babylonian Period: A Lawgiver, Land Overseers, and Soldiers, 1792-1750 BCE
12. The Old Babylonian Period: Naditums and Scribal Students, 1792-1712 BCE
13. The Late Old Babylonian Period: Barbers, Mercenaries, and Exiles, 1742-1550 BCE
14. The Late Bronze Age: Businessmen, Charioteers, and Translators, 1550-1350 BCE
15. The Late Bronze Age: Gift Recipients and Royal In-Laws, 1450-1333 BCE
16. The Late Bronze Age: Negotiators, Sea Traders, and Famine Sufferers, 1333-1000 BCE
17. Empire Builders, Sculptors, and Deportees
18. The Neo-Assyrian Period: Conspirators, Diviners, and Officials, 681-648 BCE
19. The Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian Periods: Gardeners, Artisans, and a Centenarian Priestess, 648-544 BCE
20. The Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid Periods: Brewers, Rebels, and Exorcists 544-323 BCE
Cast of Characters
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Bibliography