History 506:402.18, Spring 2004, F 2-3, Murray 004
Jack Cargill
Cross-Listed as Middle Eastern Studies 685:496.03
Office: Van Dyck 103 Phone: 732-932-6740 Office hours: Thurs. 10:30-11:30 & by appt.
E-mail Address: jcargill@rci.rutgers.edu Website: http://intranet.rutgers.edu/~jcargill
Seminar: Ancient Egypt and the Levant
This seminar (which perhaps should have been called “Ancient Egypt & Its Neighbors”) will focus
on Ancient Egyptian relations with Nubia to the south and with nations and peoples of the lands at
the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea – Phoenicians, Canaanites, Israelites, Judahites, Philistines,
etc. – and interactions in the Levantine region with other imperial powers – Hurrians, Hittites,
Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. After lectures on Egyptian extra-territorial
involvements through the Middle Kingdom, the meeting format will become more discussionoriented, as students offer in-class reports on topics ranging from the time of Hyksos domination
through the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Emphasis throughout will be on the enemies, vassals,
allies, and conquerors of Egypt, as much as on the Egyptians themselves.
Texts which all students are required to read (ordered at New Jersey Books ONLY):
Ian Shaw (ed.), Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (illustrated pb. ed. 2002, ISBN 0192802933)
Jack Cargill, Handbook for Ancient History Classes (Regina Books, ISBN 0941690938)
A large proportion of each individual student’s assigned readings will be in materials on reserve at
Alexander Library, which students will be expected to visit regularly.
Half (or more) of each student’s grade will be based on a substantial research paper, with submission
of both a rough draft and a final version required. Grades will also reflect in-class oral presentations,
attendance, preparedness, and participation. Dated gradable items in boldface below.
Date TOPIC, Assigned Readings
Jan. 23 INTRODUCTION: Class Organization, Expectations, Background
Sometime this week or next week, read: Shaw ch. 2 & 3; Handbook (all).
Jan. 30 CHRONOLOGY, CONTEXT, BEGINNINGS
Shaw ch. 1, 11, 4 (in this order)
Be prepared to choose Readings Reports topics.
Feb. 6 OLD - MIDDLE KINGDOMS: EXTERNAL AREAS DOMINATED, LOST, REGAINED
Shaw ch. 5 (bot 105-mid 107, mid 111, mid 115-mid 116) [Recommended: read all]
Shaw ch. 6 (130 last para., 132 caption) [and all of this, and ch. 7]
Shaw ch. 7 (150 caption, 151 nx-to-L para., 152 nx-to-L para., 156 3rd & 5th paras., 158-183)
Feb. 13 HYKSOS, KUSHITES, & THEBANS
Shaw ch. 8
Students’ in-class Reports on individually-assigned Readings begin this week (-Apr. 2).
Feb. 20 THE EMPIRE: THUTMOSE I, HATSHEPSUT, THUTMOSE III & IV, AMENHOTEP III
Shaw ch. 9
Feb. 27 AMARNA PERIOD, RAMESES II, RAMESSIDS
Shaw ch. 10 & review ch. 11 (previously assigned)
Mar. 5 DOMINATION BY LIBYANS, KUSHITES, ASSYRIANS
Shaw ch. 12
Mar. 12 SAITES, JUDAH, BABYLONIA, PERSIA
Shaw ch. 13
Rutgers University Spring Break: No class Mar. 19
Mar. 26 HELLENISTIC EGYPT: THE PTOLEMIES
Shaw ch. 14
Apr. 2 EGYPT AS A ROMAN IMPERIAL PROVINCE
Shaw ch. 15
Turn in ROUGH DRAFTS of RESEARCH PAPERS (penalty for lateness)
Rules and examples of Handbook are to be followed closely.
Apr. 9 No meeting: Work on Research Papers and Research Reports
Rough Drafts (corrected & commented upon) available in Prof.’s office Monday-Tuesday
Apr. 16 Students’ in-class Reports on Research for papers
Apr. 23 Students’ in-class Reports on Research for papers
Apr. 30 Students’ in-class Reports on Research for papers
THURSDAY, May 6: RESEARCH PAPERS, final versions due at office hour (10:30-11:30 AM)
Nota Bene: Prof. will be out-of-state Thurs. afternoon – Sunday night, May 6-9.
MONDAY, May 10: First, last, & only day for Late Papers (grades penalized); Zero after today.
Papers left in mailbox or under office door Thurs.-Sun. will be treated as received Monday.