Enemies of Civilization: Attitudes toward Foreigners in Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China

Contents

Contents List of Illustrations ix Preface xi List of Abbreviations xv Chronological Table xvii . Introduction  The Question about The Others  Ethnic Theories and Ancient History 7 Choice of Subjects 9 About the Comparative Study of History 2 Structure, Scope, and Sources 8 2. In Search of Cultural Identity 23 Geography 23 Language 29 Looking for Foreigners 34 3. Representations 37 Designations of Self and Others 38 Textual and Graphic Evidence 48 4. Relations and Attitudes 68 Enemies 68 Demons 80 Friends and Allies 84 From Apprehension to Appreciation 93 5. Foreigners Within 0 Social Positions 0 Foreign Goods and Languages 4 6. The Transformation of the Barbarians 2 To Assimilate or Not to Assimilate 2 Between Ideology and Reality 42 7. Conclusion 45 The Illusive Others 46 Official Ideology and Private Sentiments 5 The Comparative Gaze 5 The Problem of Great Civilizations 54 Notes 6 Bibliography 87 Index 209 viii Contents ...