How Do You Spell AMARNA CORRESPONDENCE?

Pronunciation: [ˈamɑːnə kˌɒɹɪspˈɒndəns] (IPA)

The spelling of the term "Amarna Correspondence" can be easily understood by using IPA phonetic transcription. In this term, "Amarna" is pronounced as /əˈmɑːnə/ and "Correspondence" as /ˌkɒrɪˈspɒndəns/. Therefore, the spelling of this term is dependent on the correct pronunciation of these two words. The Amarna Correspondence is a collection of Egyptian diplomatic letters discovered in 1887 at Amarna, a site in Upper Egypt. These letters provide valuable insights into the political and social climate of the ancient Egyptian empire during the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten.

Meaning and Definition
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AMARNA CORRESPONDENCE Meaning and Definition

  1. The Amarna Correspondence refers to a collection of letters and diplomatic documents discovered in the city of Amarna, Egypt. These texts were written during the 14th century BCE, a period known as the Amarna Period, which corresponds to the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten in ancient Egypt.

    The Amarna Correspondence consists of approximately 380 clay tablets that contain letters written in the Akkadian language, mostly cuneiform script, between the kings of Egypt and various rulers and representatives of other ancient Near Eastern powers. These tablets provide invaluable insights into the political, social, and cultural relationships of the time, shedding light on diplomatic negotiations, military alliances, and trade activities.

    The correspondence covers diverse topics such as requests for military aid, reports on local conflicts, discussions on matrimonial alliances, and pleas for economic assistance. The letters provide a window into the complex web of international relations and the political dynamics of the Late Bronze Age.

    The Amarna Correspondence not only offers a unique glimpse into the ancient diplomatic practices and interconnections of ancient civilizations but also aids in understanding the broader historical contexts of the ancient Near East. Consequently, these documents hold significant historical and archaeological importance, revealing facets of ancient politics, religion, cultural exchange, and society that would otherwise remain hidden.

Etymology of AMARNA CORRESPONDENCE

The etymology of the term "Amarna Correspondence" is derived from the location in which the correspondence was discovered and the nature of the letters involved.

The word "Amarna" refers to the ancient city of Amarna, also known as Akhetaten, which was the capital of Egypt during the reign of pharaoh Akhenaten in the 14th century BCE. Akhenaten established this city as a religious and administrative center for his monotheistic worship of the Aten, the solar disk.

The term "correspondence" refers to a series of cuneiform clay tablets discovered at Amarna in 1887. These tablets contain diplomatic and administrative letters exchanged between the pharaoh Akhenaten and various rulers, officials, and vassals of other states in the region during his reign.