After 1177 B.C. The Survival of Civilizations

In his compelling follow-up to the bestselling book 1177 B.C., Eric Cline delves into the aftermath of the collapse of the Bronze Age. He explores the reasons behind the sustainability of certain civilizations, the emergence of new ones, and the tragic disappearance of others.

At the end of Cline's previous book 1177 B.C., numerous ancient civilizations in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean region were destroyed, brought down by invasions, uprisings, calamities, scarcity, and the collapse of global commerce. During the so-called First Dark Age, the interconnected world of major empires and societies that once enjoyed relative peace, robust commerce, and monumental architecture was lost. Now, in After 1177 B.C., Eric Cline tells the compelling story of what happened next, over four centuries, across the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean world. Discover the tale of survival, adaptation, and triumph, alongside setbacks, during a time of turmoil and reconstruction.

After 1177 B.C. details the impact of the collapse of powerful Late Bronze Age civilizations, and how it forced people and societies to adapt to new circumstances. The failure to adapt led to the disappearance of certain civilizations, while others successfully transformed and contributed to a new world order; that encompassed the Phoenicians, Philistines, Israelites, Neo-Hittites, Neo-Assyrians, and Neo-Babylonians. This book's narrative ends with the re-emergence of Greece, highlighted by the inaugural Olympic Games in 776 BCE It also details the emergence of world-altering advancements, such as the utilization of iron and the alphabet, amidst the tumultuous times.

Filled with insights for today's society into the survival of civilizations in the face of large-scale disasters, After 1177 B.C. challenges the misconception that this era was a 'dark age' and instead showcases the advancements and prospects that emerged during this time.

Eric H. Cline (b. 1960) is an American author, historian, archaeologist, and professor of ancient history and archaeology at The George Washington University (GWU) in Washington D.C. He currently serves as a Professor of Classics and Anthropology and formerly acted as Chair of the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, in addition to being the Director of the GWU Capitol Archaeological Institute.

This book is the subject of the Ashmolean Museum's upcoming online event: After 1177 B.C. : Eric Cline Author Talk. (Find out more information and book tickets here).