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1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed

by Eric H. Cline

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜† 3.74 (13ย 112 ratings)
2014 ยท 264 pages ยท ~4h 24m read ยท Nonfiction

Eric H. Cline explores the mysterious and sudden collapse of the interconnected civilizations of the Late Bronze Age. Around 1177 B.C., the Minoans, Mycenaeans, Hittites, and Egyptians faced a 'perfect storm' of catastrophes, including invasions by the 'Sea Peoples,' climate change, and internal rebellion. Cline weaves archaeological evidence into a gripping narrative that examines how a globalized world can fall apart. This book is a fascinating look at the fragility of complex societies and the lessons history holds for today.

A well-known book with a dedicated readership.

Topic: HistoryStyle: Academic
historynatureenvironment

Notable Quotes

"Unfortunately, identifying Ramses II as the pharaoh of the Exodus, which is the identification most frequently found in both scholarly and popular books, does not work if one also wishes to follow the chronology presented in the Bible."
"In a complex system such as our world today, this is all it might take for the overall system to become destabilized, leading to a collapse."
"We must now turn to the idea of a systems collapse, a systemic failure with both a domino and multiplier effect, from which even such a globalized international, vibrant, intersocietal network as was present during the Late Bronze Age could not recover."

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