16 Comments
Oct 28Liked by M. E. Rothwell, Prateek Dasgupta

Extremely interesting-thank you. It's dizzying to think of how vast the past is, and how much is unknown, and how all is intricately interconnected

It can be argued, I suppose, that the more time passes by-the more "pirates" can be seen as building other civilisations, not simply tearing the other ones.

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Oct 28Liked by M. E. Rothwell, Prateek Dasgupta

In my view, it is the Teresh who came from the Po valley region and migrated eastwards, leaving behind their cousins (the Etruscans and Rhaetians) who continued to speak the non Indo-european Tyrsenian languages that are indigenous to the “Italian” peninsula. The archeological Terramare culture, who abandoned the Po valley region en masse between 1200-1150 BCE, are in my view the most likely candidate for the Teresh recorded in the Egyptian sources.

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This is an interesting theory, I'd love to know more about the Terramare culture, any recommendations? Also, whats your opinion on Nuragic culture being possibly associated with the Sherden? The connection seems strong.

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Okay I just saw your post on Nuragic culture and Sherden :) thanks for confirming this theory

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Oct 29Liked by M. E. Rothwell, Prateek Dasgupta

The evidence appears to me overwhelming that they originally came from Sardinia due to the continuity of archaeological culture on the island and material finds on the island and across the Mediterranean from the time period in question. According to Egyptian sources, some Sherden served as mercenaries in the personal guard of the Egyptian pharaohs as early as Ramesses II (who ruled from 1279 - 1213 BCE) after they unsuccessfully raided the coast of Egypt in the second year of his rule (1278 BCE). Soon after being conscripted by Ramesses II, these Sherden took part in the battle of Kadesh against the Hittites in 1274 BCE. This indecisive battle was the earliest recorded set-piece battle in recorded history. Sherden are also mentioned in the Amarna letters by Rib-Hadda of Byblos (which was later sacked by the Sea Peoples) to Akhenaten of Egypt about 100 years earlier. The Nuragic Sardinians had impressive shipbuilding capabilities and must have played a crucial role as a link in the maritime trade of rare tin (accessible from either Cornwall or Bohemia) which was required for the production of bronze alloy. Perhaps they turned to piracy when these trade networks began to break down in the chaos of the late bronze age.

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Oct 28Liked by M. E. Rothwell, Prateek Dasgupta

Awesome! Prateek, glad to see you included here on Cosmographia. Your work is consistently fun to read.

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Thanks Andrew, means a lot coming from you!

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Nov 1Liked by Prateek Dasgupta, M. E. Rothwell

thank you

I was thinking of rome (as one does) and the barbarians who sacked it had served as mercenaries (foederati) for centuries before

there is also a similar pattern with arab border states and Byzantium and Persia

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That is a good parallel, but in this case in addition to the “barbarians”, the “Romans” of the Bronze Age joined the looting and destruction

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Oct 28Liked by Prateek Dasgupta, M. E. Rothwell

Fantastic read. Thank you for what you do.

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Thank you Roberto, glaf you liked it!

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Oct 28Liked by Prateek Dasgupta, M. E. Rothwell

Excellent research and progressive analysis of sea peoples origins. Now to note climatic changes. Mt rRNA or other volcanic eruptions, a muni ice age disruption to growth of food. Plague infestation. What pushed sea people to migrate?

Today we have wars in Middle East. Migrating people to many areas to escape from war. History repeats.

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Thats is true, there are eerie similarities. But have we learned from history?

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Oct 29Liked by Prateek Dasgupta, M. E. Rothwell

World is blind to climate changes and consequences.

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Very good information and analysis.! I have often wondered where the Sea People's came from, and your information is expert and comprehensive. Thanks!

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Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

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