Enemies of Civilization

Mu-Chou Poo

Description

Enemies of Civilization is a work of comparative history and cultural consciousness that discusses how "others" were perceived in three ancient civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China. Each civilization was the dominant culture in its part of the world, and each developed a mind-set that regarded itself as culturally superior to its neighbors. Mu-chou Poo compares these societies' attitudes toward other cultures and finds differences and similarities that reveal the self-perceptions of each society.

Notably, this work shows that in contrast to modern racism based on biophysical features, such prejudice did not exist in these ancient societies. It was culture rather than biophysical nature that was the most important criterion for distinguishing us from them. By examining how societies conceive their prejudices, this book breaks new ground in the study of ancient history and opens new ways to look at human society, both ancient and modern.

List of Illustrations

Preface

List of Abbreviations

Chronological Table

1. Introduction

The Question about The Others
Ethnic Theories and Ancient History
Choice of Subjects
About the Comparative Study of History
Structure, Scope, and Sources

2. In Search of Cultural Identity

Geography
Language
Looking for Foreigners

3. Representations

Designations of Self and Others
Textual and Graphic Evidence

4. Relations and Attitudes

Enemies
Demons
Friends and Allies
From Apprehension to Appreciation

5. Foreigners Within

Social Positions
Foreign Goods and Languages

6. The Transformation of the Barbarians

To Assimilate or Not to Assimilate
Between Ideology and Reality

7. Conclusion

The Illusive Others
Official Ideology and Private Sentiments
The Comparative Gaze
The Problem of Great Civilizations

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Sujets

• Ancient World
• History of the Middle East
• Ancient history
• History of Asia
• China

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791483701
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

Enemies of Civilization

SUNY Series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture Roger T. Ames, editor

Enemies of Civilization

Attitudes toward Foreigners in Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China

Mu-chou Poo

State University of New York Press

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2005 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or trans- mitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, address the State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 2207

Production by Marilyn P. Semerad Marketing by Susan M. Petrie

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Poo, Mu-chou.  Enemies of civilization : attitudes toward foreigners in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China / Mu-chou Poo.  p. cm. — (SUNY series in Chinese philosophy and culture)  Includes bibliographical references and index.  ISBN 0–794–6363–X (hc : acid-free paper) — ISBN 0–794–6364–8 (pbk : acid-free paper)  . Iraq—Relations—Foreign countries. 2. Egypt—Relations—Foreign countries. 3. China—Relations—Foreign countries. 4. Aliens—Iraq—History—To 500. 5. Aliens—Egypt—History—To 500. 6. Aliens—China—History—To 500. 7. Iraq— Civilization—To 634. 8. Egypt—Civilization—To 332 .Ç. 9. China—Civilization— To 22 .Ç. 0. China—Civilization—22 .Ç.–960 Ā.. I. Title. II. Series.  DS7.P63 2005  327.3'009—dc22  200404540 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 

T o my daughters Cindy and Sheila Who venture into foreign land bravely And to my soul mate Ping-chen Who travels with me lovingly

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Contents

 List of Illustrations  Preface  List of Abbreviations  Chronological Table

. Introduction  e Question about e Others   Ethnic eories 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  Geography 23  Language 29  Looking for Foreigners 34

3. Representations  Designations of Self and Others 38  Textual and Graphic Evidence 48

4. Relations and Attitudes  Enemies 68  Demons 80  Friends and Allies 84  From Apprehension to Appreciation 93

ix xi xv xvii



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Contents

5. Foreigners Within  Social Positions 0  Foreign Goods and Languages 4

6. e Transformation of the Barbarians  To Assimilate or Not to Assimilate 2  Between Ideology and Reality 42

7. Conclusion  e Illusive Others 46  Official Ideology and Private Sentiments 5  e Comparative Gaze 5  e Problem of Great Civilizations 54

Notes Bibliography Index

0

2

45

6 87 209

Illustrations

NÔÈ: All figures of ancient objects or images have been redrawn by Tze-hsuan Huang and Chia-yin Yao. Locations of published photos of the images are indicated below.

Figure 3.. Cylinder seal showing a king (?) and defeated enemies. H. Frankfort, 939: 23, fig. 6. Figure 3.2. e victory stela of Naram-Sin. J. B. Pritchard, 954, fig. 309. Figure 3.3. e Narmer palette. B. J. Kemp, 99: 42, fig. 2. Figure 3.4. A typical image of the Pharoah smiting the enemies. E. S. Hall, 986, fig. 64. Figure 3.5. Bound foreigners representing various tribes. G. Robins, 997: 37, fig. 55. Figure 3.6. Nubians and Syrians representing the Nine Bows. Ch. Desroches-Noblecourt, 963: 5. Figure 3.7. Lybian people depicted as domesticated Egyptians in the temple of King Sahure, Fifth Dynasty. L. Borchardt, 903, vol. 2., pl. .

Figure 3.8. Human face with Mongolian type. Excavated at Baoji. Zhongguo shehui kexueyuan kaogu yenjiusuo, 983: 75, fig. 57:. Figure 3.9. Human head of Austronesian type between two beasts. K. C. Chang, 983a: 360, pl. 6. Figure 3.0. Bronze mask from Sanxingdui.Wenwu, 989.5: 6, pl. 0.

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