Subject Areas and Themes for the Research Paper

This listing contains general subject areas and overall themes from which students might choose in order to formulate the specific topics of their research papers. The instructor reserves the right to limit the number of students in the class working on any one topic or theme. It is required that students choose a topic that in some way compares and contrasts issues between the ancient Hittites or Mitanni and Egypt.

Archaeology Credit. Any archaeology student wanting credit in this class to satisfy Archaeology Minor requirements should write a paper that focuses in some manner on Egyptian and Hittite material culture (along with the usual historical textual analysis), and which includes analyses of archaeological issues specifically, e.g.: objects, sites, site history or site distributions, urbanization and settlements, architecture, environmental issues, cultural and physical landscapes (usages, alterations, etc.).

(Issues in) the Archaeology of Egypt and Hatti or Mitanni; Egyptian/Hittite or Mitanni Material Cultures

Civil and Urban Architecture in Ancient Egypt and Hatti or Mitanni

Cities and Urbanization in Ancient Egypt and/or Hatti, including comparisons of important cities
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Hittite or Mitanni and Egyptian Foreign Relations and Diplomatic History

(Issues in) the Formation, Structure and Maintenance of the Egyptian and Hittite or Mitanni empires

The Role of Diplomatic Marriages in International Diplomacy of the Ancient Near East during the Second Millennum BC

(Issues in) the Amarna Letters: Internationalism in the 14th century BC

(Issues in) the Hittite Diplomatic Correspondences and Treaties (gypt included but not exclusively)

Importance and Exploitation of Syria and/or Canaan by the Egyptian and Hittite or Mitannian empires

The Hurrians in Syria and Anatolia: Mitanni (Hanigalbat), incl. Hittite and/or Egyptian relations

Hittite Relations with Troy, Western Anatolia, and Mycenaean civilization

Regional Warfare in the Syria-Canaan during the Second Millennum BC, including the Egyptians and Hittites or Mitannians

Egyptian Military and Hittite or Mitannian Military Methods, Policy and Organization
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Comparison and Contrast between Issues in Hittite and/or Egyptian life and society, e.g.:

- role and status of women;

- laws and legal system;

- marriage and divorce;

- crime and punishment (incl. capital punishment)

- social classes and social hierarchies

- sexuality and and sexual mores

- slavery and forced labor

- economics and trade

Environment and the Development of Culture and History in Egypt and/or Hatti

The Role and Function of the King in Egypt and/or Hatti (incl. divine kingship)

The Status and Function of the Queen in Egypt ("Great Royal Wife") and/or Hatti ("Tawanana")

Comparisons and Contrasts between Hittite and Egyptian Royal Historical Inscriptions and Accounts (incl.: form, purpose, reliability, historical and religious implicateions, etc.)

(Issues in) the Historiography of Egypt and/or Hatti, Methods and Directions

Literacy, Education, and Social Advancement in Egypt and Hatti

Medicine and Medical Practice, the Physician in Egypt and Hatti

Slavery, Forced Labor and/or the Deportation of Captives in Hittite and Egyptian societies

Standards of Morality in Hittite and/or Egyptian Thought and Behavior

Comparative Study in Civil and Mortuary Religions of Egypt and Hatti or Mitanni

Text Critical Studies of Various Egyptian and Hittite or Mitannian Texts and Inscriptions (religious, hymns, prayers, prophecies, letters, treaties, law codes, edicts, official documents, accounts, etc.)