ESKİ YAKIN DOĞU’DA EKOPOLİTİK KENT: UGARİT
ECOPOLITICAL CITY IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST: UGARIT

Summary/Abstract: In addition to possessing significant natural resources, the location of Syria at the crossroads of trade routes during the Bronze Age enabled wealthy city-states to develop there. The states that were established and developed in this region, such as Ugarit, used the geopolitical advantages of their location to become important city-states. However, these advantages also led states such as the Hittites, Assyrians, Mitanni and Egyptians to pursue continuous occupation policies in this region during this period. In response to the encirclement policies of the great powers, Ugarit sought to establish a regional balance of power. This balance of power was based on taking advantage of the conflicts between states that were hostile towards Ugarit. Thus, the rulers of Ugarit sought to preempt any attack on their country. Following the establishment of parameters such as the safe zone created by the Ugarit rulers, it was inevitable that the city-state would become a key player in interregional commercial activities. Ugarit became a significant player in the regional supply and processing of raw materials. However, the beginning of the end for Ugarit, a key stop on land and sea trade routes, was marked by attacks from the sea.

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