Introduction

“Say to the king of Egypt, my brother, on behalf of the king of Alashiya, your brother:  All goes well with me.” 

The international age of the Near East that spanned three centuries from 1500 to 1200 BC was defined in many ways by the communication between the “Great Kings” of the region. Indeed, much of our knowledge of the rivalrous states at the time comes from the cuneiform tablets that the Great Kings sent to one another. The membership of the club of Great Power’s has been defined as consisting only of the Kings of Babylon, Mittani, Hatti, Assyria, and Egypt.[1] The Amarna letters, one of the richest collections found in Egypt, however, demonstrate that they were not the only rulers who considered themselves worthy. Egyptologist and Director of the Amarna Royal Tombs Project Nicholas Reeves points out that “knowledge of the interaction between Egypt and the Mediterranean world at this period is for the most park archeological.” [2] However, seven of the Amarna letters to the Pharaoh are from the king of Alashiya, thought to be modern day Cyprus, and one is from the Alashiyan rabis.[3] This study will look closely at two of two examples, shedding light of the fascinating dynamic between the established Great Kings, and those who sought a seat at the high table of Near Eastern power.