What we know so far Mesopotamian civilization is known still to be located between the Zagros and Taurus Mountains in the northwest to the southeast, and the Arabian Plateau inclusive of the Syrian and Arabian deserts in the southwestern regions (Class Notes). Hence Amenhotep III is the father of diplomacy because he conducted relations with other states by peaceful means. He was skilled in the management of international relations and tactful in dealing with diplomats. International law was respected as was protocol. Understanding the political map of the Near East during the Late Bronze Age informs the context of contemporaneous diplomacy. Five major kingdoms emerged in this age: the Hittite kingdom in central Anatolia; the Hurrian kingdom of Mitanni in Upper Mesopotamia and Northern Syria; the Mitanni kingdom, which would collapse in the 14th century; the Kingdom of Assyria in northern Mesopotamia; the Kassite kingdom of Babylon in southern Mesopotamia; and the Kingdom of Egypt. For much of the Late Bronze Age, all but the Mitanni controlled the Near Eastern, since Assyria replaced Mitanni in the second half of this period.

Dr. Kemal Yildirim is an Orientalist and works on ancient and modern World cultures. He has published more than 60 books and produced and directed feature films as well as Documentaries.