Elite Emulation and Patronage Relationships in the Middle Bronze: The Egyptianized Dynasty of Byblos

Rulers of Byblos in the Middle Bronze Age adopted Egyptianized language, administrative titles, and religious traits as elite emulation practices to differentiate themselves from local peers and gain prestige through patronage bonds with Egypt. These relationships, rooted in early Old Kingdom interactions, were sustained by the exchange of high-value goods. The study argues that such cultural borrowing was a strategic move to align with Egypt's esteemed elite, reinforcing Byblos' status in the northern Levant and Euphrates region.

Flammini, R. (2010). Elite Emulation and Patronage Relationships in the Middle Bronze: The Egyptianized Dynasty of Byblos. Tel Aviv, 37(2), 154–168. https://doi.org/10.1179/033443510x12760074471026