A North Israelite Royal Administrative System and its Impact on Late-Monarchic Judah

Abstract

In this article I present several pieces of evidence, which suggest the existence of a royal administrative system in the Northern kingdom. Archaeological data, especially concerning the so-called »hippo« storage jars, illustrate the various bureaucratic strategies that were employed by the North Israelite kings, including collaboration with local clans, and active involvement of royal officials in the manufacture and distribution of products. Israels administrative legacy may have promoted the economic reorganization of Judah in the late 8th century B.C.E.