Why did middle east and Mediterranean civilizations collapse in the late bronze age?

Answer 1

The way I understand it, according to the chapters 8 & 9 of B. Fagan's book on World Prehistory, the motivation for the creation of the early "states" was not long-term political stability. It's more on survival, given the harsh environment where these early civilizations flourished (especially Mesopotamia). The goal for forming political units and ties was to "adapt". Plains in Mesopotamia are fertile, giving them the advantage in growing cereals/grains; the Mediterranean lands were rich in metal/ores and other semi-precious stones. Thus, these regions forged trading ties.

Still, threats from the environment (like the 300-year catastrophic drought in Northern Mesopotamia), and other 'political' forces (like the nomads from the North, pirates called Sea Peoples) continually challenged the seeming social structure. There is also the fact that the early states continuously wage wars and conquests to expand their domain. And the prevailing hierarchical structure of their times also didn't come unscathed.

Given this background, the early civilizations/states in Mesopotamia and the eastern Mediterranean eventually broke down- reverting to the earlier structure of smaller cities. This fluidity in the political integration is seen not as a total loss/disadvantage, but an inevitable way to survive in their social, political and environmental setting.