Nomadic pastoralists have always been a feature of the Middle East, but their numbers seem to vary according to climatic conditions and the force of neighboring states inducing permanent settlement.

The period of the Late Bronze Age seems to have been one of increasing aridity, weakening neighboring states, and inducing transhumance pastoralists to spend longer and longer periods with their flocks.

Urban settlements diminished in size, until eventually fully nomadic pastoralist lifestyles come to dominate the region.

These highly mobile, competitive tribesmen with their sudden raids are a continued threat to long distance trade and interfere with the collection of taxes and tribute.