The First Empires

Objectives Describe Assyria’s rise to power and and its well organized government. Know how Assyria built a vast empire in Mesopotamia. Describe the important landmarks built in the Chaldean Empire. Understand the development of the first calendar by the Chaldeans.

Vocabulary Province Caravan astronomer

The Assyrians Assyrians lived North of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Built a large army and began taking over Mesopotamia about 900 BC.

Why were the Assyrians Strong Had soldiers who used daggers and spears well. Other soldiers experts at using bows and arrows

Why were the Assyrians Strong Hittites developed ways of making iron stronger First Army to use iron weapons

Why were the Assyrians Strong Were fearless Would tunnel under walls or use ladders to go over the top Used battering rams to knock down gates

Why were the Assyrians Strong Assyrians were ruthless Resistance to the Assyrians was punished Assyrians drove people from their lands and occupied the new territory

Assyrian Government Kings had to be strong to rule Assyria Empire stretched from the Persian Gulf to the Nile River Kings divided the Empire into Provinces King chose officials to govern provinces.

Assyrian Government Assyrian kings built roads joining different parts of the empire which were protected by the army from robbers.

Life in Assyria Lawbreakers faced harsh punishment (Assyrians Blinded their prisoners)

Life in Assyria Assyrians erected large temples Had exceptional skills as builders

Life in Assyria Produced and collected literature Akkadian, Babylonian and Assyrian, literature, documented on cuneiform tablets from Ancient Mesopotamia

Life in Assyria One of the worlds first library was in Nineveh (Ancient Assyrian library believed to be from the 6th century BC)

Assyrian decline Assyrian cruel treatment of people lead to rebellion. The Chaldeans revolted in 612 BC and the Assyrian empire fell apart.

Chaldeans Chaldeans built landmarks in Babylon and developed the first calendar with a 7 day week.

Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar led Chaldea and controlled most of Mesopotamia from 605 BC to 562 BC about 43 years.

Babylon Most Chaldeans were descendants of Babylonian people during Hammurabi’s time 1200 years earlier.

Babylon Babylon quickly became the world’s largest and wealthiest city for its time.

Babylon Babylonian wall that surrounded the city was wide enough for 2 chariots to pass each other on top.

Babylonian Temples and Palaces Reached more than 300 ft in the air Kings palace had hanging gardens

Babylon Nebuchadnezzar built the gardens to please his wife

Babylon Artisans made pottery, clothing, baskets and jewelry. Sold their wares to passing caravans

Babylon Was the center for science Was instrumental in the study of astronomy Developed the first sun dials and 7 day calendar

The decline of the Chaldeans The Chaldeans found they had to control other people they conquered and found it difficult. In 539 BC Persia conquered Babylon

Lets Ponder What different types of skills would the Babylonians need to build the hanging gardens? Why do you think the Assyrians took people from their land and moved them elsewhere after they conquered them?