Ancient Civilizations

U2 Discussion Questions What is needed in order for a civilization to be successful? Why were many early civilizations geographically located in the same areas? Which Area of Interaction do you think best fits this unit? Why?

Sumerians 4000-2330 B. C. Geography Fertile Crescent-region between the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf Mesopotamia-between the Tigris and Euphrates River

Sumerians Society/Government/Culture Made up of city-states (Babylon, Uruk, Ur) Theocracy Ziggurats; polytheistic Cuneiform

Sumerians Accomplishments Literature (Epics of Gilgamesh) School-men only; reading and writing Units of 60 Geometry and irrigation system Invented the wheel Plow; bronze tools and weapons Arches, ramps, columns Ivory carvings Umbrella

Akkadians From Arabia Led by Sargon I Conquered Mesopotamia and became the first known empire Adopted Sumerian way of life

Babylonians Amorites Hammurabi (Hammurabi’s Code) Social Classes Borrowed from Sumerians Organized society that included taxes, trade, strong military Conquered by Hittites (1600 B.C.)

Egypt 5000-1000 B. C. Geography Nile River (4, 160 miles long) Flooding-forced them to create irrigation system Sahara Desert

Egyptian Geography Cont… “The Black Land” Nile Delta Lower Egypt-North Upper Egypt-South

Old Kingdom 2650-2150 B. C. Menes-united upper and lower Egypt (3100 B. C.) Memphis-capital Pyramids Pharaohs Theocracy Bureaucracy-vizier

Middle Kingdom 2055-1650 B. C. Capital moved to Thebes Trade increased Expanded territory further South Taken over by Hyksos

New Kingdom 1550-1070 B. C. Overthrew Hyksos Strengthened military Expanded empire into Phoenicia and Syria Hatshepsut Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) Ramses II

Egyptian Society and Culture Polytheism Obelisks Mummification Art/paintings Games (board games, wrestling, dancing)

Obelisks

Eygptian Society and Culture Hieroglyphics Papyrus Rosetta Stone Book of the Dead Great Pyramid; Sphinx Math; medicine; astronomy

Great Sphinx

Great Pyramid

Aramaeans 1200 B. C. Damascus; Syria Trade; Egypt to Mesopotamia Contributed to written and spoken language

Hittites (2000-1200 B. C.) Empire in Western Asia (modern day Turkey) Iron weapons and chariots First people to make use of iron Conquered Babylon 1595 B. C. Borrowed Mesopotamian culture Fell to unknown group described as “Sea Peoples”

Phoenicians 3000 B. C. Lebanon Purple dye, glass, lumber Alphabet; maritime trade Established colonies for trade Established Carthage Byblos, Tyre, Sidon

Lydians (600’s B. C.) Asia Minor Economic Standards Coined money Set prices (did not barter)

Israelites 1500-722 B. C. Lived to the south of the Phoenicians Practiced Judaism Hebrew writings Torah

Abraham Abandon polytheism Covenant with God (Promised Land) Traveled to Canaan 12 sons of Jacob-12 tribes of Israel

Captivity in Egypt and the Exodus Left Canaan and traveled to Egypt Enslaved by Egyptians Moses Mt. Sinai Ten Commandments Exodus-journey out of Egypt Passover

Kingdom of Israel Original government divided by tribes and ruled by judges Saul-first king; not well supported by the people David-well-liked; strong military; Jerusalem Solomon-ruled during height; expanded trade; temple in Jerusalem

Decline Israel divided (Israel and Judah) Fell to the Assyrians (722 B. C.) Eventually enslaved by Chaldeans (586); known as Babylonian Captivity Diaspora

Assyrians 900 B. C. Nineveh Conquered Egypt, Mesopotamia, E. Asia Minor Powerful military-chariots, foot soldiers, cavalry, iron weapons, terrorism, cruel System of roads; messengers Library Conquered by Chaldeans (612 B. C.)

Chaldeans 612 B. C. – 539 B. C. Mesopotamia and Canaan Related to Babylonians Led by Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 B. C.) Enslaved Jews (Babylonian Captivity) Rebuilt Babylon Hanging Gardens Conquered by Persians

Nebuchadnezzar’s Hanging Gardens

The Ishtar Gate

Persian Empire

The Persian Empire 539 B. C. – 300s B.C. Originally settled in Iran 3000 miles wide; 50 million people Cyrus the Great-overthrew Medes rule; officially established Persian Empire; freed Jews from Babylon

Persia Cont…. Darius I-reformed military; Ten Thousand Immortals; tried to conquer Greece; reformed government Satraps/Satrapies Built roads; increased trade/wealth

Persia Cont…. Xerxes-tried to invade Greece but was defeated; last strong ruler of Persia Eventually conquered by Macedonians (Alexander the Great)

Persian Society and Culture Tolerant of other cultures Established capital cities (all connected by Royal Road) Royal Road-first highway; good communication

Zoroastrianism First dualistic religion Ahura Mazda-god of good Ahriman-god of evil Free will Avesta