Grab a Herodotus Sheet and get out a piece of paper. Get out your web quest (I will be around to check it off) Take the first 5-10 mins of class answering the 3 questions on Herodotus. Don’t forget to sign up for a Prezi account and watch the tutorial videos!

Assyrian and Persian Empire Write down whatever is underlined

Other Accounts Accompanied Cambyses when he left Egypt in 522BC Udjahorresnet Ctesias Accompanied Cambyses when he left Egypt in 522BC Was an official of the government Later served under Darius Greek Physician and historian Calls Herodotus an inventor of fables (later than Herodotus also)

The Assyrians Rise to Power Assyria was a small kingdom of walled cities that was located north of Babylon. Their city was located in open land that was easily attacked, and they had to constantly defend themselves against invaders. They became skilled warriors. At around 1365 B.C., the Assyrians decided that the best defense they had was to attack other countries first, before they could attack them. By 650 B.C., Assyria had conquered a large empire. King Sargon II was a successful and ruthless Assyrian ruler.

Assyrian Empire – 650 B.C.

The Assyrian War Machine The Assyrians were geniuses at waging war. They invented the battering ram, which they used to pound down city walls. They used catapults to throw rocks at enemies, and they protected their archers with helmets and armor. Chariots were used to slash their way through enemy troops.

Assyrian Learning The capital of the Assyrian Empire was a city called Nineveh. Nineveh became a great city of learning. It had a famous library that held thousands of clay tablets with writings from Sumer and Babylon. These records tell us a lot about life in Mesopotamia.

Assyria Overthrown The people that the Assyrians conquered were constantly rebelling against Assyrian rule. Most of the time, the Assyrians crushed the people who tried to fight them. However, in 612 B.C., the Medes and Chaldeans joined together to smash the Assyrian empire.

Babylon Empire – 1787 B.C.

The New Babylonian Empire The Chaldeans created a new empire, centered at Babylon after they defeated the Assyrians in 612 BC. The greatest king of Babylon was Nebuchadnezzar II. He rebuilt Babylon and put massive walls around the city to protect it. He also built a great palace with hanging gardens.

A New Center for Learning Under the Chaldeans, the New Babylonian empire became a center of learning and science. Chaldean astronomers charted stars and measured the correct length of the year. Chaldean farmers raised bees for their honey. Many people came to Babylon to share ideas and discoveries. This clay tablet shows the world that was known to the Babylonians

Persian Empire – 490 B.C.

Rise of Persia Cyrus (Not Miley) the Great: military genius, leading his army from victory to victory and controlled a empire that spanned 2,000 miles Known for his method of governing Cambyses: Son of Cyrus known for going on a campaign through Egypt Darius: Cambyses successor noble ruler had begun his career as a member of the king’s bodyguard Genius in administration

Provinces and Satraps Satraps: a governor who ruled locally Two things helped Darius rule Royal Road: most famous road that ran from Susa to Sardis Road for traveling and trading Manufacturing metal coins

Zoroaster Persian Prophet Taught that the earth is a battleground where a great struggle is fought between the spirit of good and the spirit of evil Each person is expected to take part in this struggle 1 god Ahura Mazda He will judge how well someone fought the battle for good