Unit 2: Chapter 4 Section 2
Warmup What is this structure? Where is it located? Which ancient empire created/owned it?
Assyrian Military Machine 850 B.C. Assyria (North Mesopotamia) acquired a large empire By 650 BC, they had defeated: Syria, Palestine, Babylonia, Egypt, & Anatolia
Looking at the maps, why do you believe the Assyrians had to develop a strong military?
Assyrian Culture Capital City – Nineveh (Mosul, Iraq) Government = monarchy (king) -Walled City: 50” thick, 100’ high 3 miles long
Nineveh walls
Assyrian Military Machine Military was a greatly organized and deadly fighting force. “Laid siege” to a city with a disciplined military machine: infantry, cavalry, chariots, archers, & battering rams Burned cities & ordered most inhabitants killed
Military-Led by King/Generals Generals hunting lions. Showed strength & power. What do you see? What do you think it means?
Combat Soldiers
Assyrian Legacy Most feared and hated people of the ancient world Impaled Put eyes out Skinned Hot Oil Enslavement Decapitation Picture of an Assyrian skinning an Israelite.
Assyrian Brutality
Impalement The execution by piercing an individual with a long stake or pike.
Decapitation - Beheaded Assyrians received a bounty for each head and paraded before the king
Enslavement Females in harems Skilled workers kept alive for labor
Unit 2: The Persians Chapter 4, Section3
Rise of Persia Also called the “New Babylonian Empire”
King Nebuchadnezzar’s (Babylonian) Achievements Built the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon for his wife who missed the mountains of her homeland. 75’ tall; watered by an elaborate irrigation system & slaves. Nebuchadnezzar also ordered the building of the Tower of Babel- a 300’ high ziggurat
Biblical Babylon Babylon Today
Babylon Today Taken from a helicopter, this photograph provides an aerial view of Saddam's Presidential palace (on the hill) at the ruins of ancient Babylon near Al Hillah, Iraq. The Euphrates River is in the foreground. The open plain behind the ruins is the area of the Tower of Babel, described in the Book of Genesis.
Babylon Falls 612 B.C. – the city of Nineveh was burned and leveled by the Assyrians The Babylonians and Assyrians merged cultures to become known as Persians This is an example of syncretism
Rise of PERSIA Persians used diplomacy and a strong military to forge an empire. Government: absolute monarchy ~A king has total authority Persian rulers were strong, tolerant, & fair. (Cyrus the Great)
King Cyrus the Great, 550-530 BC Did not allow conquered cities to be burned & looted. Honored local cultures, very tolerant Freed Jews, allowing them to return to Israel to rebuild the temple Tomb of Cyrus the Great
ROYAL ROAD Ran 1,677 miles There were 111 posts spaced about 15 miles apart; similar to the American Pony Express Royal messengers could travel the road in seven days. Created to connect ALL the cities within the Empire with one road.
Royal Road Royal Road Eastern or Southern Route
Make a T-Shirt! With a partner, go to www.customink.com Go to “Design Lab” Make a t-shirt supporting the Persians and/or Assyrians (like something you would wear at a soccer game!) Hit “Save/Send” and send it to alexandra.caspers@austinisd.org Make it AWESOME! These will be displayed for Back to School Night Print it on the library computers