The First Civilizations Chapter 1, Section 3 Mrs. Thompson 8th Grade World History

The First Empires Main Idea: Assyria's military power and well-organized government helped it build a vast empire in Mesopotamia by 650 B.C.

The Assyrians lived to the north of Mesopotamia near the Tigris River in an area of fertile valleys. To defend Assyria from invaders, they built a large army. By 900 B.C., the Assyrians took over all of Mesopotamia and founded an empire.

Why Were The Assyrians So Strong? Archers armed with bows and arrows Foot soldiers armed with spears and daggers. The Assyrian army was well organized with: Soldiers who fought on horseback. Chariot Riders

Chariots & Warriors

Assyrian Soldiers Assyrian army was the 1st to use iron weapons. They learned a way of making iron strong enough for weapons from a group of people called the Hittites. By heating iron ore, hammering it, and quickly cooling it, they made iron weapons that were superior to those made of copper or tin.

1. They tunneled under walls or climbed over them on ladders Assyrian warriors were ferocious fighters and used many war tactics to defeat their enemies such as: 1. They tunneled under walls or climbed over them on ladders 2. The loaded tree trunks onto movable platforms and used them as battering rams to knock down city gates. 3.They burned down the buildings of captured cities.

5. Punished anyone who resisted Assyrian rule. Assyrian warriors were ferocious fighters and used many war tactics to defeat their enemies such as: 4. They stole goods and took people as prisoners from captured cities. 5. Punished anyone who resisted Assyrian rule. 6. They drove people from their lands and moved them into foreign territory.

They resettled captured territories Assyrian warriors were ferocious fighters and used many war tactics to defeat their enemies such as: They resettled captured territories with new settlers and forced them to pay high taxes.

Jewish Captives: 8c BCE The Assyrians forced the Hebrews from their homeland and took them into captivity.

The Assyrian Empire ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license.

A Well-Organized Government By about 650 B.C., the Assyrians had created an empire that stretched from the Persian Gulf in the East to Egypt’s Nile River in the West. The capital of Assyria was Nineveh. US military at the gates of ancient Nineveh (in Iraq).

A Well-Organized Government Assyrians were strong rulers who divided their empire into provinces or political districts. Officials governed in provinces, collected taxes, and enforced laws. The Assyrians built a system of roads to join the empire. Soldiers were posted along the roads to protect traders and government messengers from bandits.

Assyrian Military Power Assyrian soldiers carrying away the enemy’s gods.

Life in Assyria The Assyrians worshipped the same gods as other Mesopotamians. Their writing was based on Babylonian writing. Assyrian temple walls (above); Assyrian proclamation

Life in Assyria Lawbreakers often faced more brutal and cruel punishments in Assyria. The Assyrians were skilled craftsmen who built large temples and palaces filled with wall carvings and statues.

Life in Assyria Assyrians produced and Collected literature and built The world’s 1st library at nineveh That held 25,000 tablets Of stories and songs.

How Did the Assyrian Empire End? Assyria’s cruel treatment of people led to many rebellions. By 650 B.C., they began fighting over who would be the next king. A group of people in Mesopotamia called the Chaldeans, rebelled and captured Nineveh. Assyria crumbled!

The Chaldeans Main Idea: The Chaldean Empire built important landmarks in Babylon and developed the first calendar with a seven-day week.

The Chaldeans built the city of Babylon as the center of their empire. By 605 B.C., Chaldean King Nebuchadnezzar gained Control of Mesopotamia Chaldeans were Descendants of ancient Babylonians who made up King Hammurabi’s Empire. The Chaldeans built the city of Babylon as the center of their empire.

Nebuchadnezzar II’s Babylon

Babylon under the Chaldeans

The City of Babylon Babylon became the world’s largest and richest city because it was located on the major trade route between the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea. It was surrounded by a wide brick wall with towers for soldiers to keep watch. Babylon had large palaces and at its center was a ziggurat that reached over 300 ft. high. Site of ancient Babylonian wall

Hanging Gardens of Babylon Built as part of the king’s palace in Babylon was the Hanging Gardens, one of the ancient wonders of world.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon The Hanging Gardens were built by Nebuchadnezzar to please his wife The gardens had large trees, flowering vines, beautiful plants, and a pump that brought in water from the river.

Ishtar Gate The Ishtar Gate was at the main entrance to ancient Babylon

Outside the center of Babylon were houses and marketplaces where artsans made pottery, cloth, baskets, and jewelry. Artisans sold their goods to passing caravans or groups of traveling merchants.

Astronomers - people who study the heavenly bodies - mapped stars, planets, and the phases of the moon. Chaldeans made one of the 1st sundials and were the first the have a 7 day week. Babylon was the center of science

Why did the Chaldean Empire fall? The Chaldeans found it hard to control the peoples they had conquered. By 539 B.C., the Persians captured Babylon and made it part of the Persian Empire.