Reading Check 1. What does Mesopotamia literally mean? 2. Where is it located geographically? 3. What Mesopotamian civilization did you read about last week? (Hint—S.) 4. Tell me one thing you learned about that civilization. 5. Name two of the other three empires you read about. (Hint—A, B, P)

Fertile Crescent Empires Babylon, Assyria, & Persia

Babylonian Empire Started as city by the Euphrates River in 1900 BCE Babylon--capital of Babylonian Empire Under King Hammurabi conquered all of the surrounding cities (including Sumer) to make it the Fertile Crescent’s 1st united empire in 1787 BCE. Empire-- an area of many territories and peoples that is controlled by one government Started as city by the Euphrates River in 1900 BCE Babylon--capital of Babylonian Empire Under King Hammurabi conquered all of the surrounding cities (including Sumer) to make it the Fertile Crescent’s 1st united empire in 1787 BCE. Empire-- an area of many territories and peoples that is controlled by one government

Babylonian Culture Very similar to Sumerian culture Adopted their religion, literature, inventions, & practices Became wealthy via trade & agriculture Trade required them to build roads & bazaars bazaar--outdoor market place for trading goods caravan--a group of travelers (Why travel together?)

Babylonian Accomplishments Hammurabi’s Code--first known, written set of laws, created by King of Babylon during his reign ( ) Created a useful system of mathematics & astronomy Math based on numbers from 1-60 Does this sound familiar? Allowed them to calculate areas of geometric shapes Why would this be important for building an empire? Hammurabi’s Code--first known, written set of laws, created by King of Babylon during his reign ( ) Created a useful system of mathematics & astronomy Math based on numbers from 1-60 Does this sound familiar? Allowed them to calculate areas of geometric shapes Why would this be important for building an empire?

The End of Babylon All their wealth couldn’t save them from conquest… They fell to another, growing empire in 1500 BCE.

The Assyrian Empire Civilization on upper Tigris River in an open plain Capital—Nineveh Frequently attacked by invaders Developed standing army (soldiers who serve in military as their primary job) By 1365 BCE decided that best defense was a good offense! They started creating their own empire!

The Assyrian Army Fierce & cruel warriors Weapons made of iron (rather than copper or bronze) Created forts & government to administer conquered cities First mail service to communicate between cities in empire Other Advancements: Trained Horses & Chariots Archers & Stone Slings Battering Rams

The Softer Side of the Assyrians They created a great library with clay tablets from Sumer & Babylon.

Biggest=Best? By 650 BCE, Empire stretched from The Nile River to the Persian Gulf! (See map on p. 39 in textbook.) Captured enemies (murdering or enslaving them), plundered & looted cities, & demanded taxes (tributes) from the vanquished. The Assyrians were widely hated. Several revolt attempts Medes & Chaldeans overthrew them in 612 BCE. By 650 BCE, Empire stretched from The Nile River to the Persian Gulf! (See map on p. 39 in textbook.) Captured enemies (murdering or enslaving them), plundered & looted cities, & demanded taxes (tributes) from the vanquished. The Assyrians were widely hated. Several revolt attempts Medes & Chaldeans overthrew them in 612 BCE.

Babylon’s Back, Baby! What city rose out of the ashes of Nineveh? The Chaldeans made the city of Babylon their new capital. This time around their most important king was Nebuchadnezzar II Ruled from BCE Babylon grew strong under him What city rose out of the ashes of Nineveh? The Chaldeans made the city of Babylon their new capital. This time around their most important king was Nebuchadnezzar II Ruled from BCE Babylon grew strong under him

More Babylonian Accomplishments Center of Math & Science Astronomy so accurate could calculate length of year to within minutes of modern methods! Started domesticating honey bees (Why?) Center of Math & Science Astronomy so accurate could calculate length of year to within minutes of modern methods! Started domesticating honey bees (Why?)

Reasons to Remember Babylon: Huge wall surrounding the city Beautifully decorated Towers for guards 4-Horse Chariot-wide Famous Gate of Ishtar

Reasons to Remember Babylon: Hanging Gardens of Babylon Built by Nebuchadnezzar Beautifully decorated Roof-top tropical gardens In the middle of the desert 1 of 7 Wonders of the Ancient World Why? Let’s find out...

This Time Babylon Falls & Stays Down Nebuchadnezzar is succeeded by his son in 562 BCE, but he’s assassinated just three years later. Within a few years, new empire invades

The Persian Empire ( BCE)

The Persian Empire Located east of Fertile Crescent (modern-day Iran & Afghanistan) People were Indo-Europeans called Aryans (source of Iran’s name) Started in 550 BCE by Persian province ruler named Cyrus the Great ( BCE) United Medes & Persians into a strong army and later a kingdom Located east of Fertile Crescent (modern-day Iran & Afghanistan) People were Indo-Europeans called Aryans (source of Iran’s name) Started in 550 BCE by Persian province ruler named Cyrus the Great ( BCE) United Medes & Persians into a strong army and later a kingdom

The Persian Empire Army of archers & cavalrymen conquered most of ancient world (See map on p. 39) Turkey India Egypt Unlike Assyrians, they were benevolent: Freed Jews Treated conquered fairly & kindly (did force tributes) Allowed them to maintain culture Army of archers & cavalrymen conquered most of ancient world (See map on p. 39) Turkey India Egypt Unlike Assyrians, they were benevolent: Freed Jews Treated conquered fairly & kindly (did force tributes) Allowed them to maintain culture

Ruling the Biggest Empire Emperor Darius I ( BCE) set up system to organize the empire: Divided into 20 provinces Each managed by governors Judges & Tax Collectors appointed Surprise inspectors Well paved roads which led to international trade

Bureaucracy complex structure of government offices needed to govern a vast empire or nation (negative connotation)

Zoroastrianism the official religion of the Persian Empire had one supreme god who made world, sun, moon & stars What is this kind of religion called? the official religion of the Persian Empire had one supreme god who made world, sun, moon & stars What is this kind of religion called?

The Persian Empire Lasted until Alexander the Great conquered it in 330 BCE