Indo-European Migrations: 4m- 2m BCE The Middle East: “The Crossroads of Three Continents”

The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”

Sumerian Religion - Polytheistic Enki Innana Anthropomorphic Gods

Settled in Mesopotamia in 3500 B.C.Settled in Mesopotamia in 3500 B.C. Built the world’s first cities (Ur, Uruk, Eridu)Built the world’s first cities (Ur, Uruk, Eridu) Built ziggurats – temples in each city- stateBuilt ziggurats – temples in each city- state –only priests could enter the temples Government: each city was independentGovernment: each city was independent –A military leader was chosen to lead/protect –2700: military leaders were viewed as kings –Leaders served as king and high priest –The legal systems were not clear or consistent

Roles of Men and WomenRoles of Men and Women –Men had ultimate authority over families –Women possessed very few rights (buy/sell prop.) Writing SystemWriting System –Cuneiform: pictograms on wet clay –Gilgamesh was 1850 B.C. Religion: each god was over a natural forceReligion: each god was over a natural force –The gods were viewed as unpredictable/angry Inventions:Inventions: –The wheel, 12 mo. Calendar, arch, and sundial –Developed bronze and metal plow

Mesopotamian Trade “The Cuneiform World”

Cuneiform: “Wedge-Shaped” Writing

Deciphering Cuneiform

Gilgamesh

Ziggurat at Ur  Temple  “Mountain of the Gods”  Temple  “Mountain of the Gods”

Sophisticated Metallurgy Skills at Ur

Sargon of Akkad: The World’s First Empire Came to power in the 2300s B.C. United the Mesopotamian city-states Sargon of Akkad: The World’s First Empire Came to power in the 2300s B.C. United the Mesopotamian city-states

The Babylonian Empires

Hammurabi’s Babylonian EmpireHammurabi’s Babylonian Empire –Amorites overran Sumerian centers (Babylon) –Hammurabi became the dominant ruler –Law Code: “Made Justice Appear in the Land” Law covered the entire regionLaw covered the entire region 282 sections on Daily Life282 sections on Daily Life Clear punishment for crimesClear punishment for crimes Babylonian SocietyBabylonian Society –Upper Class: Kings, priests, nobles –Middle Class: artisans, merchants, scribes, farmers –Lower Class: slaves (from war/had not paid debts) –Borrowed ideas and techniques from Sumerians Writing system, farming techniques, & religionWriting system, farming techniques, & religion

Hammurabi’s [r B. C. E.] Code

Hittite Empire

Hattusas: Capital of the Hittites

Hittite Chariots & Warriors

A Balance of Power: 1200 B. C. E.

The Battle of Kadesh Treaty of Kadesh Ramses II at Kadesh

Phoenician Sea Routes

The Phoenicians: Settled in Canaan – –Known as Palestine, “land of the Philistines” – –Controlled the trade in the Med. Sea – –Used an alphabet to keep track of records – –Set up colonies and trading posts

Phoenician Alphabet

Carthage: Phoenicia’s Mightiest Colony

The Assyrian Empire

Lived in northern Mesopotamia Most lethal and ruthless military in the Middle East – –Organized the military into different groups – –Fought with iron weapons 650 BC: had created Empire (capital – Nineveh) – –Divided the empire into provinces – –Built a sophisticated system of roads 612 B.C. – the Chaldeans defeated the Assyrians

Jewish Captives: 8 c BCE

Babylon under the Chaldeans

Descendents of Hammurabi’s Empire Nebuchadnezzar – most powerful king – –Expanded the empire to include Syria/Canaan Studied astrology: laid foundation for astronomy Decline after Nebuchadnezzar – –weak kings + poor harvest + slow trade 539 B.C. – Persians seized Babylon

Nebuchadnezzar II’s Babylon

Hanging Gardens of Babylon?

Abraham’s Geneaology ABRAHAM SARAH HAGAR Isaac Esau Jacob 12 Tribes of Israel Ishmael 12 Arabian Tribes

Lived in Canaan (Abraham) Monotheistic – –Worshiped one God (Yahweh) A divine covenant w/ Abraham Lived as nomadic shepherds Jacob and 12 sons – –Joseph was sold into slavery – –Fled to Egypt – –Later enslaved

Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People The Torah  The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible.  The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.  The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible.  The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.

Moses “Prince of Egypt” “Shepherd of His People”

Moses and the Exodus from Egypt – –Commemorated Passover Settling in Canaan: Joshua led them into Canaan – –Fought against the Canaanites and Philistines – –Judges led the Twelve Tribes of Israel Saul (r B.C.): first Israelite king David (r B.C.) – –Defeated Goliath – –Set up the capital in Jerusalem – economic prosperity Solomon (r B.C.) – –Built the Temple in Jerusalem – –Very prosperous economically

The Exodus

Route of the Exodus

Moses and the 10 Commandmets A new “covenant” with Yahweh

Mount Sinai

King David’s Empire

Solomon’s Kingdom Solomon’s Kingdom

Inside the Temple Tabernacle The Arc of the Covenant

The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Today Solomon’s Temple Wall: The “Wailing” Wall

Israel’s Struggle – –10 northern tribes broke away from the southern 2 – –The 2 southern tribes became Judah (Jews) Exile of Kingdoms – –Assyrians and Chaldeans invaded and enslaved Israel – –Exile in Babylon – prophets (Jeremiah) rose up Rebuilding Jerusalem – –539 B.C. the Persians (Cyrus) conquered the Chaldeans – –Darius allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild – –The Torah was organized (first 5 books of the O.T.) – –The Diaspora (the scattering) began

Kingdoms of Judah & Israel Kingdoms of Judah & Israel

The Persians

The Persian Empire

Cyrus the Great 580 – 529 B. C. E.  A A tolerant ruler  he Allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions.  The Greeks called him a “Law-Giver.” he Jews called him “the anointed of the Lord.” (In 537, he allowed over 40,000 to return to Palestine).

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)  B Built Persepolis.  He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. s.q. mi.)  Built a canal in Egypt.

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)  E Established a tax-collecting system.  Divided the empire into districts called SATRAPS.  Built the great Royal Road system.  Established a complex postal system.  Created a network of spies called “the King’s eyes and ears.”

Ancient Persepolis

Persepolis

Persian Archers & Soldiers

Zarathustra [Zoroaster], 6c BCE : Good Thoughts, Good Deed, Good Words “Tree of Life”

Extent of Zoroastrianism

Dualistic Battle of Good vs. Evil Ahura Mazda “Holy Spirit” Ahriman “Destructive Spirit”

Zend-Avesta (The “Book of Law”) The “Sacred Fire”  the force to fight evil