Military Empires 1. The Assyrians 2. The Chaldeans 3. The Persians

The Assyrians Located in Mesopotamia Located in Mesopotamia * upper part of the Tigris River * upper part of the Tigris River Used the same writing system and language as the Babylonians Used the same writing system and language as the Babylonians Assyrians- Warrior like people Assyrians- Warrior like people * Major focus on military * Major focus on military

The Assyrian Army Well organized and extremely powerful Well organized and extremely powerful Divided into small groups: Divided into small groups: 1. Foot soldiers 1. Foot soldiers 2. Charioteers 2. Charioteers 3. Cavalry 3. Cavalry 4. Archers 4. Archers Fighting in the army became a year round job Fighting in the army became a year round job

Assyrian Weapons Most of their weapons were made of Iron Most of their weapons were made of Iron * Were harder and stronger * Were harder and stronger Smelting- heating the iron, hammering out all its impurities and rapidly cooling it Smelting- heating the iron, hammering out all its impurities and rapidly cooling it * Made the iron last longer * Made the iron last longer * Borrowed this skill from the Hittites * Borrowed this skill from the Hittites * Changes how Wars are fought * Changes how Wars are fought

Cruel Tactics Assyrians were cruel warriors Assyrians were cruel warriors * Brought Death and Destruction to Middle East * Brought Death and Destruction to Middle East Skilled in attacking cities: Skilled in attacking cities: 1. Tunneled under walls 1. Tunneled under walls 2. Rammed through the gates 2. Rammed through the gates 3. Set fire to everything 3. Set fire to everything 4. Carried away people and goods 4. Carried away people and goods People were afraid of the Assyrians because they had a “BAD REPUTATION” People were afraid of the Assyrians because they had a “BAD REPUTATION”

Kings and Government Kings- great leaders of the Assyrian people Kings- great leaders of the Assyrian people * Ashurbanipal- started one of the worlds first libraries * Ashurbanipal- started one of the worlds first libraries Assyrian Kings have to control: Assyrian Kings have to control: 1. Many people 1. Many people 2. Large areas of land 2. Large areas of land ** Provinces- political districts divided up to help manage the empire * All were connected by a system of roads * All were connected by a system of roads

End of the Assyrians Assyrian rule came to an end because: 1. Empire grew too large 1. Empire grew too large 2. Capital city of Nineveh was captured by the Chaldeans 2. Capital city of Nineveh was captured by the Chaldeans ** Empire crumbled shortly after ** Empire crumbled shortly after

The Chaldeans King Nebuchadnezzar- famous king and successful ruler King Nebuchadnezzar- famous king and successful ruler * Empire stretched from modern day Syria and Palestine * Empire stretched from modern day Syria and Palestine Called themselves “Babylonians” Called themselves “Babylonians” Babylon- capital city and richest city in the world at this time Babylon- capital city and richest city in the world at this time

Babylon Babylon- worlds richest city at this time in history (1 million people lived here) Babylon- worlds richest city at this time in history (1 million people lived here) Ishtar Gate- main entrance into Babylon Ishtar Gate- main entrance into Babylon Center City: 1. Palaces and Temples 2. Large ziggurats and garden areas Babylon had: 1. Own police force 2. Postal service

Interesting Rituals ** King Nebuchadnezzar built a beautiful street paved with limestone and marble Each Spring: 1. Thousands of people crowded into the square to watch a gold statue of the god Marduk being wheeled along the street 1. Thousands of people crowded into the square to watch a gold statue of the god Marduk being wheeled along the street 2. Thought this was good luck for their crops 2. Thought this was good luck for their crops

Babylonian Marketplace Outside the center of the city was the marketplace and houses Outside the center of the city was the marketplace and houses * sold pottery, cloth, baskets, food * sold pottery, cloth, baskets, food Caravans- groups of traveling merchants Caravans- groups of traveling merchants * traders would come to Babylon to exchange goods, services and ideas * traders would come to Babylon to exchange goods, services and ideas

Science in Babylon Astronomers- people who study, collect and explain facts about the stars and atmosphere Astronomers- people who study, collect and explain facts about the stars and atmosphere * studied the stars, planets, moon * studied the stars, planets, moon * created a 7 day week * created a 7 day week * developed the phases of the moon * developed the phases of the moon

The End of the Babylonians Grew too large to handle/manage their empire Grew too large to handle/manage their empire By 529 B.C.- the Persians had conquered Babylon and made them part of their huge empire By 529 B.C.- the Persians had conquered Babylon and made them part of their huge empire

The Persians Originally part of the Aryans from Central Asia (cattle herders) Originally part of the Aryans from Central Asia (cattle herders) Settled in between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf (modern day Iran) Settled in between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf (modern day Iran) * today these people are called Iranians * today these people are called Iranians * Iran means “Land of the Aryans” * Iran means “Land of the Aryans”

Army and Empire King Cyrus organized a massive army to help protect the new territories of Persia King Cyrus organized a massive army to help protect the new territories of Persia Army was hundreds of thousands of people Army was hundreds of thousands of people * officers were Persian * officers were Persian * foot soldiers were Persian or conquered people * foot soldiers were Persian or conquered people

The Army The Immortals- size of the army was NEVER less than 10,000 people The Immortals- size of the army was NEVER less than 10,000 people * if someone died, they replaced them * if someone died, they replaced them * “Immortal”- cannot die * “Immortal”- cannot die Strong Army allowed them to rule an empire from India to Egypt Strong Army allowed them to rule an empire from India to Egypt * Allowed their conquered people freedom * Allowed their conquered people freedom * Loyalty was won w/ fairness NOT fear and force * Loyalty was won w/ fairness NOT fear and force

King Darius and the City of Persepolis King Darius- one of the strongest kings of the Persian empire King Darius- one of the strongest kings of the Persian empire * wanted to build a huge monument in his honor * wanted to build a huge monument in his honor * built a giant fortress at the capital city of Persepolis * built a giant fortress at the capital city of Persepolis Persepolis- became the most powerful city in all of Persia

Government The King chose a Governor, Secretary and a General for each of the 20 provinces of Persia The King chose a Governor, Secretary and a General for each of the 20 provinces of Persia Provinces- territorial boundary (like a city state or district) Provinces- territorial boundary (like a city state or district) * made it easier to manage the empire * made it easier to manage the empire Officials reported to the King Officials reported to the King * all taxes went to the royal treasury in Persepolis * all taxes went to the royal treasury in Persepolis

Family Life Persian Families 1. Very large 2. Father was the head of the household 3. Boys were raised to enter the military 4. Poor women worked very hard 5. Rich women were protected but sheltered ** Valued the family but the focus was on preparing for the military and protection

Religion Zoroaster preached about 2 primary gods Zoroaster preached about 2 primary gods 1. Ahura Mazda- wise and truthful (GOOD) 1. Ahura Mazda- wise and truthful (GOOD) 2. Ahriman- dark and negative (EVIL) 2. Ahriman- dark and negative (EVIL) ** constantly at war with eachother ** constantly at war with eachother Humans had to decide which god they would support (GOOD or EVIL) Humans had to decide which god they would support (GOOD or EVIL) 1. Good Deeds- keeping your word, working hard, obeying the king 1. Good Deeds- keeping your word, working hard, obeying the king 2. Bad Deeds- being lazy, stealing, lying 2. Bad Deeds- being lazy, stealing, lying ** Supporting good would result in happiness

Trade The Persians focused on the military first The Persians focused on the military first * Trade was not done by the Persians * Trade was not done by the Persians * Only the people they conquered traded * Only the people they conquered traded Trade became easier when: 1. They expanded their system of roads (connections throughout the empire) (connections throughout the empire) 2. They had many people/groups to trade with ** Royal Road- trade route in Persia that was over 1,600 miles in length

Using Coins for Money Gold coins were first used in Lydia Gold coins were first used in Lydia Lydia- small city in Asia Minor that was conquered by the Persians Lydia- small city in Asia Minor that was conquered by the Persians * Once they conquered, they used their idea of trading coins during transactions * Once they conquered, they used their idea of trading coins during transactions Transactions- selling of goods in a marketplace ** soon gold coins became standard and popular ** soon gold coins became standard and popular