Kingdoms and Empires in the Middle East Cultural Diffusion in the Middle East

Trading Peoples The Aramaens: settled in Syria @ 1200 B.C. Est. Damascus as the capital city Controlled overland trade (Egypt & Mesopotamia) Aramaic became the trade language of the Med. The Phoenicians: Settled in Canaan Known as Palestine, “land of the Philistines” Controlled the overseas trade in the Med. Sea Used an alphabet to keep track of records Set up colonies and trading posts The Lydians: Lived in Asia Minor (Turkey) Prosperous lifestyles Replaced barter system with a money system

The Early Israelites 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

The Early Israelites Moses and the Exodus from Egypt Commemorated Passover The Ten Commandments & “Promised Land” Settling in Canaan: Joshua led them into Canaan Fought against the Canaanites and Philistines Judges led the Twelve Tribes of Israel Saul (r. 1020-1012 B.C.): first Israelite king David (r. 1012-961 B.C.) Defeated Goliath Set up the capital in Jerusalem – economic prosperity Solomon (r. 961-922 B.C.) Built the Temple in Jerusalem Very prosperous economically

Early Israelites Israel’s Struggle Exile of Kingdoms 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

Lasting Legacy of the Israelites The Jews view on occurrences Everything happened according to God’s purpose Believe that humans have an infinite worth Humans are accountable for what goes on in the world b/c we work in a partnership with God

Empire Builders

The Assyrians 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 an Empire (capital – Nineveh) Divided the empire into provinces Built a sophisticated system of roads 612 B.C. – the Chaldeans defeated the Assyrians

The Chaldeans(New Babylonians) Descendents of Hammurabi’s Empire Nebuchadnezzar – the 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

The Persians Settled in Iran in 2000s B.C. Cyrus II (540s B.C.) Developed a strong military Conquered the Medes (expanded the empire) Took over land in Asia Minor (Lydia/Greek city- states) 525 B.C. – Cambyses conquered Egypt Persian Empire covered 3,000 miles & 50 million people Darius I (522-486 B.C.) Empire’s best organizer (satraps and provinces) “Eyes and Ears of the King” inspectors Brought artisans in to build Persepolis

The Persians Persian Empire Persian Religion and Culture Treated conquered people fairly Improved the network of roads Persian Religion and Culture Strict moral code Polytheistic until 500s B.C. Zoroaster: (Ahura Mazda & Ahriman) Good vs. Evil – Good will win in the end Fall of Persia Darius waged war with the Greeks for control of Asia Minor 480 B.C. Xerxes lost to the Greeks