ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST

PLACES AND TERMS Mesopotamia Fertile Crescent Culture Hearth Tigris River Euphrates River

SUMERIANS Thought to be the first civilization to have arisen in Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Developed the first written language, a system of writing called cuneiform. Built reservoirs to store water and canals to transport water to farmland. This was the first use of irrigation.

HITTITES Powerful warrior culture whose capital city was Hattusa Introduced the use of iron weapons into warfare. First people to use a treaty to settle a dispute (signed with Egypt in 1284 B.C.).

PHOENICIANS Seafaring civilization that arose along the Mediterranean Sea around 1200 B.C. Traded customs and goods with other ancient civilizations. More interested in trade than empire. Known for their alphabet, paper making, and glass.

HEBREWS Lived in land called Canaan around 1900 B.C. where they organized themselves into 12 tribes. Drought forced move to Egypt around 1800 B.C. They were later enslaved there. Led out of slavery by Moses, and later Joshua, to present day Israel. King David established Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

ASSYRIANS Excellent warriors who were trained to fight in divisions called infantries. Ruled the area of Mesopotamia around 1100 B.C. By 665 B.C. the Assyrians controlled most of Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, and Canaan.

CHALDEANS Conquered the Assyrians in 612 B.C. Later became called Babylonians. Conquered Jerusalem and forced Hebrews to move to Babylon. One of the first people to shape our modern understanding of math and astronomy.

PERSIANS Last of the great ancient Middle Eastern empires. Extended as far east as the Indus River in India. Constructed a canal to connect the Nile to the Red Sea. Fought against the Greeks in the Persian Wars. Conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 B.C.