Sea-faring traders

Today’s Goals: 9/2/11 Learning Goal: Why were the Phoenicians successful and what influence do they have on later cultures (even ours today)?

North Africa Political structure  Loose alliance of city-states, colonies throughout Mediterranean

A Phoenician Bireme Ship 1 st to sail beyond Strait of Gibraltar Ships were wide w/round bottoms Excellent shipbuilders and seafarers

Phoenician Sea Routes

Carthage: Phoenicia’s Mightiest Colony Phoenicians are considered “carriers of civilization” because they traded and spread cultures throughout the Mediterranean.

The “Royal Purple” Dye Murex – snails used to produce a red-purple dye

Phoenician Glass

Phoenician cedar was desired trade goodPhoenician cedar was desired trade good

Social Structure of the Phoenicians

Phoenician City of Byblos: “Home of the Alphabet” Their alphabet was phonetic, meaning it was based on sounds, not pictures.

Today’s Goal: What were the most significant accomplishments of the Assyrians and Chaldeans?

Assyrian Geography

Assyria’s capital was established at Nineveh Walls of Nineveh Their capital at Nineveh on the Tigris river had a constant supply of fresh water. Tribute and stolen treasures were displayed in this huge capital.

Assyrian Society 1)Nobility 2)Artisans 3)Unskilled free workers 4)Serfs (bound to land) 5)Slaves Women had lower position

Assyrian Empire

Assyrian god – they were polytheistic

Assyrian god Assur

Nineveh held one of the ancient world’s largest libraries King Ashurbanipal collected 20,000 clay tablets, including the Epic of Gilgamesh, in this library Tablets from his library

Flood Tablet found in Assurbanipal’s library

Used cuneiform, then later Aramaic

Constant warfare Innovations: –Battering ram –Cavalry –Leather & metal armor –Camels for desert warfare –Conscription (draft of soldiers) –Siege tower

Assyrian Conquests

Assyrian Guardian figure Weighs 30 tons 6 ½ ft high

Assyrian carving

Assyrian Winged Bull

Winged Assyrian Bull

Chaldeans and the Medes joined to defeat the Assyrians in 612 BC Why did other people in the region celebrate when the Assyrians were defeated?

Capital = Babylon Restored by King Nebuchadnezzar Ruins of Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar had the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (a garden on top of the palace) built for his wife

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Nebuchadnezzar II’s Babylon

Parts of Babylon have been rebuilt by Saddam Hussein

Rebuilt by Saddam Hussein

Iraq

Ishtar Gate of Babylon

Assyrians formed the basis for both astronomy & astrology.

First Historical Horoscope

Today’s Goal: What were the most significant accomplishments of the Assyrians and Chaldeans? With a partner, list what you think are the TOP 3 accomplishments of the Assyrians and Chaldeans (be able to explain why).