Babylonians King Hammurabi Took over Sumer around 1800 BC became Babylonian Empire Contributions: Code of Hammurabi One of the earliest written law codes “ Eye for an eye ” punishment Lower class/women punished more severely than upper class/ men (unequal) Astronomy Believed stars affected their lives BUT learned to predict eclipses and recognize planets Realized Earth moves around sun 12 months in a year 24 hours in a day 60 minutes in an hour

Assyrians Northern Mesopotamia Assur- city near Tigris river Led by Shamashi-Adad Dictator Killed anyone who challenged power Killed leaders of conquered cities Never challenged Babylon Sons weakened empire and Hammurabi conquered

Quick Quiz What major change occurred as part of the Neolithic Revolution? Which leader unified Babylon? What type of government did the Assyrians have?

Egypt Geography 550 miles long, 15 miles on both sides of Nile Nile floods once a year leaving rich soil Early Government Needed to control flooding and for irrigation Build dams, reservoirs, and canals Eventually formed two kingdoms Upper and Lower Egypt 3100 BC Menes united the two He was first Pharaoh

Hebrews Terah- Abram’s father leaves Ur after Sargon’s death, possibly due to fighting between city-states Family settles in Haran After Terah’s death, Abram moves to Canaan (beginning of monotheism ) Abraham has son Isaac Isaac has Jacob Jacob has 12 sons Joseph is the favorite son. Jealous brother sell him into slavery. Ends up in Egypt as advisor to pharaoh.

Quick Quiz What is Zoroastrianism? Explain monotheism. What is polytheism?

Phoenicians 1200 BC, Semitic Speaking people from North of Palestine Skilled shipbuilders and navigators Traded throughout Mediterranean and to Europe and Africa Contributions “ Missionaries of Civilization ” Brought Mediterranean culture and products to less advanced regions Traded Purple Dye made from crushed snail shells Alphabet Based on sound with 22 letters; Phonetic Alphabet Eventually becomes the alphabet we use

Phoencians

Assyrians 800 BC, Semitic Speaking People from Northern Mesopotamia First to have iron weapons siege towers, and battering rams Used terror and cruelty Took over from Tigris to Egypt Contributions Library at Nineveh Remains of documents have given us much information about ancient Middle East Military roads to move troops quickly