Do Now Pretend that a group conquered the United States. List some characteristics that you hope your conquerors would have (at least 4). Consider: What kind of rights would you like to keep? Quiz on this stuff tomorrow!!
Three Empires that will give you a reason to live. The Assyrians, Chaldeans, and Persians
Where the heck is Assyria? Upper part of Tigris River Valley Present Day Syria Spread all the way into Egypt!
The Assyrian Army Feared warriors, very organized army 1 st to use separate units of infantry and cavalry All adult men served in army
Assyrians, Cont… Assyrian Army conquered many people. Forced them to pay heavy taxes. Built up capital city of Nineveh with taxes.
King Ashurbanipal Ashurbanipal ruled around 650 B.C. Divided empire into provinces with governors that controlled each. Built network of roads to improve communication. Very well-educated, collected a library of over 20,000 tablets of poetry, mathematics, epics, etc.
Goodbye Assyrians, Here Come the Chaldeans! Assyrians conquered by Chaldeans 612BC Chaldean = Babylonian Chaldean King Nebechadnezzar leads invasion of Israel. Destroys Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple
- Nebuchadrezzar built “Hanging Gardens” palace for wife. - One of 7 wonders of ancient world.
Bring In the Persians! Chaldeans conquered by Persians in 539 BC Persians develop largest empire in world. Known for being nice to conquered people.
Cyrus the Great! Ruled 559 BC – 530 BC Expanded empire Freed Hebrews from Assyrians in Jerusalem Also set up satrapies (provinces) governed by a satrap. Typically appointed locals to run satrapies. Later, created road system to travel between satrapies. Developed a system of coinage
Zoroastrianism Began by worshipping many gods Religious leader Zoroaster changed this with belief of 2 major gods – good and evil spirit. Also used concept of judgment day. ges/farohar1_small.jpg
Reflection Of the previous empires, which would seem to be the best group to be ruled by? Give at least 2 examples for why. Don’t forget the quiz tomorrow!