Trading Civilizations of the Ancient Mediterranean MinoansPhoeniciansHebrews

Minoans Trading culture on the island of Crete Trading culture on the island of Crete Peaceful—no fortifications around cities Peaceful—no fortifications around cities Athletic, artistic, religious, and prosperous Athletic, artistic, religious, and prosperous Culture declined after the eruption of the Island of Thera Culture declined after the eruption of the Island of Thera Influenced other Mediterranean cultures, like the Greeks Influenced other Mediterranean cultures, like the Greeks

Phoenicians Trading culture in the Eastern Mediterranean, in present day Lebanon Trading culture in the Eastern Mediterranean, in present day Lebanon Excellent shipbuilders & sailors—first to sail past the Strait of Gibraltar, trading posts in Britain, sailed around Africa Excellent shipbuilders & sailors—first to sail past the Strait of Gibraltar, trading posts in Britain, sailed around Africa Traded purple dye (from Murex snails), glass sculptures, and pottery Traded purple dye (from Murex snails), glass sculptures, and pottery

Hebrews Originated in Palestine (Eastern shore of the Mediterranean), settled in an area of Palestine called Canaan Originated in Palestine (Eastern shore of the Mediterranean), settled in an area of Palestine called Canaan Followers of the first monotheistic religion, Judaism Followers of the first monotheistic religion, Judaism Hebrew history, legends, & laws form the foundation of our culture Hebrew history, legends, & laws form the foundation of our culture

Abraham & the Covenant Abraham, a shepherd from Ur, made a promise to worship one and only one god Abraham, a shepherd from Ur, made a promise to worship one and only one god In return God protects his descendants & they create a powerful nation In return God protects his descendants & they create a powerful nation Abraham moved from Ur to Canaan Abraham moved from Ur to Canaan Abraham’s descendants formed the 12 tribes of Israel Abraham’s descendants formed the 12 tribes of Israel

Monotheism The mutual promise between Abraham & God is a covenant The mutual promise between Abraham & God is a covenant Hebrews call God “Yaweh” Hebrews call God “Yaweh” God is not a physical being, and there are no images of him God is not a physical being, and there are no images of him

Moses Hebrews moved to Egypt during a drought & eventually were enslaved Hebrews moved to Egypt during a drought & eventually were enslaved Moses was raised as a prince of Egypt and then leads the Israelites out of slavery, this is called the Exodus (Passover) Moses was raised as a prince of Egypt and then leads the Israelites out of slavery, this is called the Exodus (Passover) He received the 10 Commandments on Mt. Sinai forming a new covenant with God He received the 10 Commandments on Mt. Sinai forming a new covenant with God

Hebrew History & Laws The 12 tribes settled in Canaan and formed self-governed territories The 12 tribes settled in Canaan and formed self-governed territories Jewish Torah=the first five books of the Christian Bible Jewish Torah=the first five books of the Christian Bible Goal of Judaism is to lead a moral life following God’s laws Goal of Judaism is to lead a moral life following God’s laws Jewish ethnicity is passed through the mother Jewish ethnicity is passed through the mother

Kingdom of Israel, BC Saul, David, & Solomon unite the tribes & form the Kingdom of Israel Saul, David, & Solomon unite the tribes & form the Kingdom of Israel King Solomon (son of David & Bathsheba) ruled over a powerful trading kingdom during it’s golden age, including the building of a great temple in Jerusalem King Solomon (son of David & Bathsheba) ruled over a powerful trading kingdom during it’s golden age, including the building of a great temple in Jerusalem The expense of the building projects weakened the kingdom & it fell apart after his death The expense of the building projects weakened the kingdom & it fell apart after his death

Life After Solomon Israel divided into Israel to the north & Judah to the south Israel divided into Israel to the north & Judah to the south 738 BC both pay tribute to Assyria 738 BC both pay tribute to Assyria Both kingdoms fall to Assyria by 572 BC Both kingdoms fall to Assyria by 572 BC Solomon’s Temple is destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC Solomon’s Temple is destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC

Return to Canaan Israelites return to Canaan in 539 BC when the Persian King Cyrus conquers Assyria & frees the Israelites Israelites return to Canaan in 539 BC when the Persian King Cyrus conquers Assyria & frees the Israelites Israelites begin rebuilding the temple in 515 BC Israelites begin rebuilding the temple in 515 BC