Early Civilizations Chapter 2

Quiz 1. What did the Greeks call the fertile region between the Tigris and Euphrates? A. Egypt B. Sumer C. Mesopotamia D. Mediterranean 2. What is the name of Sumerian wedge-shaped form of writing? A. Cuneiform B. Alphabet C. Hieroglyphics D. Hammurabi

Quiz Answers 1. C. Mesopotamia 2. A. Cuneiform

Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia – 1st known civilization Located in the “fertile crescent” between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. (See Map on Page 31) Mesopotamia means “land between the rivers.”

Sumer 3000 BC Sumerian civilization develops in Mesopotamia. Composed of about a dozen independent city-states fighting for control of each other

Sumer Developed the cuneiform writing system and the Base 60 numerical system. Major occupation – farming, elaborate irrigation system Dwelled in fortified cities, structures of baked clay bricks, pyramid-like structures called ziggurats.

Remains of Ancient Ziggurat Reconstructed model of Ancient Ziggurat

Sumer Sargon came to dominance around 2350 BC in the city-state of Kish, established first known empire: the Akkadian empire from Persian Gulf to northern Mesopotamia. City of Ur later came to prominence and was the leading city of Sumer. Perhaps the city where Abraham was from, perhaps not. God revealed himself to Abraham in 2100 BC.

Major contributions of the Sumerian Civilization: Cuneiform Roman arch Wheel Division of a circle into 360 degrees Division of hours and minutes into 60 units

Amorite Civilization Amorites invaded Sumer and helped its decline. Established the “Old Babylonian Empire,” one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. The capital city of Babylon was very old and was established near the location of the Tower of Babel. (Some of the people stayed and did not scatter.)

Amorite Civilization Hammurabi rose to power and united the land of Mesopotamia under his rule (1795-1750BC). Code of Hammurabi - a set of laws which became the standard of judgment throughout the Amorite Empire. Examine the inset to compare the law of God as given to Moses with the Code of Hammurabi. Page 32.

Amorite Civilization Epic of Gilgamesh and the Flood Other flood accounts

"...the calamity which their traditions say once befell them, destroying the whole human race, excepting one man, who landed from his canoe on a high mountain in the West. This tradition, however, was not peculiar to the Mandan tribe, for amongst one hundred and twenty different tribes that I have visited in North and South and Central America, not a tribe exists that has not related to me distinct or vague traditions of such a calamity, in which one, or three, or eight persons were saved above the waters..." Painter and traveler, George Catlin, 1830's

Amorite Accomplishments: Hammurabi’s Code of Laws Epic of Gilgamesh – epic poem Trade in gold, silver, tin, and textiles Algebra & Geometry Astronomy – study of heavenly bodies, but fell into astrology – interpreting human events by the position of the planets & stars. Remained alienated from God.

Presentations for Tomorrow Hittites Phoenicians Arameans

Land of Canaan

See Map of Canaan p. 40

Hittites Descendants of Heth, son of Canaan, son of Ham. 2000 B.C. Hittites settle Asia Minor Warriors, expanded empire into Syria, Babylon, Mesopotamia, Canaan Fights with Egypt led to both their declines.

Phoenicians: Tyre, a port city, was the leading city Great merchants, great fleet Traveled far

Phoenicians Two natural resources: purple dye from a mollusk and cedar and fir trees Founded the city of Carthage in North Africa Developed the Phoenician alphabet, symbols/letters represent sounds instead of pictures.

Phoenicians Pride and Ba’al worship of Phoenicians helped to corrupt the Hebrews in Israel, God said He would judge them (Ez 26:3-5) Read this on page 42. City was attacked by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, then completely destroyed by Alexander the Great.

Arameans: Descendants of Aram, son of Shem, also called Syrians. 1000 B.C. established a number of small independent states. Famous land trade as the “crossroads of civilization.” Damascus – one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Look at it on the map. Centrally located on land routes of Near East. Aramaic became the language of commerce in the area as it was common to many. Probably Jesus and his disciples spoke Aramaic. God used the Arameans to punish his people (2 Kings 13:3), but later destroyed the Aramean civilization (Amos 1:3-5) because of the wickedness of the people of Damascus. 732 B.C. Assyrians crush Damascus and take the people as captives.

Hebrews Abraham – God called him from idolatry and polytheism in Mesopotamia to Canaan. Established a covenant Promised many descendants, a great nation, a Messiah Promised a land to live in: Canaan Promised to bless all peoples through Abraham 2166 BC -Abraham born. 2091 BC -God calls Abraham to Canaan

Hebrews Abraham Isaac Jacob [Israel] Twelve Sons ->Twelve Tribes (most important Judah, promised Messiah)

Hebrews Joseph to Egypt, then others 1446 B.C. Israelites leave Egypt under Moses God covenants with Moses at Mount Sinai (Ex 19-20) Establishes Israel as a theocracy, ruled by God. Gave his law. Perfect moral standard so men can distinguish right from wrong.

Hebrews The Israelites enter the promised land, after 40 years wandering in the desert because of their unbelief. Joshua is their new leader. They conquer Jericho and other peoples. Land is divided among the 12 tribes.

Hebrews Judges Hebrews were to demonstrate to the world that there is only one God, but they fell into the polytheism of the cultures around them. Enemies to attack them, turning them back to God. Under the judge Samuel, the people again sinned and demanded an earthly king, so God gave them Saul. I Samuel 8:4-8

Hebrews David became king. Jerusalem - the city of David, center of government. David conquered Israel’s enemies and established peace. Solomon also ruled with wisdom and built the magnificent temple to God. However, Solomon began to allow the worship of false Gods and the nation was divided into Northern Kingdom (10 tribes) and Judah (tribes of Judah and Benjamin).

Hebrews The division led to internal strife and wickedness. God sent judgment on the Israelites: 722 B.C. Assyrians destroy Samaria in the Northern Kingdom 586 B.C. Jerusalem is destroyed, and the people are carried to be captives in Babylon for 70 years.

Egypt

Quiz 1. What is the main river that runs through Egypt? 2, 3, 4. What are the 3 main periods of Egyptian History? 5. What important discovery enabled Jean Champollion to read Egyptian hieroglyphics?

Answers 1. What is the main river that runs through Egypt? Nile 2, 3, 4. 3 main periods of Egyptian History: Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom 5. What important discovery enabled Jean Champollion to read Egyptian hieroglyphics? Rosetta Stone

Ancient Egypt What do you notice about Egypt?

Egypt Located along Nile River (750 miles long, in some places less than 12 miles wide) Which way does the river flow? Find Upper Egypt? Why is it called that? Find Lower Egypt? Why is it called that? What is a delta? Why is it called that? Very dry climate. No river = No Egypt. “gift of the river.” Floods June – August (snow melt), deposits rich, fertile soil along the river. The river provided easy transportation and communication so the country was easily unified.

Egyptian Origins Egyptians were descendants of Misraim, son of Ham, son of Noah. 3000 B.C. Menes united the upper and lower regions of Egypt.

2700-2200 B.C. - Old Kingdom – The Age of the Pharoahs Pharoahs were powerful, considered Gods Great pyramids constructed Khufu or Cheops, most famous pharaoh who built the Great Pyramid at Giza. Read the inset page 35.

2100-1641 B.C. – Middle Kingdom – The Age of the People Age of peace and construction Preservation of power through projects that benefitted more people Irrigation canals, ponds to store the Nile’s waters for use in the dry season The Israelites moved to Egypt during this period. (Genesis 47:1-6) Stayed from 1876-1446 (430 years). How did the Israelites get to Egypt?

How did the Israelites get to Egypt? Joseph sold into slavery in Egypt. Potiphar Prison Dreams Pharoah’s household Famine

Intermediate Period Hyksos Intermediate Period – a people from Asia invaded and ruled. Art of War, horses, chariots, bronze weapons, perhaps began enslavement of the Hebrew people. Could explain a pharaoh who “knew not Joseph.”

1570-1075 B.C. New Kingdom – Age of the Empire Warrior Kings invaders who extended their empire to Palestine, Syria, and lands of the Nile to the south. Hatshepsut – first great woman ruler of Egypt. Thutmose III – conquered Palestine and Syria all the way to the Euphrates. Called “Napoleon of Egypt” because he was an empire builder. Moses lived in Egypt during this period. (Thutmose III – possibly pharaoh whom Moses fled after killing the Egyptian) Amenhotep II – possibly the pharaoh who was challenged by Moses to let God’s people go. Rameses II (150 years after Israelites left Egypt) came to power. Built mammoth temples & monuments. Egypt went into gradual decline after his death. 1350 BC ish – Tutankhamen (King Tut) Read inset p. 37

Egyptian Culture Pharoah Priests/Nobles Merchants Common People Foreign Slaves Social Structure – like a pyramid.

Egyptian contributions: Advances in medicine (studied anatomy, drugs) Solar calendar (365-day year) Hieroglyphics Papyrus Paper Pyramids Rosetta Stone (Read inset p. 38)

The Near East