1. 1.2 Western Asia and Egypt

2. Mesopotamia Land between rivers Tigris and Euphrates Fertile Crescent Sumerian City States  Cuneiform  Epic of Gilgemesh  Numbers based on 60  Wagon and potter’s wheel, sundial, arch, bronze (tin+copper)

4. Empires of Mesopotamia 1 st Empire 2340 BC  Sargon the Akkadian Babylonian Invasion: 1792 BC Hammurabi Code  Severe punishments  “An eye for an eye”  Written law  Patriarchal nature  Detailed every offense

5. Nile River Valley Upper and Lower Egypt 3100 BC King Menes unites Egypt  (1 st Dynasty) Old Kingdom- Pharaohs  Great house or Palace  Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Mummies

6. Middle and New Kingdoms 2050-1652 BC Middle Kingdom Public Works  Drain swamps Hyksos from W. Asia invade with Chariots 1567-1085 BC New Kingdom  Drove Hyksos out,  Pharaohs amassed wealth and power.

7. Egyptian Society Pharaoh Nobles and Priest Merchants, artisan, scribes, and tax collectors Peasants, paid taxes, worked the land, and provided military service, largest population group

8. Egyptian Accomplishments Papyrus Hieroglyphics Buildings Art Geometry

9. New Empires Israelites 1200-1000 BC  King Solomon  Monotheistic Assyrians 700-605 BC  Iron weapons  Cruel to conquered people Persians  Cyrus, captured Babylon and returned Jews to Jerusalem  Darius, extends empire from Europe to India