2. Assyrians Rise to Power
north of Babylon in Mesopotamia
open land  easily attacked
constantly defend themselves against invaders  skilled warriors
conquered Egypt in 1 month had been self-ruled for over 2,500 years
“best defense is a good offense”

3. Assyrian War Machine
units of charioteers, cavalry, bowmen, and lancers
invented battering ram and moveable towers
iron weapons (stronger than bronze of enemies)  helmets and armor
created fear through torture

4. Assyrian Learning Nineveh, capital city - city of learning
famous library tablets w/ writings from Sumer and Babylon
records tell us a lot about life in Mesopotamia

5. Assyria Overthrown conquered constantly rebelled
forced others to pay “tributes”  taxes
Most of the time, crushed people who tried to fight
612 B.C., Chaldeans smash Assyrian empire

6. New Babylonian Empire new empire (centered at Babylon)
greatest Babylonian kingNebuchadnezzar
rebuilt Babylon w/ massive walls for protection
great palace w/ “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” (one of 7 ancient wonders of the world)

7. New Center for Learning
Under Chaldeans  new Babylonian empire became center of learning and science
astronomers charted stars and measured the correct length of the year
farmers raised bees for honey
This clay tablet shows the world that was known to the Babylonians

8. Fall of the 2nd Babylonian Empire
2nd Babylonian empire attacked and defeated by the Persians
539 BC., Chaldeans defeated
city of Babylon was spared from destruction

9. King Cyrus the Great of Persia
began a conquest of several neighboring kingdoms in Iran
conquered Fertile Crescent and most of Anatolia
governed through tolerance and diplomacy
generals enforced strict discipline against looting and burning
honored local customs and religions of conquered
- knelt to pray in the local temple
Babylon opened it’s gates for Cyrus to enter, a bloodless victory for Cyrus
allowed Jews to return and rebuild capital (Jerusalem)
- returned stolen goods

10. Darius’ Leadership expanded the empire, over 2500 miles east to west
divided empire into 20 provinces
- practice own religion
- spoke own language
- had own laws
Darius ruled absolutely (although these groups had many freedoms)
installed satraps (governors in each province)  ruled under his command (military leader and tax collector)
they were kept honest by inspectors, who he called his “eyes and ears”

11. Persia United Royal Road  linked empire together
manufactured standardized coins
- easier to conduct business  each contain worth same amount anywhere in the empire

12. Persia Religion = Zoroastrianism
Zoroaster, Persian Prophet who lived around 600 B.C.
- helped people deal with suffering and chaos they dealt with every day
taught 2 armies fight for possession of your soul
- Ahura Mazda leads the good army
- Ahriman leads the bad
each person, at their death, judged on their life
- good lifted into paradise
- bad burn forever in fiery pit
Sound familiar?