1. Chapter 3: Kingdoms and Empires In the Middle East
Section 1:Trading Peoples

2. The Aramaeans
One of the most active people in early Middle Eastern trade.
Settled in Syria about 1200 B.C., gaining control of overland trade between Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Because of Aramaean caravans crossed and recrossed the Fertile Crescent on business, people throughout the region learned their native Aramaic.

3. The Phoenicians
One of the Semitic groups that migrated from the Arabian Peninsula about 3000 B.C., settled in the northern part of Canaan.
Unlike the Aramaeans, they sailed the seas.
By 1200 B.C., they built a string of cities and towns along their coast, many of which grew to become independent city-states.

4. The Phoenicians (cont.)
They sailed from their costal city-states throughout the Mediterranean, learning to plot their voyages with great accuracy by means of the sun and the stars.
Astute traders and businesspeople, they soon took charge of Mediterranean shipping and trade.
An advantage that Phoenician merchants held over competitors was their improved alphabet, which helped to keep track of business records.

5. The Phoenicians (cont.)
Because of their improved alphabet, which later became the foundation of several other alphabets, including Greek – did not require years to master.
To protect and resupply their ships, the sailors and traders set up a network of temporary trading posts and colonies along the coasts of the Mediterranean.

6. The Lydians
Located in Asia Minor, the Lydians were well situated to prosper in the growing regional trade and by the late 600s B.C. had developed a wealthy and independent kingdom famous for its rich gold deposits.
The Lydians began to set prices and developed a money system as a medium of exchange.

7. Section 2: Early Israelites

8. The Land of Canaan
The Bible traces the Israelites’ origins to Abraham, a herder and trader whom the Israelites believed made a covenant with God; The covenant stated that God would make a great nation for Abraham and his descendants if they would remain faithful to God.
According to the Bible, once in the land of Canaan, the descendants of Abraham shared the land with other peoples.

9. The Exodus from Egypt
To escape severe famine, the Israelites migrated to Egypt, where they lived peacefully for several generations until the Egyptians enslaved them.
In the 1200s B.C., the Israelite prophet Moses led his people out of Egypt in an exodus into the Sinai Desert.

10. Settling the Land
David took the throne as the second king of the united Israelite tribes in 1012 B.C. and ruled for the next 40 years, establishing the capital in Jerusalem, organizing a central government, and enlarging his kingdom’s borders.
After the death of King Solomon, whose high taxes and harsh labor requirements fostered resentment, the 10 northern tribes broke away from the two tribes in the south.

11. Exile and Return
While in exile in Babylon, the Jews met in small groups on the Sabbath, giving rise to synagogues.
In 539 B.C. the Jews were allowed to return to Judah and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, where the first books of the bible were then organized.

12. A Lasting Legacy
Their troubled history made the Jews keenly aware of their past, which they recorded in their scriptures and examined for meaning.
As the Jews scattered beyond Canaan, their beliefs and principles became an important part of the heritage of the West.

13. Section 3: Empire Builders

14. The Hittites
Around 2000 B.C. they conquered the people of Asia Minor, and by 1650 B.C. they had built a well organized kingdom.
They conquered the city of Babylon in 1595 B.C.

15. The Assyrians
Lived in Northern Mesopotamia. The most lethal fighting force in Middle East.
Treated conquered people cruelly, burning cities and killing thousands of captives.
By 650 B.C., they built an empire stretching from the Persian Gulf to Egypt and into Asia Minor.

16. The Chaldeans
After the fall of the Assyrians, the Chaldean Empire dominated the Fertile Crescent.
Reached the height of their power during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were counted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

17. The Chaldeans (cont.)
Their study of the stars, planets, and the moon laid the foundation for the study of astrology.
In 539 B.C. the Persians seized Babylon and conquered the Chaldean empire.

18. The Persians
By 525 B.C., under the leadership of Cyrus, the Persian Empire encompassed all of the Middle East (more than 50 million people).
Darius I, organizer to the king, divided the realm into provinces and assigned satraps, or provincial governors, to rule.

19. The Persians (cont.)
Unlike the Assyrians, the Persians were generally tolerant rulers, who believed that loyalty could be won by respecting local customs.
Darius improved and expanded the empire’s network of roads.

20. The Persians (cont.)
After Darius died, his son Xerxes led Persian forces to try and conquer Greece. He was unsuccessful. (300)
Persian rulers believed that they ruled by the power of the god of good forces, Ahura Mazda.