1. ERVC Pt. 2
This is where it starts to super duper cool and fun and interesting because. EMPIRES

2. We are revisiting the 4 Early River Valley Civilizations and looking at them differently. We are looking at specific empires now.
Old Places
New Faces

3. What is an Empire?
An empire is a political situation in which a single ruler has ruling power over a large area that consists of peoples with different nationalities, ethnicities, or states.

4. First, think to yourself what your answer might be
First, think to yourself what your answer might be. Jot down your thoughts if you need to.
Then, pair with a buddy and share your opinions. See whether you differ in opinion or not.
Then, be prepared to share with the class.
Don’t worry about being wrong!
Think-Pair-Share
Based on this definition of empire, do you think we could apply this definition to the U.S.? Why or why not?

5. Hittites, Assyrians, and the Phoenicians
Mesopotamia Pt. 2
Hittites, Assyrians, and the Phoenicians

6. The Hittites

7. Geography of the Hittite Empire
The Hittites occupied the area of Anatolia and Asia around 2000 b.c.
The Hittites were Indo-Europeans who migrated from the Caucasus into Mesopotamia
This area is now known as modern day Turkey
The part of Mesopotamia that the Hittites rule is Syria
They will fight with Egypt for control of this area

8. The Hittites Adopt and Adapt
The Hittites will adopt the Akkadian culture and language.
The Hittites had conquered the Babylonians. Through their conquest, they were exposed to the Babylonian culture
(Remember that the Babylonians adopted the Akkadian culture)
The ideas they borrowed were about literature, art, politics, and law.
These ideas came from more than just the Babylonians, they will come from all types of Mesopotamians.
They would put their own twist on things they adopted.

9. Warring Technology The Hittites excelled in the technology of war.
Their chariots and iron weapons helped them conquer the Egyptians.
Their chariots were light and easy to maneuver.
They were made out of wood and leather
Raw materials such as iron ore and wood were easily available in the mountains of Anatolia. In this way, the Hittites were able to benefit from environmental features.

11. The Egyptians and the Hittites
The Hittites will move to Asia Minor around 1900 b.c.
The Egyptians and the Hittites will meet at the Battle of Kadesh around 1285 b.c.
The result of this battle was a treaty that promised “peace and brotherhood forever”

13. Journal Entry Hittite Perspective
On the paper provided, write a 5 sentence diary entry from the perspective of a Hittite. You must include at least 3 points that we talked about.
Journal Entry
Hittite Perspective

14. The Assyrians

15. Assyrian Empire: Mighty Military Machine
The Assyrian empire will begin in 850 b.c. and will come from northern Mesopotamia
They will be able to acquire a vast empire due to sophisticated military organization and advanced weaponry.
Being constantly invaded allowed the Assyrians to develop a strong army.
Think-Pair-Share: Based on what you know about Mesopotamia, why were the Assyrians constantly being invaded?

16. Understanding Assyrian military sophistication
In order to understand just how sophisticated the Assyrian army was, you will be reading a description of Assyrian military tactics.
Half of you have one reading, the other half of you have another. Take notes from your reading. Then, get with a partner who had the other reading and teach each other what you read. Takes notes on their reading!
Activity
Understanding Assyrian military sophistication

17. Assyrian Empire: Mighty Military Machine
The Assyrians had a variety of weapons and methods of attack. These were:
Ladders: used to climb into enemy’s stronghold
Weapons: Iron weapons
Tactics: Beheadings, impalement, slavery
Tunnels: Weaken foundation of an enemy’s walls.

19. An Expanding Empire
By 650 b.c., the Assyrian empire included Syria, Palestine, Babylonia, and Egypt.
In order to effectively rule their large empire, the Assyrians used the threat of total destruction if a conquered area did not pay their taxes.

20. The Empire Crumbles
The Assyrians will eventually be defeated by the Medes and the Chaldeans around 612 b.c.
The Medes and the Chaldeans will combine their armies and destroy the Assyrian capital, Nineveh

21. The Phoenicians

22. The Phoenicians: Traders and Seafarers
The Phoenicians lived along the Mediterranean Sea in what is now Lebanon.
By 1100 b.c, the Phoenicians were the most powerful traders along the Mediterranean
Instead of a unified country, the Phoenicians established wealthy city-states.
Byblos
Tyre
Sidon

23. Traders, such as the Phoenicians, were important to the Mediterranean region. Why do you think that is?
Think-Pair-Share

24. The Phoenicians: Traders and Seafarers
The Phoenicians were really good at shipbuilding and sailing.
They were the first Mediterranean peoples to venture beyond the Strait of Gibraltar

25. Phoenician Products and Traded Goods
The Phoenician city-states produced purple dye, wood working, glass, metalworking.
The Phoenicians were responsible for trading, wine, ivory, slaves, weapons, and precious metals throughout the Mediterranean.

26. The Phoenicians’ Great Legacy
The most important contribution to the world from the Phoenicians was the alphabet.
The Phoenicians developed a writing system that used symbols that represented sounds
Their writing system was phonetic--meaning one symbol stood for one sound
Written on papyrus
The Phoenicians introduced their writing throughout the Mediterranean region through trade
This innovation was important because it made learning more accessible due to its simplicity.

28. The Decline of the Phoenicians
The Phoenicians are eventually conquered by the Assyrians, Babylonians, and the Persians.

29. Phoenician Perspective
On the paper provided, write a 5 sentence journal entry from the perspective of a Phoenician trader. You must include 3 points that we talked about.
Journal Entry
Phoenician Perspective