1. The Ancient Near East: Peoples and Empires
Chapter 2
The Ancient Near East: Peoples and Empires

2. The Hebrews: “The Children of Israel”
Hebrew Bible (Christian Old Testament)
Descendants of Abraham
Migration to Egypt
Slaves of pharaohs
Moses leads them out of Egypt (Exodus)
12 Tribes
Troubles with the Philistines
The emergence of the Israelites as a distinct group of peoples (c – c B.C.E.)

3. The United Kingdom Biblical Leaders
Saul (c – 1000 B.C.E.)
David (c – 970 B.C.E.)
Solomon (c. 970 – 930 B.C.E.)
Temple of Jerusalem
Recent Challenges to the Biblical Account

4. The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
Kingdom of Israel
10 northern tribes
Capital in Samaria
Kingdom of Judah
2 southern tribes
Capital in Jerusalem

5. The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
Assyrian Conquest of the Kingdom of Israel (722 B.C.E.)
Chaldean Conquest of the Kingdom of Judah (586 B.C.E.)
Jerusalem destroyed
The Babylonian Captivity

6. The Spiritual Dimensions of Israel
“I am the Lord your God”
Yahweh (monotheism)
“You only have I chosen”: Covenant and Law
Covenant with Yahweh during the Exodus
Law
10 Commandments
Regulation of economic, social and political life of all Hebrews
Prophets
Yahweh’s voice to his people
Universalism and social justice
Separation between Jews and non-Jews

7. Social Structure of the Hebrews
Social Patterns
“Men of rank and influence”: elites
“People of the land”: commoners
Family
Central social institution in Hebrew life
Marriage and Women
A perfect wife: Book of Proverbs
Accounts of dependence
Matchmaking
Woman as the “crown of man”

8. The Neighbors of the Israelites
Philistines
Phoenicians
Trade
Colonies throughout the Mediterranean
Carthage
Transmitters of culture
Alphabet

9. The Assyrian Empire Early history Organization of the Empire
A Semitic people, vassals of foreign rulers
Independence and kings
Ashurbanipal (669 – 627 B.C.E.)
Organization of the Empire
Absolute kings
Effective communication and administration

10. The Assyrian Empire The Assyrian military machine Large armies
Discipline
Iron weapons
The use of various tactics
Terror as an instrument of warfare

11. Assyrian Society and Culture
Imported Prisoners of War: a polyglot society
Language
Religion
Agriculture
Trade
Middlemen
Hybrid Culture
Guardians of Sumerian and Babylonian culture
Art
Relief sculptures

12. Neo-Babylonian Empire
The Chaldeans
Nebuchadnezzar II (605 – 562 B.C.E.)
Babylon
Hanging Gardens
Conquest by the Persians in 539 B.C.E.

13. Persian Empire Cyrus the Great (559 – 530 B.C.E.)
Conquered Kingdom of Lydia (c. 547 B.C.E.)
Conquered Greek city-states
Conquered Mesopotamia (539 B.C.E.)
Cambyses (530 – 522 B.C.E.)
Conquered Egypt
Darius the Great (521 – 486 B.C.E.)
Western expansion into India
Ionian revolt in Asia Minor
Invasion and defeat in Greece (490 B.C.E.)

14. Persian Empire Governing the Empire The Great King
Satrapies and satraps: provincial administration
Efficient communications
Royal Road from Sardis to Susa
The Great King
The gap between king and subjects
Military
The 10,000 Immortals

15. Persian Religion Zoroastrianism Zoroaster (born in 660 B.C.E.)
Message of monotheism
Ahuramazda (the “Wise Lord”)
Ahriman (Evil Spirit)
Struggle between good and evil
Last Judgment
Acceptance by the Great Kings
Development of ethical dualism

16. Discussion Questions
Describe the political and social advances during the reigns of David and Solomon. How did they change Israel's society?
What legacy did the ancient Hebrews leave to Western Civilization? How important is Moses for the Jewish faith?
Why were the Assyrians so successful in subjugating their neighbors?
What role did terror play in Assyrian military tactics?
How were the Persians able to conquer and maintain their large empire?
How did Cyrus earn a favorable reputation?