1. Early Middle East: Hebrews and Persians

2. What is the Middle East? And Central Asia? “Never mind what the fact is, it depends what it is called.” “Never mind what the fact is, it depends what it is called.” What’s wrong with these names? What’s wrong with these names? Near East/Levant Near East/Levant “Middle East”/Greater & Central “Middle East”/Greater & Central Southwest Asia Southwest Asia Maghrib Maghrib

4. Facts Vast -Region stretching from Rabat to Tehran (3400 miles) Vast -Region stretching from Rabat to Tehran (3400 miles) Few distinct natural boundaries Few distinct natural boundaries Intercontinental—Europe, Africa, and Asia-”Crossroads” Intercontinental—Europe, Africa, and Asia-”Crossroads” “Greater Middle East” - Equal to U.S. in size. “Greater Middle East” - Equal to U.S. in size. 20 independent states 20 independent states 3 Sub-regions: North Africa, Arab lands, Highlands of Turkey and Iran 3 Sub-regions: North Africa, Arab lands, Highlands of Turkey and Iran Land of the 7 Seas Land of the 7 Seas

5. Physical map of northern Middle East - north to south includes Black Sea, Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan

6. Note green vegetation areas in Israel on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean sea, and along the Nile river and delta.

8. Mirage...

11. Fertile Crescent

12. The World of the Old Testament http://scriptures.lds.org/biblemaps/4

18. Empires in Greece, Persia, Rome Definition of Empire: Definition of Empire: The political control of one people over other, different peoples But how to control? -hegemony-foreign rule that governs with the consent of the governed -dominance-exercise of military power, with frequent resistance.

19. Persia Present-day Iran Present-day Iran Iran derived from “Aryan” Iran derived from “Aryan” Indo-Europeans [Medes and Persians] moved into regions of later Mesopotamian empires [c. 1000 BCE] Indo-Europeans [Medes and Persians] moved into regions of later Mesopotamian empires [c. 1000 BCE] Stone relief of Medes

20. Chronology of Early Persia 1000 BCEIndo-European migrations into Central Persia 1000 BCEIndo-European migrations into Central Persia 600 BCEAchaemenids united Persian tribes 600 BCEAchaemenids united Persian tribes 521-486 BCEReign of Darius 521-486 BCEReign of Darius 500-479 BCEWars with Greece 500-479 BCEWars with Greece 334-330 BCEConquest by Alexander of Macedon 334-330 BCEConquest by Alexander of Macedon

21. Persia

22. Key Achievements unifiers of the Middle East. unifiers of the Middle East. ruled diverse peoples. ruled diverse peoples. hegemony through tolerance of local traditions and granting of local control. hegemony through tolerance of local traditions and granting of local control. uniform standards. uniform standards. trade from India to Egypt. trade from India to Egypt. skillful leadership (bureaucracy) and diplomacy skillful leadership (bureaucracy) and diplomacy

23. The Persian Royal Road 2575 kilometers long 2575 kilometers long Took 90 days to travel from one end to the other Took 90 days to travel from one end to the other Post stations, inns, courier service Post stations, inns, courier service “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from swift completion of appointed rounds” Herodotus

24. Persepolis

25. The “Axial Age” 500BCE – 100CE The Axial Age China Confucius Laozi Greece Socrates Plato Aristotle Persia Zaruthustra Palestine Jesus India Buddha Hinduism

26. Revolutionary monotheisms: Jews, Christians, and Muslims (Abrahamic faiths) (J-C-I Tradition) believe: There is ONE God (monotheism) There is ONE God (monotheism) God is above nature and human weakness (transcendent) God is above nature and human weakness (transcendent) Sacred books are revealed Sacred books are revealed

27. Judaism, Christianity, Islam Abrahamic Traditions All three religions consider Abraham their originating prophet All three religions consider Abraham their originating prophet Islam places Muhammad in a line of prophets including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus Islam places Muhammad in a line of prophets including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus Muslims consider Muhammad the “Seal of the Prophets Muslims consider Muhammad the “Seal of the Prophets Guercino, “Abraham Casting Out Hager and Ishmael,” [1657]

28. Zoroastrianism Prophet: Zoroaster / Zaruthustra [c. 500 BCE?] Prophet: Zoroaster / Zaruthustra [c. 500 BCE?] One supreme god: Ahura Mazda One supreme god: Ahura Mazda conflict dualism-struggle between good and evil conflict dualism-struggle between good and evil personal ethics and salvation personal ethics and salvation Opponent of Ahura Mazda  Angra Mainyu Opponent of Ahura Mazda  Angra Mainyu There are few adherents of Zoroastrianism today but it left many important legacies to the Judeo-Christian tradition There are few adherents of Zoroastrianism today but it left many important legacies to the Judeo-Christian tradition Modern image of Zoroaster

29. “King Darius says: By the grace of Ahuramazda am I king; Ahuramazda has granted me the kingdom.” Jamsheed Choksy, THE SOLAR DIVINITY MITHRA ON LEFT, THE SASANIAN KING ARDASHIR II IN CENTER, AND THE CREATOR GOD AHURA MAZDA ON RIGHT, TAQ-E-BOSTAN, IRAN (300-400)

30. Greece and Rome Ancient West Mediterranean-centered Mediterranean-centered Cities and trade Cities and trade Self-government Self-government Rise of empire Rise of empire Decline and discontinuity Decline and discontinuity Shared culture (Greco-Roman) Shared culture (Greco-Roman) Chart: RGH p. 136Chart: RGH p. 136

31. Judaism Approximately 3800 years old Approximately 3800 years old Founder of Judaism: Abraham Founder of Judaism: Abraham Foundational stories of Judaism are ones of journey, exile, return Foundational stories of Judaism are ones of journey, exile, return Descendants of Abraham comprise a divinely chosen family and ethnic group Descendants of Abraham comprise a divinely chosen family and ethnic group World’s first monotheistic religion World’s first monotheistic religion Rembrandt’s Abraham

32. 922 B.C. The Jewish kingdom is established 70 A.D. The Romans conquer the Jewish kingdom – the Temple of Solomon is destroyed. 11-12th Cent. Massacres on Jews in the Rhineland and by the Crusaders. 1215 Jews in Europe are forced to dress in a certain way or carry the Jewish mark. 1290 The Jews are expelled from England. 14th Cent. The Jews are expelled from France. 1492 The Jews are expelled from Spain, unless they are willing to be baptised. 1648 Massacres on Jews in Poland and the Ukraine. 19th Cent. The Jews are gradually emancipated in Germany and in other Westernm European countries. 1819 Pogrom against the Jews of Copenhagen. 1881 Pogroms in Russia following the murder of the Tsar. 1919 Pogroms in Eastern Europe – 60,000 Jews are killed in the Ukraine by Ukrainian nationalists.

33. Key Historical Events Judaism Moses and the 10 Commandments- ethical monotheism-the Covenant Moses and the 10 Commandments- ethical monotheism-the Covenant Hebrew Kingdoms—David and Solomon Hebrew Kingdoms—David and Solomon Diaspora – Torah (“Bible”) and Talmud (Law) Diaspora – Torah (“Bible”) and Talmud (Law) Chosen People Chosen People Sacred Geography-Israel, Jerusalem Sacred Geography-Israel, Jerusalem

35. Exodus Moses and his Covenant with God

38. HANAKKUH Importance of Ritual Torah

39. Basic Beliefs of Judaism Meaning in God – ethical monotheism “God is righteous and loves man” Meaning in Creation “The universe is god-created” Meaning in Man “Man is created in God’s image” “The Chosen People” Meaning in History “The Promised Land”

40. Basic Beliefs of Judaism Meaning in Morality – the Covenant with God “Ten Commandments” and Torah Meaning in Justice “injustice breeds its own demise” Talmud Meaning in Suffering-Last Judgment, Salvation

41. Holy City of Jerusalem Dome of the Rock Church of the Holy Sepulcher The Western Wall

42. Jews within the Roman Empire During Roman times, there was already a “Jewish diaspora” During Roman times, there was already a “Jewish diaspora” Jewish communities often came into conflict with Romans when they refused to worship Roman deities or emperors Jewish communities often came into conflict with Romans when they refused to worship Roman deities or emperors 66-70 CE—Jerusalem defeated by Rome 66-70 CE—Jerusalem defeated by Rome

43. Oldest Synagogue in US – Newport, RI

44. Diaspora