1. Middle East Introduction to Early History
Brief history of the Region

2. Lesson Objectives
Understand and give examples of the diversity in the region, distinguishing from prevailing stereotypes.
Understand and analyze the geographic history of the region, from its ancient empires to its 20th century colonial powers.

3. Cradle of Civilization

4. Around 3500 BC by the Sumerians... Babylonia…
We will not focus on these early civilizations, discussed in detail in middle school…..

5. Rule to early 6th Century..
Mesopotamia was home to several powerful empires that came to rule almost the entire Middle East

6. Language & religion Polytheism & Ziggurat
Cuneiform scrip is one of the earliest known systems of writing. Emerged in Sumer.
Polytheism & Ziggurat
It was completely replaced by alphabetic writing (in the general sense) in the course of the Roman era and there are no Cuneiform systems in current use.

7. Why is the Middle East called the “Crossroads of the World”?
The Middle East stands at the crossroads of three continents: Africa, Asia and Europe. Since ancient times it has developed major trade routes over land and sea.

8. Connects three continents
Many invaders throughout history in a desire to control trade routes and have access to three major continents.

9. Map of Ancient Near East
There have been many conquerors in the Middle East? Do you know any famous empires that conquer the area?

10. When were the Modern Day Borders of the Middle East drawn?
Who created these borders?

11. The borders of the Middle East were created after WWI & WWII, what empires where in the region earlier in history?
, What empires where in the region between the Ancient Near Far East and the Modern Middle East?

12. Imperial History of the Middle EAst
Click on Link for interactive map of the History of the Middle East

13. Give examples of the diversity in the region from each of the empires.
Based on our discussion after the Maps of War, students will decide which empires to study in class and what are the facts about each empire we will research.
What was significant about the empire?
Give examples of the diversity in the region from each of the empires.
What aspects of the empire’s culture or architecture still remains in the Middle East today?