1. Assyria and Persia: Timeline Assyrian Empire ca 1300-612 BC –Assyrian Conquest of Israel: 722 BC –Babylonian conquest of Judaea: 588 BC Persian Empire 550-330 BC –Cyrus the Great of Persia restores Hebrews to Judaea: 559- 530

2. Persian Empire

3. Terms: Empire Assyrians Medes; Persians Cyrus the Great Satrap; satrapies

4. Questions: What were the main duties of kings? What are the difficulties of delegating authority? What were the advantages of writing for kings? Why were the Assyrians so bloodthirsty? How did the Persians differ from the Assyrians in their treatment of conquered peoples? How did the Near East influence western culture, especially in regards to gender? What is the difference between sex and gender?

5. Questions to ponder: Should we judge the actions of people of the past? Why or why not? What does Michael Burger say, and why does he think as he does? Do you agree or disagree? What remnants, if any, are there of the ancient Near East understanding of male and female?

6. Minoan, Mycaenean, and Dark Age Greece

7. Timeline Minoan Greece (Crete): ca 2000-1450 BC Mycaenean Greece: ca 2000-1000 BC Dark Age Greece: ca 1000-800 BC Question: What brought the Mycaenean civilization to an end? –Invaders –Natural disasters

8. Terms: Minoan period Crete Mycenaean period Dark Ages (Greek)