1. The Middle East An Introduction

2. Objectives 1. Name and locate the nations of the Middle East. 2. Identify the major ethnic and religious groups of the Middle East. 3. Overview the early civilizations of the Middle East – recognize their names and major accomplishments.

4. Peoples of the Middle East Ethnicity Majority group: Arab Others: Turk, Iranian, Kurd, Armenian Religion Majority religion: Islam Others: Christianity, Judaism

5. Early Civilizations

6. Sumer 3500-2350 B.C. Egypt 3100 B.C.8000 B.C. Earliest settlement Babylon 1900-1600 B.C. Hittites 1700-1200s B.C. 1200-900 B.C. Phoenicia Persian Empire 500 B.C. Greek influence: Spread of Hellenistic civilization (Alexander the Great) 330s B.C. Roman influence (115 B.C.) & Byzantine Empire (395-1453 A.D.) 115 B.C.- 1453 A.D.

7. Sumerians 1 st civilization in ME ziggurats cuneiform wheel sail calendar plow measurement based on 60

8. Babylonians, Hittites, Phoenicians Babylonians Hammurabi’s Code (1700s B.C.): “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” Hittites iron Phoenicians “carriers of civilization” alphabet

9. Persians Persian Empire under Darius, 521-486 B.C.E.

10. Greek Influence (Hellenistic Civilization) Alexander the Great’s Empire

11. Roman Influence: Roman Empire

12. Roman Influence: Byzantine Empire