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Egyptians traveled into west Asia, Africa to trade.
SUMERIAN CIVILIZATION
There is a strip of fertile land in present day Iraq (has that place been in the news at all in the last 10
years?) where two rivers flow from the mountains to the northwest down to the Persian Gulf. This land
has a crescent-shaped area that is known as The Fertile Crescent. Identifiable civilization records date
back to 5000 B.C.E in this area.
The society was built around the cooperation necessary to control floodwaters and irrigate fields. With 2
major rivers, Tigris and Euphrates flowing from the Turkish hills down to the gulf, ample fertile
farmlands were available. This valley between the rivers has been called Mesopotamia and Babylonia.
This region differed from Egypt. It was not near as dry as Egypt, nor was it as isolated. Egypt was
surrounded by harsh desert, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. Land access was available in
Mesopotamia from every direction, which resulted in constant invasion and waves of invaders crossing
the land.
By 3000 B.C.E, nomadic people had settled in the lower reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the
area that we call Sumer. Sumerian culture developed, and by 3000 B.C.E people in this region were
using metal, and had developed pictographs (picture writing).
Sumerian Writing- done by pressing marks into clay tablets. Writes used wedge-shaped tool called a
stylus. This writing became known as cuneiform, one of the earliest known writing methods. 600
cuneiform signs
(Alien writing in Sumerian, language in Sumerian, cuneiforms showing extra-terrestrial life)
Contributions: Arch- curved structure over an opening. Resulted in rounded dome roofs. Zigguratslarge temples made of baked brick placed in layers (not the baked bricks you guys are thinking of) The
Wheel may have originated in Sumerian culture.
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MATHEMATICS: System of numbers based on 60. Example: Circle divided into six sections
of 60 degrees (360 degrees) Each degree was divided into 60 minutes, with each minute
having 60 seconds. CONNECTION: Watches, compasses are using Sumerian system
Emergence of City-States, seen in Greek history, began in Sumerian civilization.
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CITY STATE: township or city, and the surrounding land controlled by said town. Notable
city-states in Sumerian civilization included Ur, Erech, and Kish. (Thousands of residents)
The many city states rarely united under a single g’vt.
Sumerian people believed that much of the land in each city-state was property of one or
more of their Gods (Polytheism)
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Result: Priests were powerful, as were war leaders. Eventually city-states competed for
water and land.
Heirarchy- Kings, high priests, and nobles dominated Sumerian society. (Similar to Egypt) Low priests,
merchants, scholars were in the “second tier”, or “middle class.” Lower tier included peasant farmers,
slaves from other regions.
Economy: Farming, agriculture dominated Sumerian economy. Why? GEOGRAPHY. Sumerian farmers
grew dates, grains, and vegetables. They raised domestic animals. Grew flax for linen and wove woolen
goods.
Sumerian farmers grew an abundant amount of produce and food. Result: Specification. (Always
results in a growth of civilization) Sumerians worked as artisans and traders. Prior to 3000 B.C.E,
Sumerians had been trading with peoples of S/W Asia. Location allowed for both land and sea travel.
Education- Only upper class MALES partook in school. (Sorry ladies) Math, art, reading, writing.
Religion- Polytheism. Gods centered around forces of nature and heaven (Sun and moon). AfterlifeSumerians buried food and tools with dead, but did not believe in detailed afterlife. No
rewards/punishments after death.
AKKADIAN EMPIRE
2330 B.C.E the Akkadians (Northern part of fertile crescent; Mesopotamia) attacked and conquered
Sumerians. Remember, fertile crescent commonly attacked. Akkadians spoke a Semitic language that is
related to modern day Arabic and Hebrew (Muslim, Jewish??)
Empire lasted 150 years. Sumerian city states prospered after end of Akkadians, (UR being chief citystate). Soon, another Semitic-speaking people rose to power.
BABYLONIAN EMPIRE
1792 B.C.E, city of Babylon (narrow portion of land between Euphrates and Tigris rivers) was ruled by
Hammurabi. Hammurabi conquered most of the Tigris-Euphrates valley.
Contributions of Hammurabi:
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Outstanding military, political, social leader.
Lawmaker; established Code of Hammurabi
Code contained 282 Laws concerning commerce, industry, wages, working conditions,
property rights. (Eye for an eye type of punishment system)
*Have students research Code of Hammurabi online?? Compare it to law systems seen today
Babylonian Culture
Similar to Sumerian Culture. Dependent on agriculture, farming, domesticated animals. Extremely
active traders; merchants exchanged goods with Egypt, India, other regions of fertile crescent.
Women- legal and economic rights; Property. Women could be merchants, traders, or even scribes.
Religion- Babylonians adopted Sumerian religious beliefs by and large. Sacrifices to gods for favors like
good harvests, success in business. Believed in shadowy afterlife after death (Sumerian). Priests could
foretell the future; very powerful and wealthy. ( I think I could be a priest. I can foretell that some of you
aren’t taking good enough notes and are going to fail this first test? Ya think?)
HITTITES
Warlike people who invaded from Asia Minor (Turkey). First people to smelt iron. Most important
achievements focused on laws and government. Spoke Indo-European language.
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Only major crimes received death penalty (Code of Hammurabi said otherwise)
Fines were imposed, not ‘eye for an eye’ policy
Hittites remained an empire until 1200 B.C.E in western part of fertile crescent. Invaded by sea peoples.
ASSYRIAN EMPIRE
Semitic speaking people from Mesopotamia. Settled city of Assur on upper Tigris River in early 2000s
B.C.E. After centuries of fighting off invasion and barely getting by, they rose to power and dominated
S/W Asia. 900-650 B.C.E Assyrians expanded into Egypt, across Fertile Crescent. At height of power,
contained all of crescent, Syria, Palestine, and Nile River Valley.
Military Accomplishments: fierce, effective warriors. Chariots were used in battle, as well as soldiers on
horseback known as cavalry. They used terror to control their enemies; killing captured enemy soldiers.
Deported entire populations to other regions. 700 B.C.E they sacked and looted Babylon, destroying it
completely.
Government: Assyrian King was an absolute ruler, having total power over large empire. Priests and
government officials took orders from the king. Governors ruled conquered lands.
Nineveh- Capital city of Assyrian empire located on northern Tigris River. Huge double wall was
constructed around Nineveh to fortify it. 70 feet high by 7.5 miles around.
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Great library kept in Ninevah containing clay tablets filled with literature and other works.
Epic of Gilgamesh contained in library; story of Sumerian king. One of oldest works of
literature known to man. (Researchers and historians learned ample amounts about
Sumerian beliefs by studying this text)
Nineveh and the Assyrians fell after Civil War broke out in 635 B.C.E, weakening it severely. Around 612
B.C.E the Chaldeans captured and destroyed Nineveh.
CHALDEANS
Reclaimed territory from the Assyrians. Led by Nebuchadnezzar, Chaldeans conquered most of the
Fertile Crescent. Including all land West of Tigris River, all of Euphrates River west to coast of
Mediterranean sea (Included Jerusalem)
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt city of Babylon, ruling there from 605 B.C.E to 562 B.C.E.
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Babylon flourished during this time.
Massive buildings, canal systems.
Nubuchadnezzar’s palace included “Hanging Gardens,” (show picture)- regarded as one of
the Greeks 7 wonders of the world.
Chaldeans struggled after King Neb’s death, fell to the Persian Empire in 539 B.C.E.
PERSIAN EMPIRE
Conquered Babylon in 539 B.C.E. Persians spoke Indo-European language similar to Hittites. By 850
B.C.E Persians had migrated into present-day Iran along with peoples known as the Medes. By 550,
Persians, led by Cyrus the Great rebelled against the Medes.
Cyrus, and later Darius I and his son Xerxes (southpark video of Xerxes?) expanded Persian rule across
Fertile Crescent, including Babylon, Asia Minor (Turkey, Syria).
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Empire included all of Asia Minor, Egypt, present-day Iraq, Iran, Pakistan (many other ikistan
countries. Ruinning past the Indus River in western India. North to Caspian and Aral Seas.
Empire extended west as far as the black and Aegean sea
Never conquered Greece (I don’t need to tell you that, you’ve seen 300), yet at the time still
the mightiest empire up to this point in history.
Government: Persian kings were rulers and generals. Although all-powerful, early leaders were lawful,
collecting taxes and administering law fairly.
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More gracious to conquered people than previous empires before them
Allowed conquered peoples to keep their own religions and laws.
Secret agents known as “the King’s Eyes and Ears” kept the king informed, preventing
regional rulers in check….2 questions. 1.) how do we know that’s what they were called? B.)
Is this the first form of the C.I.A? or KGB, or Secret Police? Now I’m scared.
Infrastructure- Roads connected cities within empire (Royal Road ran 1250 miles). It took the Great
Depression before F.D.R would conceive of the idea, which Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower authorized in
1956. Historians will argue that Roman road systems were stolen ideas from the Persians.
Religion: At first, Persians were Polytheistic. However, 600 B.C.E brought about the teachings of
prophet Zoroaster, or Zarathushtra.
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Zoroaster taught that on earth people receive training for a future life
In the world good and evil battle each other
Good = eternal blessing. Evil = damnation…..SOUND FAMILIAR???
Zoroaster’s theories influenced Judaism and later Christianity
Decline of Persian Empire
Leaders after Darius and Xerxes lacked leadership abilities. 331, Persians suffered defeat at the hands of
Greeks and Alexander the Great.
PHOENICIANS
Western Fertile Crescent (Asia Minor) did not produce large empires, but still greatly influenced the
modern world.
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Region made up of present-day Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. (Talk about Syrian conflict!!)
In ancient times, region was known as Phoenicia. Phoenicia had little fertile land, bordered by the Med
Sea on the west, and the Lebanon Mountains to the east. Result: Phoenicia was trade-dominated
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Seaports of Tyre, Sidon were world famous
Trade
Phoenicians were highly skilled sailors; traded throughout Mediterranean region. (Possibly as far as G.B)
Post 1000 B.C.E: Phoenecia reached peak as a great sea trading power.
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Colonies were established throughout Mediterranean sea
City of Carthage, in North Africa, became major power.
Colonies established in present-day Sicily, Sardinia, Spain
What does it take to become a dominant empire when you are from an isolated, poor-farming land?
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Again, Phoenicians weren’t farmers, weren’t growers….TRADERS
Seaports, access to ocean, sailing skill…..even before all of that.
How are ships made? Lumber. Lebanon mountains contained vast cedar forests
Allowed for shipbuilding
Phoenicians were importing goods via sea travel, but they were also exporting gold and silver objects.
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Learned metalworking methods from the Egyptians.
Metal was probably imported as well; products were exported
Glassblowing: invented by Phoenicians; created exquisite glass objects
Other exports included dried fish (salt cured, smoked), linen, olive oil, wine, and cloth dye.
CULTURE
Phoenicians were imitators: Government and customs resembled Egypt and Babylonia. (Meaning?)
Phoenician religion: Brutal. Polytheistic beliefs. They believed in the afterlife, but pleasing the Gods was
of primary importance in their culture. Extreme circumstances included the sacrificing of children.
Phoenician Alphabet: Writing systems were developed in Mesopotamia and Egypt, but none as
sophisticated as this alphabet. Phoenicians used writing in their business transactions to draw up
records, bills, etc. Their trade network included all of Mediterranean region. Result: Spread of
Phoenician Alphabet. Alphabet became adopted by the Greeks, who modified and added vowel sounds.
Romans took the Greek alphabet and turned it into the alphabet we know today. But it all started with
the Phoenician alphabet, model for western alphabets.
Phoenician empire never gained military strength; conquered by Assyrians.
LYDIANS
Controlled Asia Minor (Present-day Turkey) near 600 B.C.E
First people to use coined money. Result: Money economy replaced barter system which relied on the
trade of commodities. Obviously this became part of world-wide culture.
JUDIASM (Begin by asking who knows anything about the origins of one of the oldest religions still
around today)
Begins with the Hebrew People, who are ancestors of present-day Jews. Hebrews resided in a region on
the Arabian peninsula northeast of Egypt, and south of Phoenicia known as Canaan. Throughout the
history of this region, Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Persians, and Syrians have laid claim to, and
conquered, this land.
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Founder of the Hebrew people is a man named Abraham
Abraham once lived in Sumer (remember from Sumerian civilization)
Abraham led his people from Sumer across the Syrian desert to Canaan
Jacob, grandson of Abraham (also called Israel)
Modern Jews trace heritage through Jacob, whose 12 sons established their own tribe,
known as 12 tribes of Israel
Descendents of Abraham left Canaan and traveled west into Egypt, hoping to escape drought and
famine. The Hebrew people lived peacefully with the Egyptians for a period of time, before losing favor.
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It is believed that the Hebrews arrived with the Hyksos people around 1700 B.C.E
When Hyksos were expelled in 1200’s B.C.E, the Hebrews were enslaved
Enslaved for a period of 400 years
Who famously led the Hebrew people out of Egypt? Moses (Cue family guy video)
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Biblical books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy tell the story of Moses
According to the bible, Moses led the exodus from Egypt into the deserts of the Sinai
Peninsula, just west of Egypt.
Moses climbed to the top of Mt. Sinai (pg. 44) When he returned, he had with him tablets
that contained the 10 commandments that Yahweh(Hebrew God) had revealed to him
Moses announced that Canaan was a land promised to his ancestors.
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Hebrews from Egypt joined those who lived on the borders of northern Canaan
Loose confederation of Hebrew tribes were bound together by the need to maintain a
central shrine for the Ark of the Covenant (Container of the tablets)
2 groups inhabited the region alongside the Hebrews: Canaanites and Philistines. Hebrews drove
Canaanites out, however never could completely remove the Philistines. During the fighting years, the
12 tribes merged to form 1 unified people
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First king of Israel was Saul
Saul was succeeded by David, who formed new dynasty and occupied Jerusalem.
Under Solomon, David’s son and successor, Israel reached height of wealth and power.
Solomon established relationships with Egypt( one of his wives was Egyptian), sought for
peaceful trade with Arabia.
Built a temple to God in Jerusalem. Temple became the religious center for life in Israel
After Solomon’s death, struggles for power emerged in Hebrew kingdom, resulting in a split of Israel.
The two kingdoms lacked the ability to fend off invaders; Israel in the north fell to the Assyrians. The
Chaldeans captured Judah in the south, destroying Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple. When the Persians
under Cyrus conquered the Chaldeans, he allowed the Hebrews to return to their homeland. Temple of
Solomon was rebuilt.
JUDIASM CTD
Hebrew scriptures tell of the creation of the world and the special mission of the Hebrews. One third of
these scriptures (Old Testament) is Hebrew history. Remaining section of Hebrew Scriptures includes
poetry, laws, prophecy, and instruction.
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Religion
Law and Ethics: Torah- Hebrew code of laws. Mosaic Law (named for Moses) includes the
Ten Commandments. Mosaic law demanded kindness toward the poor, slaves. It was
similar to Hammurabi’s code, yet it only called for the death penalty on severe crimes;
adultery, kidnapping, treason, sacrifices to idol Gods.
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Hebrew god of Yahweh. Hebrews came to believe that people had a choice between good
and evil. Yahweh held them responsible for their choices
Allowed freedom to make choice themselves
Yahweh was perceived by Hebrews as a spiritual force; not containing human qualities
No earthly political ruler had any omnipotence or claims to divinity
Hebrew religion known as ethical monotheism; one god, with proper conduct and ethics
enforced.
These ethics carried over into the founding of Christianity; Judeo-Christian ethics. These
ideas are the greatest contribution from Hebrews to western civilization