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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. - 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. - 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) - 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: - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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). - - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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 - 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. - 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? - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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) - 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. - 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 - - 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. - 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. - 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