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Ch. 2: Early Societies in SW Asia and the IndoEuropean Migrations
Mesopotamian
Empires
Mesopotamia: “The
land between the Rivers”
(Tigris and Euphrates)
Cities emerged around
4000 BCE. Region of
Sumer became a
population center.
By 3200 BCE, these
early cities evolved
into city-states (also
controlled surrounding
region).
Early Mesopotamia, 3000-2500 BCE
Gypsum carving, city of Nippur, 2500 BCE
Mesopotamian Empires, 1800-600 BCE
Sargon of Akkad
(2370 BCE-2315 BCE)
First “empire” in world
history.
Seized trade routes and
conquered neighboring
cities.
Hammurabi of
Bablyon
Bureaucracy and taxes!
(1792 BCE -1750 BCE)
Law code was severe
(lex talionis)!
Hittite Empire
1600-1200 BCE
Indo-Europeans (see slide
below).
From Anatolia (Turkey).
Conquered Babylonian
Empire in 1595 BCE.
Used horse drawn war
chariots.
http://home.comcast.net/~DiazStudents
/MesopotamiaHittiteEmpire.jpg
The Assyrians
(1300-612 BCE)
Powerful army:
professional officers,
archers, iron weapons
New Babylonian
Empire
(600-550 BCE)
Nebuchadnezzar (605562 BCE) built the
Hanging Gardens of
Babylon.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Ancient Middle East
Other Kingdoms and
Cultures
Hebrews
Nomads living between
Mesopotamia and
Egypt.
Abraham led group to
Palestine around 1850
BCE. Also had law of
retribution and flood story.
Some migrated to Egypt
in 18th C. BCE then back
to Palestine with Moses
(1300 BCE).
Jerusalem became their
capital.
Moses taught monotheism
and the Ten
Commandments.
King David (1000-970
BCE) unified Israelite
(Hebrew) tribes into a
kingdom. His son,
Solomon, succeeded
him (970-930 BCE) and
built his famous temple.
Torah (1000-400 BCE):
first five books of the
Old Testament.
Hebrews and their
kingdoms (Israel
and Judah) conquered
by Assyrians (722 BCE)
And Babylonians (586
BCE).
Distinct Jewish (Jews)
community developed.
Israel and Phoenicia, 1500-600 BCE
Phoenicians
Traders. Sea trade was
most important to them.
Developed an alphabet
(1500 BCE).
Indo-Europeans and
their migrations
Linguists discover
similarities between
many languages—they
must be related.
Originated in Central
Asia about 4500 BCE.
Migrations to Europe
and Asia including Iran
and India (“Aryans”).
Indo-European Migrations, 3000-1000 BCE