Download Chapter 2 section 3

Chapter 2 section 3
New Centers of Civilization
The Role of Nomadic Peoples
• On the outskirts of many civilizations lived
nomadic people called “Pastoral Nomads”
• These people depended upon
domesticating animals for food and
clothing.
• They also overran communities and
created their own empires.
Interaction
• People who lived in settled communities viewed
the nomads as barbarians, and hostile
• They did interact through trade
• Nomads traded animals and animal products in
return for grains and vegetables they could not
grow themselves
• When times were tough, such as during a
drought though, the nomads would attack
villages to gain the supplies they needed to
survive.
Indo-Europeans
• This is one of the most important nomadic
groups.
• Originated in the steppe region north of the
Black Sea
• Their language is the basis for Greek, Latin,
Persian, Sanskrit, and Germanic languages
• By 2000 B.C. they began moving into Europe,
India, and western Asia.
Hittites
• This group of Indo Europeans created an
empire in modern day Turnkey
• They were the first to use iron
• Their power eventually threatened the
power of the Egyptians
• Yet, they were eventually destroyed by the
“Sea Peoples”
• The Egyptians and Hittites lost power
around 1200 B.C.
The Phoenicians
• The Phoenicians originated in Palestine
• The vacuum of power left after the collapse of
Egypt and the Hittites allowed the Phoenicians
to prosper.
• The Phoenicians were great sailors and thus
trade was their strength.
• They expanded with settlements throughout the
Mediterranean, including Carthage, their most
famous settlement.
• They even expanded as far as Great Britain!
Phoenician Alphabet
• The Phoenician language was simplified to
22 different signs to represent the sounds
of speech.
• The 22 letters could be used to spell out
all of their words.
• Although it was not the first alphabet, it is
significant because it became the Greek
alphabet, then the Roman, which is what
we use today.
The Israelites
• South of the Phoenicians were the
Israelites
• They were not super powerful, but their
religion, Judaism, was extremely influential
in the region and the world.
• Much of their History is written in the
Hebrew Bible, or the Old Testament to
Christians.
Israelite Culture and History
• Their culture was based on grazing rather
than farming.
• Because of drought, they moved to Egypt
where they were enslaved until Moses led
them out of Egypt.
• Around 1200 B.C. they organized
themselves into tribes and formed the
United Kingdom, known as Israel.
The United Kingdom
• King David was their leader
• They now controlled all of the land that
was Israel, and made Jerusalem its
capital.
• King Solomon, (David’s Son) expanded
the government and trade, and built a
huge temple in the center of the city
• This temple came to be the symbolic
center of their religion and kingdom itself
The Divided Kingdom
• Over time, the Kingdom split into 2 separate
Kingdoms. Israel, and Judah.
• In 722 B.C. the Assyrians overran Israel, and
sent many Israelites throughout the region.
• The people of both Israel and Judah were in
exile for hundreds of years.
• The Persians eventually allowed the people of
Judah to return to their land and rebuild their
temple.
• The people of Judah eventually became known
as the Jews, and their religion Judaism.
Judaism
• The Jews were monotheistic, meaning
they believed in one god.
• Some beliefs
• Everything was created and controlled by
God, whether or not people realized it.
• God was just and good, and expected
goodness from the people
• If they did not obey his laws they would be
punished, but he was also compassionate.
Significance
• The Biggest significance of the Jewish
religion was its belief in one God.
• Unlike other religions in the region, all
people had access to God.
• His will was written down, and no leader
could claim that only he knew the ways
and desires of God.
Problem?
• The problem with this belief was that it
created a separation between Jews and
other cultures.
• Because of their strong beliefs, Jews
would not accept the gods of their
conquerors, or neighbors.
• Consequently they could not be integrated
into another community. This also helped
lead to discrimination against Jews.
Review
• What Indo-European group challenged the
power of the Egyptians?
• List 2 ways the Phoenicians were
influential to the ancient world.
• What are some basic beliefs of the Jewish
faith?