Chapter 2 Merchants and Traders of the Eastern

Chapter 2 Merchants and Traders of the Eastern Mediterranean, 1200650 B. C. E.

Learning Objectives: Questions to Consider • How was the Iron Age different from the Bronze Age? • How did trade, commerce, and acquisition of wealth affect the development of empires during the Iron Age? • What was the nature of the relationship between the Hebrews and their god? • What kinds of factors made the Assyrian Empire such an unsuccessful empire? • How were the Persians able to create such a large and successful empire?

Merchants and Traders of the Eastern Mediterranean • From Bronze to Iron, ca. 1200 B. C. E. – Iron Production • The Transition to Iron, 1100 -700 B. C. E. • Tools and Household Utensils • From Cast Iron to Carburized Iron • The Impact on Weaponry – The Iron Age – Economic Changes – Developments in Agriculture, Manufacture and Trade

Merchants and Traders of the Eastern Mediterranean • The Phoenicians – Trade • Merchant Ships • Luxury Goods – “Tyrian Purple” – Commerce, Colonies, and the Alphabet • Carthage and Cadiz at the Strait of Gibraltar – Religion • The Triad of El, Ba’al, and Astarte – Cult Statues

Merchants and Traders of the Eastern Mediterranean • Other Eastern Mediterranean Traders, ca. 1200 B. C. E. – The Aramaeans • Dominating Land Trade – The Philistines • Warriors and Farmers – The Kingdom of Lydia • Gold and the Legend of Midas – The Impact of Coins

The Hebrews and Monotheism, 1800 -900 B. C. E. • Origins of the First People of the Book – Sources of Hebrew History • Scripture, Known to the Jews as the Tanakh – The Torah, the Books of the Prophets, and the Writings – The Hebrew Covenant between El Shaddai and Abraham, the Patriarch • The Path to Monotheism and the Prophets – Clans and the Age of the Patriarchs – The Hebrew Sojourn in Egypt • The Tribes (Children of Israel) Settle in Egypt, ca. 1700 B. C. E.

The Hebrews and Monotheism, 1800 -900 B. C. E. • The Exodus and the Age of Judges – Moses and the Exodus • The Ten Commandments – Prohibitions and Honoring Yahweh » The Sabbath • Settlement in Canaan after Forty Years in the Wilderness • The Difficulty with Dating the Exodus – The Hebrew Judges • Religious Unity and the Ark of the Covenant • Leadership of the Judges and Political Disunity

The Hebrews and Monotheism, 1800 -900 B. C. E. • The Evolution of Hebrew Identity – Hebrew Laws and the Chosen People • The Hebrew Kingdom – Anointed Kings: Saul (r. 1050 -1010 B. C. E. ), David (r. 1010 -970 B. C. E. ), and Solomon (r. 970 -930 B. C. E. ) – The Split: Judah and Israel

The Assyrians and Their Successors, 900– 550 B. C. E. • The Rise of the Assyrian Empire – Origins and the Struggle for Survival • Assimilation of Mesopotamian Culture – The Army and Institutionalized Warfare • Implementing Tactics from Steppe Nomads – Cavalry, Archers, and Specialist Troops – Phases of Expansion • Tiglath-Pilezer III (r. 745 -727 B. C. E. ) – Seizure and Annexation: Chaldeans and Medes • Sennacherib (r. 704 -681 B. C. E. ) and Judah • Esarhaddon (r. 681– 668 B. C. E. ) and Egypt

The Assyrians and Their Successors, 900– 550 B. C. E. • Assyrian Economy and Government – Organization of Empire • Provinces – Tribute, Plunder, and Trade – A Terrorist State • Deportation • The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel – Assyrian Kings • Assurbanipal (r. 671– 627 B. C. E. )

The Assyrians and Their Successors, 900– 550 B. C. E. • The Fall of the Assyrian Empire – Threats and Decline • The Scythians • The Destruction of the Assyrian Army – Regional Successors • The New Babylonian Empire – Nebuchadrezzar (r. 605 -562 B. C. E. ) and the Babylonian Captivity, 587 B. C. E.

The Persian Empire, 550– 500 B. C. E. • Cyrus (r. 550 -531 B. C. E. ) and the Creation of the Persian Empire – Origins: From Settlement in Iran to Kingdom • The Myth of Cyrus (Magi) and Defeat of the Medes – Expansion • Defeat of the Lydians and New Babylonians – Cyrus and the Jews • The Diaspora – The Death of Cyrus and Successor Cambyses (r. 530 -522 B. C. E. )

The Persian Empire, 550– 500 B. C. E. • Darius (r. 521 -486 B. C. E. ) and Imperial Consolidation – Kingship • Divine Authority • Reliefs and Publicity – Organization • Cooperation and Domination • Satrapies and Autonomy – Economy

The Persian Empire, 550– 500 B. C. E. • Persian Society and Religion – Religious dualism: Ahura Mazda and Ahriman – The Teachings of Zoroaster, 750 B. C. E. • The Zend Avesta • Persia, the West, and the Future – The Occupation of Thrace