Unit 2 Ancient Civilization Review from

Unit 2 – Ancient Civilization • Review from Unit 1 – What is the Fertile Crescent? • Mesopotamia – Greek for what? • Why was this land ideal for farming? • Why was this land often not ideal for farming? • How were people able to control their water resources?

Sumer • As cities grew, city-states were formed, creating local governments • What kind of religion was now being practiced? People worked very hard to please the Gods • Warriors and war chiefs began to rule, creating dynasties.

Sumerian Culture • What was it and how were Sumerians using cuneiform? Could everyone write? - Has anyone read the Epic of Gilgamesh? • We use Sumerian concepts even TODAY! - 60, the wheel, the plow, basic surgery • The people of Sumer used trade as their primary resource for raw materials

The Empires • Akkadia - The worlds’ first empire Where was it? And who ruled? Adopted many Sumerian practices What was the fate of Akkadia? • Babylonia – Hammurabi - Where? When? Who ruled? - Many Sumerian rituals and beliefs were honored in Babylon - What was the fate of the Babylonia Empire?

Code of Hammurabi Project • A devastating world-wide disaster has occurred, wiping out all of mankind. . . • We will create a NEW Code of Hammurabi • Groups of three or four • Choose ONE code from your selection and explain why it will be part of our New Code - Short presentation tomorrow - Please work quietly until the end of class

Mesopotamian Empires • What happened to Babylon? • The Hittites - Indo-European war tribe 3, 000 years ago in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) Military and cultural advances. . . When did this empire fall? ? ?

Mesopotamian Empires cont. . . • The Assyrians - What was life like before they were a dynasty? - Around 900 BC they took over all of Mesopotamia, Asia Minor and parts of Egypt - “The War Machine” relied on what to dominate the region? What/when/why was their downfall? - The Assyrians were ruthless and brutal, however were responsible for many cultural advances. . .

Mesopotamian Empires cont. . . • The Chaldeans - Babylon became their new capitol - Nebuchdnezzar II was their most famous Warrior King - What areas did they capture and make their own? - How long did this empire last?

Mesopotamian Empires cont. . . • The Phoenicians - Western Asia: Sidon and Tyre (present day Lebanon) - Trade was THEIR THING - Were excellent sailors, dominating trade in the Mediterranean - Started settlements along their trade routes > Carthage - Lumber, dye, glass, ivory, silver and slaves - The Phoenician Alphabet > 22 letters (no vowels) > The modern day alphabet is an adaptation of the modified Greek alphabet

The Phoenicians

The Hebrews • Ancestors of the Jews, 2000 -1500 BC - Judaism, Hebrew religion - Early history can be found in the Torah AKA the Old Testament of the Bible - Abraham, was given a covenant by God, in return for him leading his people to a Promised Land (AKA Canaan) - Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, began what was known to be the Israelites - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were patriarchs - After leaving Canaan for Egypt, the Pharaoh would make the Israelites into slaves

Moses and the Exodus • Moses, an Egyptian Israelite, has God speak to him - God demanded he lead the Israelites out of Egypt - God casts down plagues on Egypt to free to the Israelites - Moses leads the Jews on a journey called the Exodus (celebrated today during Passover) - After wandering in the desert for years, the Jews find Mount Sinai, where Moses is given the Ten Commandments - After Sinai, the Jews would fight for years and years to gain back Canaan, eventually getting it back, the land was then renamed, Israel

The 10 Commandments

Israel • What was life like in Canaan? - No government, judges, farmers, continued faith • Saul – The first King of Israel • David – The second King of Israel - Israelites are now united, growing and centered around Jerusalem • Solomon – The third King of Israel - Oversees the height of Israeli life, wealth and power - What happens to Israel following the death of Solomon?

Israel cont. . . • Israel and Judah - Who’s who? Kingdom of Judah AKA the JEWS > 10 northern tribes and two southern tribes - Israel falls to the Assyrians, Judah falls to the Chaldeans (circa 722 BC) > The Jews are enslaved for 50 years AKA Diaspora - Persia takes the Chaldeans, allowing the Jews to return home (some do, some don’t) • Judaism – Religion is the foundation - Monotheism, worship of ONE God Justice and Righteousness Obedience to the Law (think, Ten Commandments) Texts: Torah, Prophets, Writings and the Talmud

The Persian Empire (550 -350 BC) • The Persian Empire was a giant empire that arose in Southwest Asia that was built upon tolerance and a wise government. (Unlike the Assyrians) • In 550 B. C. , Persian King Cyrus defeated several neighboring kingdoms to mark the beginning of the Persian Empire. –In 11 years (550 -539 B. C. ) Cyrus conquered all of the Fertile Crescent and most of Asia minor. –Cyrus believed that when his army marched into a defeated city, that there would be no looting or destroying of any buildings/temples. –Cyrus believed that it was wise leave local customs and religions alone. http: //www. spentaproductions. com/cyruspreview. htm

Persia cont. . . • King Cyrus was killed in 530 B. C. and then his son, Cambyses, took over for 8 years. Cambyses died of a wound suffered by a sword. • Cambyses successor was Darius who governed the fragile empire by using absolute power. –Darius used two important tools to hold the empire together. > Excellent Road System called the “Royal Road System” > Standardized Coinage: The whole empire had a universal money system to trade with.

The Royal Road System “The Royal Road” - 1, 677 miles - Took a caravan 3 months to travel this distance.

Zoroaster • Who was this man? Ø Ø Ø Is Zoroastrianism like any other religion? Ahura is like. . . Ahriman is like. . . Dualism is like. . . Avesta was the teachings of Zoroaster The Greeks all but end the religion • The Persian Empire was dialed in Ø The Royal Road enhanced communication throughout the vast empire Ø Art, animals and gold added to Persian culture Ø Persepolis – ceremonial city designed by Darius • The Persian Empire was one of PEACE