The Mediterranean and The Mediterranean and Middle EastMiddle East

2000 – 500 B.C.E.2000 – 500 B.C.E.

Chapter 3Chapter 3

Cosmopolitan Middle EastCosmopolitan Middle East1700 – 1100 B.C.E.1700 – 1100 B.C.E.

Late Bronze Age in Middle East – Late Bronze Age in Middle East – ‘cosmopolitan era’ ‘cosmopolitan era’ • Widely shared cultures and lifestylesWidely shared cultures and lifestyles• Extensive diplomatic relationsExtensive diplomatic relations• Commercial contactsCommercial contacts• Generally good standard of living Generally good standard of living

HittitesHittites

Emerged as major power 1700 – Emerged as major power 1700 – 2300 B.C.E.2300 B.C.E.

Capital at Hattusha (near present Capital at Hattusha (near present day Ankara, Turkey)day Ankara, Turkey)

First to use horse drawn chariotsFirst to use horse drawn chariots May have been first to come up with May have been first to come up with

iron tools and weaponsiron tools and weapons

New KingdomNew KingdomEgyptEgypt

Middle Kingdom ended – 17Middle Kingdom ended – 17thth Century Century B.C.E.B.C.E.

Led to break down in central Led to break down in central authorityauthority

Political fragmentationPolitical fragmentation Economic declineEconomic decline

Akhenaton and AtonThe Pharaoh Amenhotep sought to replace traditional polytheism with the worship of Aton, a single god who was represented with the sun disk. Amenhotep took the name Akhenaton ("It is well with Aton"). This relief shows the king and his wife Nefertiti worshipping Aton. (Egyptian Museum, Cairo)

Akhenaton and AtonAkhenaton and Aton

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Reunification of EgyptReunification of Egypt

2 princes from Thebes expelled the 2 princes from Thebes expelled the HyksosHyksos

Started the New Kingdom - @1532 to Started the New Kingdom - @1532 to 1070 B.C.E.1070 B.C.E.

Very aggressive and expansionist Very aggressive and expansionist policiespolicies

Controlled territory from north into Controlled territory from north into Syria/Palestine and south into NubiaSyria/Palestine and south into Nubia

HatshepsutHatshepsut(r. 1473-1458 BCE)(r. 1473-1458 BCE)

Regent for young stepsonRegent for young stepson Claimed royal title for herselfClaimed royal title for herself 1460 B.C.E. – sent naval expedition 1460 B.C.E. – sent naval expedition

down the Red Sea to “Punt”down the Red Sea to “Punt”• Brought home myrrh – important for Brought home myrrh – important for

religious ceremonies and as anreligious ceremonies and as an ingredient in medicines and cosmeticsingredient in medicines and cosmetics• Cut out middlemen in the trade – Cut out middlemen in the trade –

success validated her as pharaohsuccess validated her as pharaoh

Statue of HatshepsutThis statue of the pharaoh Hatshepsut is one of the few to depict her as a woman. She is usually shown as a man, complete with beard, which symbolizes royal power. Centuries later the proportions and carving techniques of Egyptian stone sculpture would influence the Greeks. (Brian Brake/Photo Researchers, Inc.)

Statue of HatshepsutStatue of Hatshepsut

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RamessidesRamessides1414thth Century B.C.E. Century B.C.E.

Hamerhab – 1323 B.C.E. – seized Hamerhab – 1323 B.C.E. – seized thronethrone

Policy of conquest and expansionPolicy of conquest and expansion Ramesses II – probably greatest Ramesses II – probably greatest

monarch of this dynastymonarch of this dynasty• Ruled 1290 – 1224 B.C.E.Ruled 1290 – 1224 B.C.E.• Built many monuments throughout Built many monuments throughout

EgyptEgypt• Lived into his 90’sLived into his 90’s

Rameses II (cont)Rameses II (cont)

Valley of Kings – tombValley of Kings – tomb Since 1990 – archaeologist have Since 1990 – archaeologist have

excavated more than 100 corridors excavated more than 100 corridors and chambersand chambers

1285 B.C.E. – fought with Hittites at 1285 B.C.E. – fought with Hittites at Kadesh – northern Syria – probably a Kadesh – northern Syria – probably a draw – forced both sides to negotiate draw – forced both sides to negotiate a treatya treaty

Temple of Ramesses II at Abu SimbelStrategically placed at a bend in the Nile River to face the southern frontier, this monument was an advertisement of Egyptian power. A temple was carved into the cliff behind the gigantic statues of the pharaoh. Within the temple, a corridor decorated with reliefs of military victories leads to an inner shrine containing images of the divine ruler seated alongside three of the major gods. In a modern marvel of engineering, the monument was moved to higher ground in the 1960s to protect it from rising waters when a dam was constructed upriver. (Susan Lapides/Woodfin Camp & Associates)

Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Temple of Ramesses II at Abu SimbelSimbel

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Golden coffin of TutankhamenTutankhamen, who died at the age of 18, was a minor king who ruled Egypt from about 1347-1338 B.C.E. Although most Egyptian tombs have been plundered over the years, Tutankhamen's tomb--with all its treasures--was intact when it was discovered. Among the treasures was this solid gold sarcophagus (coffin) of "King Tut," which weighs 250 pounds. The cover of the coffin depicts a handsome youth with delicacy, charm, and comeliness. (Robert Harding Picture Library)

Golden coffin of Golden coffin of TutankhamenTutankhamen

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Aegean WorldAegean World2000 – 1100 B.C.E.2000 – 1100 B.C.E.

GeographyGeography• Southern Greece and Aegean islands – Southern Greece and Aegean islands –

rocky and aridrocky and arid• Small plains between steep hillsSmall plains between steep hills• Grew grains, grapes and olive treesGrew grains, grapes and olive trees

TradeTrade• Coastlines and harbors good for sea Coastlines and harbors good for sea

tradetrade• Fastest and cheapest mode of travelFastest and cheapest mode of travel

Minoan CivilizationMinoan Civilization2000 B.C.E.2000 B.C.E.

11stst European civilization European civilization• Centralized government, monumental building, Centralized government, monumental building,

bronze metallurgy, writing and record keepingbronze metallurgy, writing and record keeping• Capital on the island of CreteCapital on the island of Crete

Strong Egyptian influencesStrong Egyptian influences• Seen in pottery and artSeen in pottery and art

Origins unknownOrigins unknown• Writing has not yet been deciphered (called Writing has not yet been deciphered (called

Linear A)Linear A)

End came @ 1450 B.C.E. – probably End came @ 1450 B.C.E. – probably the Mycenaean'sthe Mycenaean's• All palaces except Cnossus (Knossus) All palaces except Cnossus (Knossus)

were destroyedwere destroyed

Mycenaean GreeceMycenaean Greece

Arose about same time as MinoanArose about same time as Minoan Indo-Europeans that migrated into Indo-Europeans that migrated into

the Greek peninsulathe Greek peninsula Intermarried, blended languages, Intermarried, blended languages,

and mixed cultural practices – and mixed cultural practices – Created 1Created 1stst Greek culture Greek culture

Early life of Early life of Mycenaean GreeceMycenaean Greece

11stst 4 centuries – primarily farming 4 centuries – primarily farming and shepherdingand shepherding

1600 – 1150 B.C.E. – developed a 1600 – 1150 B.C.E. – developed a very complex and wealthy civilizationvery complex and wealthy civilization

Homer’s Homer’s Iliad Iliad – ‘history’ of early Mycenae – probably based on some facts – evidence found in southern Greece

Built like the Minoans – probably Built like the Minoans – probably traded with them extensivelytraded with them extensively

Writing – Linear B – uses pictorial Writing – Linear B – uses pictorial signs – recognizable as early form of signs – recognizable as early form of GreekGreek• Kept track of details of tradeKept track of details of trade• Little mention of political leadersLittle mention of political leaders

Political OrganizationPolitical Organization

Argument for political unity:Argument for political unity:

- cultural uniformity- cultural uniformity

- buildings very similar in all cities- buildings very similar in all cities

- clothing, tools, utensils alike- clothing, tools, utensils alike

Argument for disunityArgument for disunity

- Iliad- Iliad – story of armies fighting to gain – story of armies fighting to gain controlcontrol

End of Late Bronze AgeEnd of Late Bronze AgeCivilizationsCivilizations

@1200 B.C.E. – large numbers of @1200 B.C.E. – large numbers of people on the movepeople on the move

Invaders moved south, taking over Invaders moved south, taking over territories as they traveledterritories as they traveled

Egyptians write of Ekwesh – possibly Egyptians write of Ekwesh – possibly the Egyptian word for Aegean's – the Egyptian word for Aegean's – took over Egypttook over Egypt

Assyrian EmpireAssyrian Empire911 – 612 B.C.E.911 – 612 B.C.E.

Homeland geographyHomeland geography• Northern MesopotamiaNorthern Mesopotamia• Hillier,Hillier,• More temperate climateMore temperate climate• Greater rainfallGreater rainfall• Exposed to raiders from mts. Exposed to raiders from mts.

Peasants – self-reliant, became Peasants – self-reliant, became backbone of armybackbone of army

PoliticalPolitical

Chosen byThe Gods

All peopleAs servants

(includes highest ranking officials)

All land

King

Kings ResponsibilitiesKings Responsibilities

Manage empire with help of scribes Manage empire with help of scribes and spiesand spies

Ambassador – met with foreign Ambassador – met with foreign leadersleaders

Military leader – included going on Military leader – included going on campaignscampaigns

Supervision of state religion – very Supervision of state religion – very importantimportant

TechnologyTechnology

Iron weaponsIron weapons CavalryCavalry Engineering –Engineering –

• Tunnels Tunnels • Mobile towers for archersMobile towers for archers• Battering ramsBattering rams

GovernmentGovernment

Provincial officialsProvincial officials• Oversaw payments of taxes and tributeOversaw payments of taxes and tribute• Maintained law and orderMaintained law and order• Subject to inspection by royal overseersSubject to inspection by royal overseers

Elite class and skilled professionalsElite class and skilled professionals• Feared punishmentFeared punishment• Expected to be rewarded for loyaltyExpected to be rewarded for loyalty

SocietySociety

In core area:In core area:• 3 classes of people – free, landowning citizens; 3 classes of people – free, landowning citizens;

farmers and artisans; slavesfarmers and artisans; slaves• Normally not a divide between native Assyrians Normally not a divide between native Assyrians

and immigrants and deportees – all referred to and immigrants and deportees – all referred to as ‘human beings’as ‘human beings’

culture culture • Trade encouragedTrade encouraged• Science and literature grewScience and literature grew• Medicine – experimented with surgical Medicine – experimented with surgical

proceduresprocedures

DownfallDownfall

Too harsh to subjugated peopleToo harsh to subjugated people Used up all resourcesUsed up all resources Wealth all sent to center, edges Wealth all sent to center, edges

sufferedsuffered Money invested in trade with outlying Money invested in trade with outlying

areas did help keep some of the areas did help keep some of the people in edges happypeople in edges happy

IsraelIsrael2000 – 500 B.C.E.2000 – 500 B.C.E.

Western edge of Assyrian empireWestern edge of Assyrian empire• Nomadic kinship groups – herders and caravan Nomadic kinship groups – herders and caravan

traderstraders• Settled down – became a sedentary society Settled down – became a sedentary society

with complex social and political organizationswith complex social and political organizations• Became integrated into commercial and Became integrated into commercial and

diplomatic networks of Middle Eastdiplomatic networks of Middle East• Created concept of single, all-knowing Created concept of single, all-knowing

deity – became foundation of Judaism and deity – became foundation of Judaism and ChristianityChristianity

Hebrew BibleHebrew Bible

Old Testament (Christian name)Old Testament (Christian name) Oral tradition until about 10Oral tradition until about 10thth century century

B.C.E. (Phoenician script)B.C.E. (Phoenician script) Accuracy is questionableAccuracy is questionable Hebrew language – reflects speech of Hebrew language – reflects speech of

Israelites until about 500 B.C.E.Israelites until about 500 B.C.E.• Semitic language – closely related to Semitic language – closely related to

Phoenician and AramaicPhoenician and Aramaic

Family of AbrahamFamily of Abraham

Originated in city of Ur – southern Originated in city of Ur – southern MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Rejected idol worship of homelandRejected idol worship of homeland Traveled to land of IsraelTraveled to land of Israel Covenant between Abraham and Covenant between Abraham and

Yahweh (Israelite god)Yahweh (Israelite god) Probably the story of many Probably the story of many

generations of this familygenerations of this family

Children of IsraelChildren of Israel

Coalition of people – invented Coalition of people – invented common ancestrycommon ancestry

12 tribes created12 tribes created Each tribe led by chiefsEach tribe led by chiefs

• Mediated disputesMediated disputes• Saw to safety and well being of groupSaw to safety and well being of group

““Judges” – famed for war or Judges” – famed for war or arbitration skillsarbitration skills

MonarchyMonarchy1200 B.C.E.1200 B.C.E.

Saul – named first king by Samuel – Saul – named first king by Samuel – needed to fight off Philistines – 1020 needed to fight off Philistines – 1020 B.C.E.B.C.E.

David – r. ca. 1000 – 960 B.C.E. – David – r. ca. 1000 – 960 B.C.E. – created a unified monarchycreated a unified monarchy• Established Jerusalem as capital (lay Established Jerusalem as capital (lay

outside tribal boundaries)outside tribal boundaries)• Brought Ark of the Covenant there – Brought Ark of the Covenant there –

made it political and religious centermade it political and religious center

SolomonSolomon(r. ca. 960 – 920 B.C.E.)(r. ca. 960 – 920 B.C.E.)

High point of Israelite monarchyHigh point of Israelite monarchy• Alliances and trade with distant landsAlliances and trade with distant lands• Traveled to Saba (present day Yemen)Traveled to Saba (present day Yemen)• Horn of Africa (Somalia)Horn of Africa (Somalia)• Very wealthyVery wealthy• Built First TempleBuilt First Temple

DeclineDecline

Solomon died @ 920 B.C.E.Solomon died @ 920 B.C.E. Split kingdom in 2Split kingdom in 2

• Solidified monotheistic beliefsSolidified monotheistic beliefs• Sometimes fought, sometimes got alongSometimes fought, sometimes got along

Unified against Assyrians Unified against Assyrians • Eventually all defeatedEventually all defeated• Moved royal family to area ‘by the Moved royal family to area ‘by the

waters of Babylon’ waters of Babylon’

DiasporaDiaspora

Cyrus offered homeland back to JewsCyrus offered homeland back to Jews Many refused to return - very Many refused to return - very

prosperous in Babylonprosperous in Babylon Origin of the Diaspora or scattering Origin of the Diaspora or scattering

of the Jewsof the Jews• Beginning of synagoguesBeginning of synagogues

JudahJudah

Some tribes returned to JudahSome tribes returned to Judah• Not very welcome thereNot very welcome there• Rebuilt temple (smaller)Rebuilt temple (smaller)• Wrote Deuteronomic Code – Wrote Deuteronomic Code –

establishment of laws and conduct rules establishment of laws and conduct rules for Jewsfor Jews

• Compilation of Hebrew Bible – roughly Compilation of Hebrew Bible – roughly its present day formits present day form

Phoenicia & the MediterraneanPhoenicia & the Mediterranean1200 – 500 B.C.E.1200 – 500 B.C.E.

Syria- Palestine people – called Syria- Palestine people – called themselves Canaanitesthemselves Canaanites• Historians call them PhoeniciansHistorians call them Phoenicians• Lived along the strip of land between Lived along the strip of land between

the mts. And sea in present day the mts. And sea in present day LebanonLebanon

• TradersTraders• Developed alphabetic system of writingDeveloped alphabetic system of writing

CarthageCarthage

One of the largest cities in the world by One of the largest cities in the world by 500 B.C.E. (@400,000 people)500 B.C.E. (@400,000 people)

Focused on tradeFocused on trade• Controlled all sea lanes of west MediterraneanControlled all sea lanes of west Mediterranean• Traded as far south as sub-Saharan AfricaTraded as far south as sub-Saharan Africa

Used mercenaries to fight warsUsed mercenaries to fight wars• Numidieans – North AfricaNumidieans – North Africa• Iberians – SpainIberians – Spain• Gauls - FranceGauls - France

End of PowerEnd of Power750 – 550 B.C.E.750 – 550 B.C.E.

Assyrian control of Middle east ends Assyrian control of Middle east ends by 650 B.C.E.by 650 B.C.E.• Too big to maintain bordersToo big to maintain borders• Harsh treatment of conquered peopleHarsh treatment of conquered people• Assimilation of so many groups Assimilation of so many groups • Loss of money and focus in too many Loss of money and focus in too many

warswars

Two New PowersTwo New Powers

Medes – took over Iranian plateau Medes – took over Iranian plateau Neo-Babylonians – took over territory Neo-Babylonians – took over territory

in the southin the south• Wiped out most traces of Assyrians in Wiped out most traces of Assyrians in

outer areasouter areas• Nebuchadnezzar (r. 604-562 B.C.E.) Nebuchadnezzar (r. 604-562 B.C.E.)

rebuilt Babylonrebuilt Babylon