Indo-European Migrations: 4m-2m BCE
Indo-European Migrations: 4m-2m BCE
The Middle East: “The Crossroads of Three Continents”
The Middle East: “The Crossroads of Three Continents”
The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area
The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area
The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”
The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”
Sumerian Religion - Polytheistic
Sumerian Religion - Polytheistic
Enki
Enki
Innana
Innana
Anthropomorphic Gods Anthropomorphic Gods
• Settled in Mesopotamia in 3500 B.C.Settled in Mesopotamia in 3500 B.C.• Built the world’s first cities (Ur, Uruk, Built the world’s first cities (Ur, Uruk,
Eridu)Eridu)• Built Built zigguratsziggurats – temples in each city- – temples in each city-
statestate– only priests could enter the templesonly priests could enter the temples
• Government: each city was Government: each city was independentindependent– A military leader was chosen to lead/protectA military leader was chosen to lead/protect– 2700: military leaders were viewed as kings2700: military leaders were viewed as kings– Leaders served as king and high priestLeaders served as king and high priest– The legal systems were not clear or The legal systems were not clear or
consistentconsistent
• Roles of Men and WomenRoles of Men and Women– Men had ultimate authority over familiesMen had ultimate authority over families– Women possessed very few rights (buy/sell Women possessed very few rights (buy/sell
prop.)prop.)
• Writing SystemWriting System– Cuneiform: pictograms on wet clayCuneiform: pictograms on wet clay– GilgameshGilgamesh was written @ 1850 B.C. was written @ 1850 B.C.
• Religion: Religion: each god was over a natural forceeach god was over a natural force– The gods were viewed as unpredictable/angryThe gods were viewed as unpredictable/angry
• Inventions:Inventions:– The wheel, 12 mo. Calendar, arch, and sundialThe wheel, 12 mo. Calendar, arch, and sundial– Developed bronze and metal plowDeveloped bronze and metal plow
Mesopotamian TradeMesopotamian Trade
“The Cuneiform World”
“The Cuneiform World”
Cuneiform: “Wedge-Shaped” Writing
Cuneiform: “Wedge-Shaped” Writing
Deciphering Cuneiform
Deciphering Cuneiform
GilgameshGilgamesh
Ziggurat at UrZiggurat at Ur
Temple
“Mountain of the Gods”
Temple
“Mountain of the Gods”
Sophisticated Metallurgy Skills
at Ur
Sophisticated Metallurgy Skills
at Ur
Sargon of Akkad:The World’s First Empire
Came to power in the 2300s B.C.United the Mesopotamian city-states
Sargon of Akkad:The World’s First Empire
Came to power in the 2300s B.C.United the Mesopotamian city-states
The Babylonian Empires
The Babylonian Empires
• Hammurabi’s Babylonian EmpireHammurabi’s Babylonian Empire– Amorites overran Sumerian centers (Babylon)Amorites overran Sumerian centers (Babylon)– Hammurabi became the dominant ruler Hammurabi became the dominant ruler – Law Code: “Made Justice Appear in the Land”Law Code: “Made Justice Appear in the Land”
• Law covered the entire regionLaw covered the entire region• 282 sections on Daily Life282 sections on Daily Life• Clear punishment for crimesClear punishment for crimes
• Babylonian SocietyBabylonian Society– Upper Class: Kings, priests, noblesUpper Class: Kings, priests, nobles– Middle Class: artisans, merchants, scribes, Middle Class: artisans, merchants, scribes,
farmersfarmers– Lower Class: slaves (from war/had not paid debts)Lower Class: slaves (from war/had not paid debts)– Borrowed ideas and techniques from SumeriansBorrowed ideas and techniques from Sumerians
• Writing system, farming techniques, & religionWriting system, farming techniques, & religion
Hammurabi’s [r. 1792-1750 B. C. E.] CodeHammurabi’s [r. 1792-1750 B. C. E.] Code
Hittite EmpireHittite Empire
Hattusas: Capital of the Hittites
Hattusas: Capital of the Hittites
Hittite Chariots & Warriors
Hittite Chariots & Warriors
A Balance of Power: 1200 B. C. E.
A Balance of Power: 1200 B. C. E.
The Battle of KadeshThe Battle of Kadesh
Treaty of Kadesh
Treaty of Kadesh
Ramses II at KadeshRamses II at Kadesh
Phoenician Sea Routes
Phoenician Sea Routes
• The Phoenicians: Settled in Canaan– Known as Palestine, “land of the
Philistines”
– Controlled the trade in the Med. Sea
– Used an alphabet to keep track of records
– Set up colonies and trading posts
Phoenician AlphabetPhoenician Alphabet
Carthage: Phoenicia’s Mightiest ColonyCarthage: Phoenicia’s Mightiest Colony
The Assyrian EmpireThe Assyrian Empire
• Lived in northern Mesopotamia• Most lethal and ruthless military in the
Middle East– Organized the military into different groups– Fought with iron weapons
• 650 BC: had created Empire (capital – Nineveh)– Divided the empire into provinces– Built a sophisticated system of roads
• 612 B.C. – the Chaldeans defeated the Assyrians
Jewish Captives: 8c BCE
Jewish Captives: 8c BCE
Babylon under the Chaldeans
Babylon under the Chaldeans
• Descendents of Hammurabi’s Empire
• Nebuchadnezzar – most powerful king– Expanded the empire to include
Syria/Canaan
• Studied astrology: laid foundation for astronomy
• Decline after Nebuchadnezzar– weak kings + poor harvest + slow trade
• 539 B.C. – Persians seized Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II’s Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II’s Babylon
Hanging Gardensof Babylon?
Hanging Gardensof Babylon?
Abraham’s GeneaologyAbraham’s Geneaology
ABRAHAMABRAHAM SARAHSARAHHAGARHAGAR
IsaacIsaac
EsauEsauJacobJacob
12 Tribes of Israel
12 Tribes of Israel
Ishmael
Ishmael
12 Arabian Tribes
12 Arabian Tribes
• Lived in Canaan (Abraham)
• Monotheistic– Worshiped one God (Yahweh)
• A divine covenant w/ Abraham
• Lived as nomadic shepherds
• Jacob and 12 sons– Joseph was sold into slavery
– Fled to Egypt
– Later enslaved
Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People
Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People
The TorahThe Torah
The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible.
The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.
The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible.
The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.
MosesMoses
“Prince of Egypt”
“Prince of Egypt”
“Shepherd of His People”
“Shepherd of His People”
• Moses and the Exodus from Egypt– Commemorated Passover
• Settling in Canaan: Joshua led them into Canaan– Fought against the Canaanites and Philistines– Judges led the Twelve Tribes of Israel
• Saul (r. 1020-1012 B.C.): first Israelite king• David (r. 1012-961 B.C.)
– Defeated Goliath– Set up the capital in Jerusalem – economic prosperity
• Solomon (r. 961-922 B.C.)– Built the Temple in Jerusalem– Very prosperous economically
The ExodusThe Exodus
Route of the ExodusRoute of the Exodus
Moses and the 10 Commandmets
Moses and the 10 Commandmets
A new “covenant”
with Yahweh
A new “covenant”
with Yahweh
Mount SinaiMount Sinai
King David’s EmpireKing David’s Empire
Solomon’s
Kingdom
Solomon’s
Kingdom
Inside the Temple Tabernacle
Inside the Temple Tabernacle
The Arcof the
Covenant
The Arcof the
Covenant
The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Today
The Temple Mount, Jerusalem Today
Solomon’s Temple Wall: The “Wailing” Wall
Solomon’s Temple Wall: The “Wailing” Wall
• Israel’s Struggle– 10 northern tribes broke away from the southern 2– The 2 southern tribes became Judah (Jews)
• Exile of Kingdoms– Assyrians and Chaldeans invaded and enslaved
Israel– Exile in Babylon – prophets (Jeremiah) rose up
• Rebuilding Jerusalem– 539 B.C. the Persians (Cyrus) conquered the
Chaldeans– Darius allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem to
rebuild– The Torah was organized (first 5 books of the O.T.)– The Diaspora (the scattering) began
Kingdoms of
Judah
&
Israel
Kingdoms of
Judah
&
Israel
The PersiansThe Persians
The Persian EmpireThe Persian Empire
Cyrus the GreatCyrus the Great
580 – 529 B. C. E.
580 – 529 B. C. E.
A tolerant ruler he Allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions.
The Greeks called him a “Law-Giver.”
The Jews called him “the anointed of the Lord.” (In 537, he allowed over 40,000 to return to Palestine).
Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)
Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.) Built Persepolis.
He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. s.q. mi.)
Built a canal in Egypt.
Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)
Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)
Established a tax-collecting system.
Divided the empire into districts called SATRAPS.
Built the great Royal Road system.
Established a complex postal system.
Created a network of spies called “the King’s eyes and ears.”
Ancient PersepolisAncient Persepolis
PersepolisPersepolis
Persian Archers & Soldiers
Persian Archers & Soldiers
Zarathustra [Zoroaster], 6c BCE:
Good Thoughts, Good Deed, Good Words
Zarathustra [Zoroaster], 6c BCE:
Good Thoughts, Good Deed, Good Words
“Tree of Life”“Tree of Life”
Extent of Zoroastrianism
Extent of Zoroastrianism
Dualistic Battle of Good vs. Evil
Dualistic Battle of Good vs. Evil
Ahura Mazda“Holy Spirit”Ahura Mazda“Holy Spirit”
Ahriman“Destructive
Spirit”
Ahriman“Destructive
Spirit”
Zend-Avesta(The “Book of Law”)Zend-Avesta(The “Book of Law”)
The “Sacred Fire” the force to fight evil
The “Sacred Fire” the force to fight evil
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