3.3: The Assyrian and Persian EmpiresHow did the Assyrians and Persians become empires?

The Assyrian and Persian EmpiresAssyrian were fierce warriors

(cavalry)Used iron weapons and tools

The Assyrian and Persian EmpiresEmpire stretched from Persian Gulf

across Fertile Crescent into EgyptDivided empire into 70 provinces

(governor)Ashurbanipal moved capital Ninevah

(Library filled with 20,000 cuneiform tablets)

Nebuchadnezzar restored Babylon (Captured Jerusalem, Hanging Gardens)

Rise of Persian EmpireCyrus the Great conquered the Medes

Standing armyCaptured Babylon (allowed Jews to

return to Jerusalem)Cyrus allowed the Jews to live in

Jerusalem, while Nebuchadnezzar banished them

Rise of Persian Empire

Cambyses (son of Cyrus) took control and continued to increase size of empire

Darius took throne by force (continued to increase size of empire)

Rise of Persian EmpireThe Assyrians became so skilled

at fighting after the fall of the Babylonia because they had to fight many invaders.

Persia’s Government and ReligionSatrapies with local leadersTributeCommon currencyRoadsZoroastrianismThe Persian ruler controlled the

central government and local leaders controlled the local governments.

Persia’s Government and ReligionThe Assyrian rulers were able to

control an empire that stretched across the Persian Gulf and into Egypt by maintaining many unit of government.

Arts of MesopotamiaStone seals marked ownership of

an objectCarved statuesRelief sculpturesStele

Rulers and Empires

Ruler: Nebuchadnezzar Cyrus the Great Darius the Great Ashurbanipal

Empire: Neo-Babylon Persian Persian Assyrian