assyria, babylon, and the persian empire the fertile crescent
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Assyria, Babylon, and the Persian Empire
The Fertile Crescent
The Hebrews were driven out of their kingdoms by both the Assyrians and Babylonians
Assyria
AsurbanipalLasts over 2
centuries (850 to 605 BCE)
Established one of the first libraries
Very war-like peopleTechnology
advancements related to military, much like the Hittites
Assyria
Drove the Hebrews out of the Kingdom of Israel
Intolerant of the religion of the Hebrews
Babylonia (a.k.a…)
Eventually conquer the Assyrians (605-550 BCE)
Establish second empire, led by King Nebuchadnezzar
Babylonia
Drove the Hebrews from the kingdom of JudahJerusalem is sackedBabylonian Captivity
Intolerant of the faith and customs of the Hebrews
Enter Persia…Geography of Persia
Caspian Sea to Persian Gulf
Central Europe through Fertile Crescent
ResourcesCopper, lead, gold,
silverLapis
Many small kingdomsSociety is diverse Includes Indo-European
tribes, nomads and settled groups of people
By 486 BC, the Persians would control all of Mesopotamia and, in fact, all of the world from Macedon northeast of Greece to Egypt, from Palestine and the Arabian peninsula across Mesopotamia and all the way to India.
The Religions of Persia
Zoroastrianism Zoroaster, a Persian prophet Struggle between evil and good, all are
involved Monotheistic: Ahura Mazda Popular amongst Roman military Parsis = modern name, Iran and India
Judaism
Enter Cyrus
550 BCE, Cyrus conquers other kingdoms, unites them under one rule
Expands empire from 550-539 BCESpans 2,000 miles west to east
Uses diplomacy and military might
Killed in battle with nomadic warriors inmodern Pakistan
Persia Under Cyrus
Advanced technology in weaponry, fuels the Persian military
Rebuilding of JerusalemCity and the temple
Firm, fair ruleTrade in natural
resourcesTrade helps fund
conquests
Cyrus’ Legacies
Religious ToleranceCyrus honored local religious customsWelcomed Jews to return to Jerusalem
Civility Armies did not loot conquestsKind toward conquered peoples
“O man, I am Cyrus the son of Cambyses. I established the Persian Empire and was king of Asia. Do not begrudge my memorial”—Tomb enscription
After Cyrus
Cyrus dies in 530 BCECambyses, son of Cyrus, takes
power-8 year ruleExpands empire into EgyptLess tolerant of other religions
Darius seizes throne in 522 BCECrushes revoltsExpands empire into Greece, farther into
Egypt, farther north into central Europe
The End of Persia?
Darius and the Greeks
Persian Wars: 490-479 BCE