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