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Unit 2 – Ancient Civilization

Unit 2 – Ancient Civilization. Review from Unit 1 – What is the Fertile Crescent? Mesopotamia – Greek for what? Why was this land ideal for farming? Why was this land often not ideal for farming? How were people able to control their water resources?. Sumer.

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Unit 2 – Ancient Civilization

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  1. Unit 2 – Ancient Civilization • Review from Unit 1 – What is the Fertile Crescent? • Mesopotamia – Greek for what? • Why was this land ideal for farming? • Why was this land often not ideal for farming? • How were people able to control their water resources?

  2. Sumer • As cities grew, city-states were formed, creating local governments • What kind of religion was now being practiced? People worked very hard to please the Gods • Warriors and war chiefs began to rule, creating dynasties.

  3. Sumerian Culture • What was it and how were Sumerians using cuneiform? Could everyone write? • Has anyone read the Epic of Gilgamesh? • We use Sumerian concepts even TODAY! • 60, the wheel, the plow, basic surgery • The people of Sumer used trade as their primary resource for raw materials

  4. The Empires • Akkadia • The worlds’ first empire • Where was it? And who ruled? • Adopted many Sumerian practices • What was the fate of Akkadia? • Babylonia – Hammurabi • Where? When? Who ruled? • Many Sumerian rituals and beliefs were honored in Babylon • What was the fate of the Babylonia Empire?

  5. Code of Hammurabi Project • A devastating world-wide disaster has occurred, wiping out all of mankind... • We will create a NEW Code of Hammurabi • Groups of three or four • Choose ONE code from your selection and explain why it will be part of our New Code • Short presentation tomorrow • Please work quietly until the end of class

  6. Mesopotamian Empires • What happened to Babylon? • The Hittites • Indo-European war tribe • 3,000 years ago in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) • Military and cultural advances... - When did this empire fall???

  7. Mesopotamian Empires cont... • The Assyrians • What was life like before they were a dynasty? • Around 900 BC they took over all of Mesopotamia, Asia Minor and parts of Egypt • “The War Machine” relied on what to dominate the region? What/when/why was their downfall? - The Assyrians were ruthless and brutal, however were responsible for many cultural advances...

  8. Mesopotamian Empires cont... • The Chaldeans • Babylon became their new capitol • Nebuchdnezzar II was their most famous Warrior King • What areas did they capture and make their own? • How long did this empire last?

  9. Mesopotamian Empires cont... • The Phoenicians • Western Asia: Sidon and Tyre (present day Lebanon) • Trade was THEIR THING • Were excellent sailors, dominating trade in the Mediterranean • Started settlements along their trade routes > Carthage • Lumber, dye, glass, ivory, silver and slaves • The Phoenician Alphabet > 22 letters (no vowels) > The modern day alphabet is an adaptation of the modified Greek alphabet

  10. The Phoenicians

  11. The Hebrews • Ancestors of the Jews, 2000-1500 BC • Judaism, Hebrew religion • Early history can be found in the Torah AKA the Old Testament of the Bible • Abraham, was given a covenant by God, in return for him leading his people to a Promised Land (AKA Canaan) • Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, began what was known to be the Israelites • Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were patriarchs • After leaving Canaan for Egypt, the Pharaoh would make the Israelites into slaves

  12. Moses and the Exodus • Moses, an Egyptian Israelite, has God speak to him • God demanded he lead the Israelites out of Egypt • God casts down plagues on Egypt to free to the Israelites • Moses leads the Jews on a journey called the Exodus (celebrated today during Passover) • After wandering in the desert for years, the Jews find Mount Sinai, where Moses is given the Ten Commandments - After Sinai, the Jews would fight for years and years to gain back Canaan, eventually getting it back, the land was then renamed, Israel

  13. The 10 Commandments

  14. Israel • What was life like in Canaan? • No government, judges, farmers, continued faith • Saul – The first King of Israel • David – The second King of Israel • Israelites are now united, growing and centered around Jerusalem • Solomon – The third King of Israel • Oversees the height of Israeli life, wealth and power • What happens to Israel following the death of Solomon?

  15. Israel cont... • Israel and Judah • Who’s who? Kingdom of Judah AKA the JEWS > 10 northern tribes and two southern tribes • Israel falls to the Assyrians, Judah falls to the Chaldeans (circa 722 BC) > The Jews are enslaved for 50 years AKA Diaspora • Persia takes the Chaldeans, allowing the Jews to return home (some do, some don’t) • Judaism – Religion is the foundation • Monotheism, worship of ONE God • Justice and Righteousness • Obedience to the Law (think, Ten Commandments) • Texts: Torah, Prophets, Writings and the Talmud

  16. The Persian Empire (550-350 BC) • The Persian Empire was a giant empire that arose in Southwest Asia that was built upon tolerance and a wise government. (Unlike the Assyrians) • In 550 B.C., Persian King Cyrus defeated several neighboring kingdoms to mark the beginning of the Persian Empire. • In 11 years (550-539 B.C.) Cyrus conquered all of the Fertile Crescent and most of Asia minor. • Cyrus believed that when his army marched into a defeated city, that there would be no looting or destroying of any buildings/temples. • Cyrus believed that it was wise leave local customs and religions alone. http://www.spentaproductions.com/cyruspreview.htm

  17. Persia cont... • King Cyrus was killed in 530 B.C. and then his son, Cambyses, took over for 8 years. Cambyses died of a wound suffered by a sword. • Cambyses successor was Darius who governed the fragile empire by using absolute power. • Darius used two important tools to hold the empire together. > Excellent Road System called the “Royal Road System” > Standardized Coinage: The whole empire had a universal money system to trade with.

  18. The Royal Road System “The Royal Road” - 1,677 miles - Took a caravan 3 months to travel this distance.

  19. Zoroaster • Who was this man? • Is Zoroastrianism like any other religion? • Ahura is like... Ahriman is like... • Dualism is like... • Avesta was the teachings of Zoroaster • The Greeks all but end the religion • The Persian Empire was dialed in • The Royal Road enhanced communication throughout the vast empire • Art, animals and gold added to Persian culture • Persepolis – ceremonial city designed by Darius • The Persian Empire was one of PEACE

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