The Fertile Crescent Empires: The Hittites

The Fertile Crescent Empires: The Hittites • As the Babylonian Empire Declined, other civilizations prospered around the Fertile Crescent • Nomadic tribes from the mountains and deserts moved into the region as well • Tribes battled each other for land • Power and control passed from one group to the next

Indo-Europeans • The Indo-Europeans were one of the tribes who invaded Mesopotamia • Each of these tribes spoke a related language • Indo-Europeans came from the Steppes, or grasslands north of the Black Sea. They left the area because of possible drought, social conflict, or lack of resources

Hittite Military • The Hittites were a warlike Indo-European tribe • They settled in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) around 2000 BCE • They conquered the area and created a strong empire

Why was their Military successful? • Horse-drawn war chariot; it was heavy and slow, but powerful • At that time most chariots only had two soldiers, but the Hittites held three soldiers (i.e., one man drove, a second fought, and a third held shields) • This allowed them to get closer in battle • This allowed them to expand their empire beyond Asia Minor • In 1595 BCE, they destroyed Babylon • Babylon fell to the Kassites, who ruled the area for nearly 400 years

Hittite Culture • The Hittites, much like the Akkadians and Babylonians, blended their culture with the cultures around them (Assimilation) • They used Sumerian Cuneiform to write their language • Developed a code very similar to Hammurabi’s code

Hittite Contributions • First people to master iron working techniques – eventually turned into Iron tools and weapons • Hittite rule reached its peak around 1300 BCE, and stuck around until 1200 BCE • Their empire fell to powerful raiders, known as the “Sea Peoples”

The Assyrians and the Chaldeans • After the Hittite Empire fell, other peoples fought for dominance in western Asia • Eventually the Assyrians emerged as a power

The Assyrians • Originally from northern Mesopotamia, near the city of Assur along the upper Tigris River • Grew barley and raised cattle • Adopted much of Sumerian culture • Assyrians’ land received fairly good rainfall and was in the midst of major trade routes – this caused many tribes to invade as an attempt to control the area • The Assyrians briefly gained power in the 1300s BCE and built an empire but it didn’t last • Then again in 900 BCE the Assyrians regained strength and built a new empire (included Mesopotamia, Asia minor, and Egypt)

Assyrian Empire: Map

The Assyrians: Military Machine • Assyria’s power relied on its military (because of their location, frequent rain, and fertile soil) • Constant warfare turned them into a warrior society • Their army included chariots, foot soldiers, and cavalry – all had iron weapons • SIEGE WARFARE, AND TERROR!!!!! DID I SAY SIEGE WARFARE?

Assyrian Rule • Kings ruled through local leaders, each of whom governed a small area of the empire • Local leader collected taxes, enforced laws, and raised troops for the army • A system of roads linked the distant parts of the empire • Messengers and merchants traveled these roads • To maintain peace, the Assyrians punished anyone who opposed them.

Assyrian Achievements • Library of Nineveh, which had more than 20,000 cuneiform tablets, which were collected across the empire – one being the Epic of Gilgamesh

Assyrian decline • As the empire grew larger, it became harder to control • The Chaldeans and the Medes saw an opportunity and joined forces • In 612 BCE, they captured and burned their capital, Nineveh • The Assyrian empire came to an end

The Chaldeans • As Assyrian was destroyed, the Chaldeans picked up the pieces • The Chaldeans formed their own empire • The Chaldeans made the old City of Babylon the capital of their new Babylonian empire • Nebuchadnezzar II was the most famous Chaldean king

Nebuchadnezzar II • Most famous • Warrior and builder • Fought the Egyptians the Jews • Took Jerusalem • Rebuilt Babylon • Architecture was believed to be amazing • The grand palace was where the Hanging Gardens were believed to be

Chaldean Culture • Admired ancient Sumerian culture, studied Sumerian language, and built temples to Sumerian gods • The Chaldeans developed a calendar based on the phases of the moon • Chaldeans were short lived • In 539 BCE, less than a century later, the Persians conquered Babylon and the Chaldean Empire ended

The Phoenicians • Small city-states like Sidon and Tyre emerged as trading cities • Although they were usually under a foreign empire, they became quite wealthy

Growth of a Trading Society • Phoenicia is located on the western end of the Fertile Crescent (today’s Lebanon) • Geographic makeup - narrow coastal plain, rugged hills and mountains • Farming was difficult and resources were limited • Turned to the sea and became excellent sailors and dominated trade in the Mediterranean and sailing to ports in Egypt, Greece, Italy, Sicily, and Spain • As trade grew, they founded colonies along their trade routes • Carthage – was one of the most famous Phoenician colonies, which later becomes quite powerful

The Phoenician Alphabet • One of the first alphabets • 22 letters, all consonants • This made writing easier • Greeks borrowed and modified it

The Fertile Crescent Empires: The Hittites