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Post-Mesopotamia. Successor states and Empires in the Middle East after 2000 BCE. Thesis. Growing levels of interaction in the Middle East, 3000 to 300 BCE due to the geopolitical needs of big empires existing so close together.
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Post-Mesopotamia Successor states and Empires in the Middle East after 2000 BCE
Thesis • Growing levels of interaction in the Middle East, 3000 to 300 BCE due to the geopolitical needs of big empires existing so close together. • Common language -Akkadian and common written script – Cuneiform - encouraged growth in • Trade, diplomatic relations, warfare. • Religions, goods, and people crossed borders, and increasingly shared cultures and history.
The Hittites • Empire of Indo-European Peoples
Hittite Culture • First written example of Indo-European Language • After 1450 BCE • Defeated Egypt’s Ramses II in 1269 • Iron Smelting Technology • Law: restitution & compensation rather than retaliation
New Kingdom Era Egypt Territorial gains after ending Hyksos rule 1532 BCE Control of Nubia gave them access to gold and timber Conducted wars of expansion against the Hittites in Syria Traded with all kingdoms in the region
The Fall of Empires • Invasion of the “sea peoples” @ 1250 BC Pharaoh Ramses III Victory over the sea peoples At MedinetHabu
Phoenicians • Mediterranean coast of Syria • Traders, seafarers • Colonies: Cadiz, Carthage • Created the forerunner of the alphabet • replaced pictographs with alphabetic system • Developed shipbuilding technology
Hebrews Abraham - Monotheist lived @1800 BCE 538 BCE Cyrus of Persia releases Hebrews, who return to Israel • They brought with them new “dualistic” ideas
Assyrian Empire 911- 605 BCE • Conquest empire • Capital at Ashur • Ashur is also at the head of the trade route into Anatolia • Exported textiles & tin • Imported silver
Persian Empire from 550 • Persia united by Achaemenidkings • Cyrus the Great creates empire 550 BCE • Persian government modeled after Assyrian • Royal Road
Zoroastrianism • Ahura Mazda: a single god • Dualism: the world is a battleground between good and evil • Concept of sin • Must choose sides in this battle