Transcript Document 7207421

The Hittites created their empire
between 1600-1200 B.C. (BCE)
*They were the first people to learn to
smelt (separate metal from ore) iron.
There were eventually weakened and
defeated by the Sea Peoples.
The end of the Hittite kingdom allowed
for the rise of other people in this region
Government
 Ruled by a king
 Heavily fortified
city walls
 Written laws
show
Babylonian
influence
Economy
Link between Mesopotamia and western
Asia
Had monopoly on Armenian and European
metals for hundreds of years
Developed iron for tools and weapons
Wealth from trade of gold, iron, lead, and
silver
Iron working - Hittites were the first to
make wide use of iron. They invented a
furnace which made iron production
easier. They refused to trade their iron
tools & weapons and tried to keep the
process a secret
• Hittites conquered what is now Turkey and clashed
with Egypt. In 1296 BC they signed the first known
peace treaty with Egypt.
• They built great fortifications using natural defenses.
Their art adorned their buildings.
• Hittite Law - Their laws also controlled their
economy by setting prices and wages. Laws were
less severe and more humane. Capital punishment
(death) was reserved for major crimes. Premeditation
was taken into account and fines were set.
• Borrowed many gods and goddesses from other
cultures.
Hattusas:
Capital of the Hittites
The ancient Hittite city of Hattusha, in Turkey.
The Hittite capital city of Hattusha
Hattusas – Lion’s Gate
The Hittite’s Three
Man Chariot. Two
archers and a driver
in each chariot made
this a fearsome
offensive weapon.
The Battle of Kadesh
Ramses II at Kadesh
Treaty of Kadesh
Hittite Writing
A Balance of Power
The Assyrian Empire
Assyrian Military Power
Assyrian
soldiers
carrying away
the enemy’s
gods.
The Assyrian Empire (1300-612 BCE)
• Became skilled in chariot
warfare and began to conquer
neighbors
• Reign of Sennacherib (705-681
BCE)
• The Assyrian capital city:
Nineveh
• Palace Library
• Assyrians known for brutality in
warfare
• Only Mesopotamian civilization
to submit to a queen
New Babylonia (612-539 BCE)
• Medes and Chaldeans
defeat the Assyrians in 612
BCE
• Most famous Babylonian
ruler was Nebuchadnezzar
• The defeat of Belshazzar by
the Persians in 539 BCE
Babylon under the Chaldeans
New Babylonia
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The ancient city of Babylon
The Ishtar Gate
The Hanging Gardens
Babylonian astronomical
achievements
• Not “astrologers”
• Babylonian court
• astronomers & their diaries
Nebuchadnezzar II’s Babylon
Ishtar
Gate
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Hebrews/Israel
• Adopted idea of
monotheism
• One God - Yaweh
• Old Testament
• 10 commandments
• God demands
obedience and in turn,
protects his people
Solomon’s Temple
 Located in Jerusalem
 Center of Jewish Religion
 Housed the 10 Commandments
and the Ark of the Covenant
Diaspora – the forced removal of
Jews from their homeland
• Hebrews migrated from Palestine due to famine
and were enslaved in Egypt – freed by Moses
according to Bible
• Settled in Canaan and set up kingdom of Israel
• Israel split up by Assyrians and Babylonians –
many Jews were exiled, this was the first Diaspora
(586 BC)
Jewish Captives:
c
8
BCE
Persian Empire
• Conquered huge empire by 500 BC
• Built roads, “pony express” communication
system
• Lots of cultural diffusion
Persian Empire (539 BCE on)
• Allowed subjects to
practice native customs
and religions—Cyrus the
Great allowed the Jews
to return to Jerusalem
• Persians gave the Ancient
Near East political unity
and cultural diversity
• The rule of Cyrus the Great
The Persian Empire (cont.)
• Later Rulers: Darius & son Xerxes
• Efficient administration of a huge
empire
• Persian Road system
• Aramaic language
• Wealthy and Distant Royal
Absolutism
• Early Persian Religion
• Introduction of Zoroastrianism
(circa 600 BCE)
Phoenician Sea Routes
A Phoenician Bireme Ship
Colonized much of the Mediterranean
shore, Established trading colonies and
spreading their culture. The greatest
colony was Carthage.
From the Mediterranean, the Phoenicians
moved westward, eventually discovering
the Atlantic Ocean.
They rounded Africa, landed in England
and Ireland and built many cities in
Western Europe and on the Atlantic coast
of Africa.
Became legendary traders - their wares
included works of art, textiles, delicate
glassware, precious stones and perfume.
The “Royal Purple” Dye
Tyre was the major region for the purple dye
industry.
The dye was carefully extracted, a few drops
at a time from the murex, a shell-fish found
in the waters off of Tyre and Sidon.
The dye was so expensive that only the rich
could afford to buy the dyed fabric.
It is because of this Phoenician fabric that
we still use the expression "born in the
purple" to mean one who is born rich.
Phoenician City of Byblos:
“Home of the Alphabet”
Phoenician Alphabet
Carthage:
Phoenicia’s Mightiest Colony