Ancient Middle East and

Egypt

Section 2: Invaders, Traders, and Empire

Builders

First Empires Arise in Mesopotamia

The Fertile Crescent saw the first empires, beginning with that of Sargon.

When Hammurabi, king of Babylon, ruled Mesopotamia, he established a set of laws known as Hammurabi’s Code, which helped to unify the empire.

Conquests Bring New Empires and Ideas

With the Hittite invaders came the secret of Ironworking. After the Hittites, the Assyrians pushed into the region. pictures\Pictures of the Ancient Middle East.pptx

They were feared warriors, but Assyrian King Assurbanipal built one of the first libraries.

The Babylonians reemerged under ruler Nebuchadnezzar in 625 B.C. pictures\Ishtar Gate.pptx

The Persians Establish a Huge Empire

Babylon fell to the Persians in 539 B.C.

They built the largest empire yet known. pictures\Persian Empire.pptx

Persian ruler Darius divided the empire into provinces, which were each headed by a governor. pictures\Darius.pptx

Persian thinker Zoroaster united the empire with a religion that taught that there was only one god. pictures\Persians Pictures.pptx

Contributions of Phoenician Sea Traders

The Phoenicians spread Middle Eastern civilization as they traded and set up colonies around the Mediterranean. pictures\Phoenician Sea Traders.pptx

They developed an alphabet that became our alphabet today. pictures\Phoenician Alphabet.pptx

Review