Kingdoms and Empires Kingdoms and Empires in the Middle Eastin the Middle East

Cultural Diffusion in the Middle East

Trading PeoplesTrading PeoplesThe Aramaens: settled in Syria @ 1200

B.C.◦ Est. Damascus as the capital city◦ Controlled overland trade (Egypt &

Mesopotamia)◦ Aramaic became the trade language of the

Med.The Phoenicians: Settled in Canaan

◦ Known as Palestine, “land of the Philistines”◦ Controlled the overseas trade in the Med.

Sea◦ Used an alphabet to keep track of records◦ Set up colonies and trading posts

The Lydians: Lived in Asia Minor (Turkey)◦ Prosperous lifestyles◦ Replaced barter system with a money system

The Early IsraelitesThe Early IsraelitesLived in Canaan

(Abraham)Monotheistic

◦Worshiped one God (Yahweh)

A divine covenant w/ Abraham

Lived as nomadic shepherds

Jacob and 12 sons◦ Joseph was sold into

slavery◦Fled to Egypt◦Later enslaved

The Early IsraelitesThe Early IsraelitesMoses and the Exodus from Egypt

◦Commemorated Passover◦The Ten Commandments & “Promised

Land”Settling in Canaan: Joshua led them

into Canaan◦Fought against the Canaanites and

Philistines◦ Judges led the Twelve Tribes of Israel

Saul (r. 1020-1012 B.C.): first Israelite king

David (r. 1012-961 B.C.)◦Defeated Goliath◦Set up the capital in Jerusalem –

economic prosperitySolomon (r. 961-922 B.C.)

◦Built the Temple in Jerusalem◦Very prosperous economically

Early IsraelitesEarly IsraelitesIsrael’s Struggle

◦ 10 northern tribes broke away from the southern 2

◦ The 2 southern tribes became Judah (Jews)Exile of Kingdoms

◦ Assyrians and Chaldeans invaded and enslaved Israel

◦ Exile in Babylon – prophets (Jeremiah) rose up

Rebuilding Jerusalem◦ 539 B.C. the Persians (Cyrus) conquered the

Chaldeans◦ Darius allowed the Jews to return to

Jerusalem to rebuild◦ The Torah was organized (first 5 books of

the O.T.)◦ The Diaspora (the scattering) began

Lasting Legacy of the Lasting Legacy of the IsraelitesIsraelites

The Jews view on occurrences◦ Everything happened according to God’s

purposeBelieve that humans have an infinite

worthHumans are accountable for what

goes on in the world b/c we work in a partnership with God

Empire BuildersEmpire Builders

The AssyriansThe AssyriansLived in northern MesopotamiaMost lethal and ruthless military in the

Middle East◦ Organized the military into different

groups◦ Fought with iron weapons

650 BC: had created an Empire (capital – Nineveh)◦ Divided the empire into provinces◦ Built a sophisticated system of roads

612 B.C. – the Chaldeans defeated the Assyrians

The Chaldeans(New The Chaldeans(New Babylonians)Babylonians)

Descendents of Hammurabi’s Empire

Nebuchadnezzar – the most powerful king◦Expanded the empire to include

Syria/CanaanStudied astrology: laid foundation

for astronomyDecline after Nebuchadnezzar

◦weak kings + poor harvest + slow trade539 B.C. – Persians seized Babylon

The PersiansThe PersiansSettled in Iran in 2000s B.C.Cyrus II (540s B.C.)

◦ Developed a strong military◦ Conquered the Medes (expanded the

empire)◦ Took over land in Asia Minor (Lydia/Greek

city-states)◦ 525 B.C. – Cambyses conquered Egypt◦ Persian Empire covered 3,000 miles & 50

million peopleDarius I (522-486 B.C.)

◦ Empire’s best organizer (satraps and provinces)

◦ “Eyes and Ears of the King” inspectors◦ Brought artisans in to build Persepolis

The PersiansThe PersiansPersian Empire

◦Treated conquered people fairly◦ Improved the network of roads

Persian Religion and Culture◦Strict moral code◦Polytheistic until 500s B.C.◦Zoroaster: (Ahura Mazda & Ahriman)

Good vs. Evil – Good will win in the end

Fall of Persia◦Darius waged war with the Greeks for

control of Asia Minor◦480 B.C. Xerxes lost to the Greeks