Chapter 2Chapter 2

Ancient Near East:Ancient Near East:

Peoples and EmpiresPeoples and Empires

The HebrewsThe HebrewsHebrews were a Semitic-speaking people whos tradition Hebrews were a Semitic-speaking people whos tradition concerning their origins (Old Testament)concerning their origins (Old Testament)

Descendants of Abraham moved from Mesopotamia to Descendants of Abraham moved from Mesopotamia to PalestinePalestine– Known afterwards as “Children of Israel”Known afterwards as “Children of Israel”

Drought in Palestine drove many Israelites to Egypt Drought in Palestine drove many Israelites to Egypt – where they lived well until pharaohs drove them into slavery until where they lived well until pharaohs drove them into slavery until

Moses led them out of EgyptMoses led them out of Egypt

Between 1200-1000 BC, the Israelites established Between 1200-1000 BC, the Israelites established themselves as a distinct people and established a kingdomthemselves as a distinct people and established a kingdom– Saul was 1Saul was 1stst king of the Israelites (1020-1000 BC) king of the Israelites (1020-1000 BC)– His kingdom was destroyed after disastrous struggle w/ the His kingdom was destroyed after disastrous struggle w/ the

Philistines, the tribes broke upPhilistines, the tribes broke up

David (1000-970 BC) reunited the tribes, defeated the David (1000-970 BC) reunited the tribes, defeated the Philistines and established control over all of PalestinePhilistines and established control over all of Palestine

David’s son, David’s son, SolomonSolomon (ruled 970- (ruled 970-930 BC) did even more to 930 BC) did even more to strengthen royal powerstrengthen royal power– Extended political & military Extended political & military

establishmentsestablishments– Expanded Israelites’ trade activitiesExpanded Israelites’ trade activities– Great builder (the Temple in Great builder (the Temple in

Jerusalem)Jerusalem)

The Temple was the spiritual & The Temple was the spiritual & political center of the kingdompolitical center of the kingdom– Reportedly housed the Ark of the Reportedly housed the Ark of the

CovenantCovenant

After Solomon’s death, the kingdom After Solomon’s death, the kingdom divided into 2 nations: the 10 divided into 2 nations: the 10 northern tribes remained the northern tribes remained the kingdom of Israel, 2 southern tribes kingdom of Israel, 2 southern tribes became kingdom of Judahbecame kingdom of Judah

By the end of the 9By the end of the 9thth century BC, Israel was paying century BC, Israel was paying tribute to the Assyrian empire.tribute to the Assyrian empire.– By 720 BC, the capital was destroyed and the Israelites By 720 BC, the capital was destroyed and the Israelites

were dispersed throughout the Assyrian empirewere dispersed throughout the Assyrian empire

– Judah paid tribute to Assyria, but remained independentJudah paid tribute to Assyria, but remained independent

When Nebuchadnezzar II’s Chaldean Empire conquered When Nebuchadnezzar II’s Chaldean Empire conquered Judah, Jerusalem was completely destroyed (586 BC)Judah, Jerusalem was completely destroyed (586 BC)– Many upper-class of Judah were sent to Babylonia in exile Many upper-class of Judah were sent to Babylonia in exile

(the (the Babylonian CaptivityBabylonian Captivity))

– By 538 BC, the Persians had conquered the Chaldean By 538 BC, the Persians had conquered the Chaldean Empire & the Israelites returned home & rebuilt JerusalemEmpire & the Israelites returned home & rebuilt Jerusalem

– Remained under Persian control until Alexander the Remained under Persian control until Alexander the Great’s conquest of Persia around 333 BCGreat’s conquest of Persia around 333 BC

– Judah survived, the people became know as Jews and Judah survived, the people became know as Jews and their religion was know as Judaismtheir religion was know as Judaism

Spirituality of IsraelSpirituality of IsraelEarly Israelites probably worshiped many godsEarly Israelites probably worshiped many gods

YahwehYahweh was the chief god of Israel; though many worshiped was the chief god of Israel; though many worshiped other gods as wellother gods as well– Babylonian exiles, in the 6Babylonian exiles, in the 6thth cent BC, were the first to accept cent BC, were the first to accept

Yahweh (the God of Israel) as the only GodYahweh (the God of Israel) as the only God

Chief source of information about spiritual conceptions in Israel Chief source of information about spiritual conceptions in Israel is the Hebrew Bibleis the Hebrew Bible– Focuses on one basic theme: necessity of Jews to obey God’s lawFocuses on one basic theme: necessity of Jews to obey God’s law

The Prophets (p. 35-36)The Prophets (p. 35-36)

Social PatternsSocial Patterns““Men of rank and influence” – the king’s retainers, military Men of rank and influence” – the king’s retainers, military officials, civil officials & governorsofficials, civil officials & governors– Simply servants of the king, but held privileged place in societySimply servants of the king, but held privileged place in society

““People of the land” – free people with basic civil rightsPeople of the land” – free people with basic civil rights

No merchant class, commerce carried on by foreignersNo merchant class, commerce carried on by foreigners

Family & MarriageFamily & MarriageFamily was Family was patriarchalpatriarchal– Husband/father was master of his wife and possessed power Husband/father was master of his wife and possessed power

(including life and death) over his children(including life and death) over his children– One household could contain husband, wife, married sons & their One household could contain husband, wife, married sons & their

wives and children under one roofwives and children under one roof

Under the law of Hebrew kings, kings were limited to 18 wives Under the law of Hebrew kings, kings were limited to 18 wives and citizens to 4and citizens to 4– Only kings could afford a large haremOnly kings could afford a large harem– Usually the only time a commoner would have multiple wives is to Usually the only time a commoner would have multiple wives is to

have more children or b/c the first wife bore only daughtershave more children or b/c the first wife bore only daughters

Women were highly valued, but seen as servants of father or Women were highly valued, but seen as servants of father or husbandhusband

Marriages arranged, but Hebrews did not use dowriesMarriages arranged, but Hebrews did not use dowries– The groom actually paid the bride’s father (presumably for the loss of The groom actually paid the bride’s father (presumably for the loss of

a daughter)a daughter)

Sons were prized over daughters b/c daughters would leave the Sons were prized over daughters b/c daughters would leave the home. Sons would stay and carry on the family linehome. Sons would stay and carry on the family line

Neighbors of the IsraelitesNeighbors of the IsraelitesThe Philistines attacked from The Philistines attacked from the sea and had five cities the sea and had five cities established on the Med. Coastestablished on the Med. Coast– They settled as farmers and They settled as farmers and

eventually came into conflict eventually came into conflict w the Israelitesw the Israelites

The Phoenicians were another The Phoenicians were another semitic-speaking peoplesemitic-speaking people– Major cities were Tyre, Byblos Major cities were Tyre, Byblos

& Sidon& Sidon– They became international They became international

sea traders,sea traders,– Trade stations in Spain, Sicily Trade stations in Spain, Sicily

& Sardinia& Sardinia

Most famous settlement was Most famous settlement was Carthage in North AfricaCarthage in North Africa

Best known as transmittersBest known as transmitters– Written language not Written language not

pictographs like earlier civs.pictographs like earlier civs.

– used 22 signs to represent used 22 signs to represent sounds of their speechsounds of their speech

– spelled out all words in their spelled out all words in their lang.lang.

– Passed on to Greeks Passed on to Greeks

The Assyrian EmpireThe Assyrian Empire

The Assyrian Empire rose as the Hittites were destroyed and The Assyrian Empire rose as the Hittites were destroyed and the Egyptian civilization was in declinethe Egyptian civilization was in decline

Although part of Mesopotamia, Assyria had a different terrain Although part of Mesopotamia, Assyria had a different terrain and climateand climate

For much of their history they were vassals of the kingdoms of For much of their history they were vassals of the kingdoms of Sargon & HammurabiSargon & Hammurabi

Hittite documents note the emergence of a “king of the land of Hittite documents note the emergence of a “king of the land of Assyria” around 1360Assyria” around 1360– Tiglath-Pileser ITiglath-Pileser I (1114-1076 BC) set the standard for military (1114-1076 BC) set the standard for military

brutality that future Assyrian kings aspired tobrutality that future Assyrian kings aspired to

His empire died shortly after he did; Assyrian expansion His empire died shortly after he did; Assyrian expansion would not begin again until would not begin again until Shalmaneser III Shalmaneser III (858-824 BC)(858-824 BC)– Marched west into Palestine & south into BabyloniaMarched west into Palestine & south into Babylonia

– Fighting would continue in these frontiers until the reign of Sargon II Fighting would continue in these frontiers until the reign of Sargon II (721-705 BC) establishing control over all of Mesopotamia and subduing (721-705 BC) establishing control over all of Mesopotamia and subduing PalestinePalestine

The Assyrians over extended their reach and by 605 BC the The Assyrians over extended their reach and by 605 BC the empire had fallen and gave rise to the Neo-Babylonian empireempire had fallen and gave rise to the Neo-Babylonian empire

Organization of the EmpireOrganization of the EmpireKing had absolute power, local officials answered directly to the King had absolute power, local officials answered directly to the kingking

A system of communication was so well established, a governor A system of communication was so well established, a governor (except in Egypt) could ask a question and receive an answer in a (except in Egypt) could ask a question and receive an answer in a weekweek

Assyrian MilitaryAssyrian MilitaryAt its height, the Assyrian Empire could muster an army in the At its height, the Assyrian Empire could muster an army in the hundreds of thousandshundreds of thousands– Well organized and disciplinedWell organized and disciplined– Infantry, accompanied by cavalry & horse drawn chariotsInfantry, accompanied by cavalry & horse drawn chariots– also first large scale army equipped w/ iron weaponsalso first large scale army equipped w/ iron weapons

Equally capable of guerilla tactics, open field battle, or siege Equally capable of guerilla tactics, open field battle, or siege warfarewarfare

Renowned for siege warfareRenowned for siege warfare– Siege towers, battering rams, tunnelers & if a city’s walls did not fall Siege towers, battering rams, tunnelers & if a city’s walls did not fall

from assault; the inhabitants could be starved into submissionfrom assault; the inhabitants could be starved into submission

The Neo-Babylonian EmpireThe Neo-Babylonian Empire612 BC – The Chaldean king, 612 BC – The Chaldean king, Nablopolassar (625-605 BC) joined Nablopolassar (625-605 BC) joined forces w/ the Medes to capture forces w/ the Medes to capture NinevehNineveh

His son, Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 His son, Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC) truly defeated the AssyriansBC) truly defeated the Assyrians– Under his rule, the Chaldeans Under his rule, the Chaldeans

conquered Egypt, Syria, & Palestineconquered Egypt, Syria, & Palestine– Destroyed Jerusalem, began the Destroyed Jerusalem, began the

Babylonian captivityBabylonian captivity

Great builder, responsible for the Great builder, responsible for the Ishtar Gate & the Hanging Gardens Ishtar Gate & the Hanging Gardens (one of the 7 wonders)(one of the 7 wonders)

Chaldean power was short-lived; Chaldean power was short-lived; Babylon conquered by Persians in Babylon conquered by Persians in 539 BC 539 BC

The last king, The last king, Nabonidus, was so Nabonidus, was so hated; Babylonians hated; Babylonians welcomed the welcomed the Persian invaders as Persian invaders as liberatorsliberators

The Persian EmpireThe Persian EmpirePersians were Indo-European-speaking people of southern Iran Persians were Indo-European-speaking people of southern Iran (nomads from the area of Persis)(nomads from the area of Persis)

The Achaemenid Dynasty unified the PersiansThe Achaemenid Dynasty unified the Persians– Cyrus (559-530 BC) created a powerful Persian state & rearranged Cyrus (559-530 BC) created a powerful Persian state & rearranged

the political map of the Near Eastthe political map of the Near East

550 BC – Cyrus took control over Media550 BC – Cyrus took control over Media– Media became the first Media became the first satrapysatrapy (Persian province) (Persian province)– 3 yrs later, Lydia became the next province; followed by the Greek 3 yrs later, Lydia became the next province; followed by the Greek

city-states on the Ionian coastcity-states on the Ionian coast

539 BC – captured Babylon & while placing Babylonia under a 539 BC – captured Babylon & while placing Babylonia under a satrapsatrap (governor), most officials kept their political positions (governor), most officials kept their political positions– Developed a policy of religious tolerationDeveloped a policy of religious toleration– Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem & rebuild their TempleCyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem & rebuild their Temple– Even allowed Medes to serve as military commanders in his armyEven allowed Medes to serve as military commanders in his army

Had a respect for ancient civilizations as well, borrowing building Had a respect for ancient civilizations as well, borrowing building techniques, traditions, etc. that may be of usetechniques, traditions, etc. that may be of use

Expanding the EmpireExpanding the Empire530 BC – Cyrus dies & his son Cambyses II took the throne530 BC – Cyrus dies & his son Cambyses II took the throne

526 BC – he invades Egypt w/ the aide of the Phoenician 526 BC – he invades Egypt w/ the aide of the Phoenician navynavy– Egypt becomes a satrapy w/ Memphis as it capitalEgypt becomes a satrapy w/ Memphis as it capital– 525 BC – Cambyses takes title of pharaoh525 BC – Cambyses takes title of pharaoh

522 BC - Cambyses dies, Darius becomes the Great King 522 BC - Cambyses dies, Darius becomes the Great King after civil warafter civil war

Darius (521-486 BC) sets to strengthening his empireDarius (521-486 BC) sets to strengthening his empire– Codifies Egyptian lawCodifies Egyptian law– Builds a canal to connect the Red & Mediterranean SeasBuilds a canal to connect the Red & Mediterranean Seas– Extended his eastern border to the Indus RiverExtended his eastern border to the Indus River– Advanced into Europe by making the Macedonian king a vassalAdvanced into Europe by making the Macedonian king a vassal– Revolt in the Greek Ionian city-states leads him to invade GeeceRevolt in the Greek Ionian city-states leads him to invade Geece– The invasion of Greece failed, culminating w/ the Athenian victory at The invasion of Greece failed, culminating w/ the Athenian victory at

Battle of MarathonBattle of Marathon

Governing the Empire & the Great King Governing the Empire & the Great King (45-46)(45-46)

Persian ReligionPersian Religion

Before Zoroastrianism, most Iranians worshiped the Before Zoroastrianism, most Iranians worshiped the elements (Mithra was the sun god)elements (Mithra was the sun god)

The priests that led sacrifices and tended to worshipers The priests that led sacrifices and tended to worshipers were known as Magiwere known as Magi

Zoroaster did not introduce a new god, but introduced Zoroaster did not introduce a new god, but introduced the thought that Ahuramazda was the only Godthe thought that Ahuramazda was the only God– Ahuramazda had qualities that all humans should to (good Ahuramazda had qualities that all humans should to (good

though, right, & piety)though, right, & piety)– Right is opposed by the lie, truth by falsehood, life by deathRight is opposed by the lie, truth by falsehood, life by death

The good of Ahuramazda was countered by the evil spirit The good of Ahuramazda was countered by the evil spirit of Ahrimanof Ahriman

Zoroasterianism seems to have many similarities to Zoroasterianism seems to have many similarities to basic Christian beliefsbasic Christian beliefs