Phoenicians, Lydians, & Hebrews

The PhoeniciansThe Phoenicians3000 BC – First settlements1100 BC – After domination by Egyptians & Hittites

Phoenician cities gain independence 814 BC - Carthage founded 790+/-BC –Conquered by Assyria 612 BC – Falls to Chaldeans (Nebuchadnezzar) 600BC - Phoenician seafarers circumnavigate Africa 539 BC – Conquered by Persia 333 BC – Conquered by Alexander the Great 64 BC - Conquered by Romans, term Phoenicia no

longer used

The PhoeniciansThe PhoeniciansGovernment – Independent City States, loosely

united

Achievements – - Superb Traders

Developed colonies across the MediterraneanCarthage, Cadiz, Sicily, Sardinia, etc.

Major natural resource –Lebanon CedarSkilled artisans in Gold & SilverInvented art of glassblowingFrom a shellfish developed a purple dye whosecolor became known as “Royal Purple”Exported wine, linen, olive oil, & dried fish

The PhoeniciansThe Phoenicians

Achievements – cont’d

Culture: Imitated other cultures (cultural diffusion) Patterned customs & gov’t after Egyptians & Babylonians RELIGION: Believed in no afterlife, were polytheistic

It was the model for Western alphabets: adopted by the Greeks trade spread it through Mediterranean area later copied by Romans

It was the model for Western alphabets: adopted by the Greeks trade spread it through Mediterranean area later copied by Romans

Located on the West coast of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey)

Known as the first people to coin money (around 600BC)

Used barter system previously

So, why is this important?So, why is this important?

So What!?So What!?

Ancestors of modern day Israeli’s and Jew’sFirst great leader Abraham born in SumerAbraham lead his people to Canaan (no natural defenses, easily conqueredDescendants of Abraham (Jacob, Joseph) moved into Egypt (Land of Goshen)Fell out of favor with Egyptians, Moses lead Hebrews through wilderness (Sinai Peninsula)Finally back to Canaan

While in the wilderness . . .

Moses received the Ten Commandments

Moral laws governing moral conduct

Ethical monotheism

What other written code for behavior have we studied?What are the similarities?Differences?

What other written code for behavior have we studied?What are the similarities?Differences?

Government: Monarchy –Saul was the first King Subdivisions – Twelve Tribes – determined by heredity Capital – Jerusalem (United Kingdom) King David – Succeeded Saul, made Jerusalem capital,

established dynasty King Solomon – son of David, built royal palace, great Temple

After Solomon’s reign Kingdom divided when 10 tribes revoltedNorthern Kingdom – Israel; Capital - SamariaSouthern Kingdom – Judah: Capital - Jerusalem

722 BC- Assyrians conquered Samaria, Hebrews notslaughtered were deported to Assyria as slaves

587 BC – Chaldeans, under Nebuchadnezzar, conqueredJudah, destroyed the capital, including the Temple, and enslaved the Hebrews.

538 BC – Persian King Cyrus conquers Chaldeans, allowsHebrews to return to Israel/Judah

Old Testament:

Book of religious beliefs (creation of the world, special mission of Hebrews, history, etc.)

TORAH- First 5 books of Old Testament, lists Hebrew code of laws. Named for Moses, called MOSIAC LAW.

“Eye for an Eye” but with greater value for human life.