Chapter 3: Kingdoms and Empires in the

Middle East

Section 1:Trading Peoples

• I. The Arameans– A. Settle in central Syria around 1200BC– B. Damascus—capital city– C. Controlled overland trade between Egypt

and Mesopotamia– D. Aramaic—language spoken by Arameans.

Because of their frequent trade trips across Fertile Crescent, it soon became dominant language of all people living in Fertile Crescent

– E. Cultural Diffusion

II. The Phoenicians• A. Settled into northern part of Canaan—today

Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan• B. Philistines were also in Canaan• C. Phoenicians were sea traders• D. City-States in Phoenicia—Tyre, Byblos, Sidan,

Berytus---formed a confederation• E. Expert navigators—using stars and sun• F. New Methods of trade developed—bills of sale,

contracts.

• G. Alphabet—developed to keep track of trade

records. 1000BC 22 consonants. • H. Colonies—settlements of Phoenician emigrants

used to protect and re-supply their ships. Carthage

III. The Lydians• A. Lived in Asia Minor• B. Wealthy kingdom famous for its rich gold

deposits.• C. Most traders still used barter system at this time.

Goods for goods.

• D. Lydians set prices and developed a system of

money. Using coins. Idea soon spread everywhere.

Chapter 3 Section 2:Early Israelites

I. The Land of Canann• A. Israelites—group living in Canaan.

Adhered to monotheism –an all powerful God who was revealed through the prophets- holy messengers.

• B. Abraham-father/founder of Israelites. Around 1900BC, Abraham settled in Canaan at the commandment of God. Makes covenant, or agreement, with God at this time. “I will make of you a great nation.” Promised Land

• C. Bible is the record of the ancient Israelites.• D. Israelites lived in Canaan and shared land

with Phoenicians and Philistines.

II. The Exodus From Egypt• A. Jacob—grandson of Abraham (aka Israel)

he will have 12 sons• B. 12 Tribes-each son led a family group or

tribe. • C. Jacob moves Israelites to Egypt to escape

famine. Live peacefully for several generations until the Egyptians enslave them.

• D. 1200s BC, Moses will lead people out of Egypt—called the Exodus. Into the Sinai desert. God renews covenant made with Abraham. God also gives Moses the Ten Commandments.

III. Settling the Land

• A. Joshua lead Israelites back into Canaan.

• B. Spend next 200 years fighting for land—Philistines and Canaanites.

• C. The Fighting Judges- lack of unity among 12 tribes is why it took so long to gain land.

• D. David’s Monarchy—Israelites will unite under one king—Saul (1020 BC). David(1012 BC) will rule for next 40 years. Jerusalem becomes capital city. King Solomon (961 BC) taxed people too much. Upon his death the 10 northern tribes revolt:– Kingdom of Israel—10 northern tribes– Kingdom of Judah—2 southern tribes

IV. Exile and Return • A. Although split, 12 tribes continue to share

religion• B. Weak and Open to invasion when you split

—722 BC Israel will be defeated by Assyrians. 586 BC Judah defeated by Chaldeans.

• C. Israelites stated to be called Jews during this time.

• D. 539 BC—Persians defeat Chaldeans and allow Jews to return to Judah.

• E. Torah first five books of Bible—holy writings of Jews

• F. Diaspora Greek word meaning ‘scattered’ Came to represent Jewish people who were scattered away from their homeland.

Chapter 3 Section 3:Empire Builders

I. The Hittites(2000-1200BC)

• A. Around 2000BC—Hittites conquer Asia Minor

• B. Assemble a fearsome army—metal weapons, two person chariots

• C. Conquer all of Asia Minor, Syria, and part of Mesopotamia

• D. Legal Code—emphasized payments for damages over punishments

II. The Assyrians(900-612 BC)

• A. Started in northern Mesopotamia

• B. Powerful Army—most lethal fighting force in Middle East. First to organize their army—foot soldiers, charioteers, cavalry. Iron weapons—battering rams.

• C. Conquered People were treated very cruelly—burned cities, tortured and killed innocents, resettled conquered people, heavy taxes on survivors.

• D. The Assyrian Empire-vast empire was controlled by dividing it up into provinces. Each headed by a governor who was directly responsible to the king

• E. Nineveh- capital city

• F. Network of roads built

• G. Chaldeans will defeat them

Assyrian Cruelty

III. The Chaldeans(612-539 BC)

• A. Chaldeans will soon dominate the entire fertile crescent.

• B. aka- The New Babylonians or Neo Babylonians. They were descendents of Hammurabi’s Babylonian empire of the 1700’s BC

• C. King Nebuchadnezzar—greatest ruler of Chaldeans…height of power and glory

• D. Rebuilt city of Baylon—Hanging Gardens of Babylon

• E. Astrology—studied stars and movement. Lays foundation for astronomy.

IV. The Persians

• A. Settled into area of present day Iran

• B. Conquests—Cyrus II built strong army. By 525 BC, Persians controlled all of middle east. Empire stretched from Nile River to Indus River (3,000 miles) and ruled more than 50 million people.

• C. Darius’s Empire—Darius I (522-486BC). Divided empire into provinces. Satraps provincial governors to rule each province. “eyes and ears of the king.”-inspectors who made unannounced tours of the provinces and reported directly to the king on the activities of gov. officials.

• D. Unlike the Assyrians, the Persians were tolerant of conquered peoples. Allowed them to keep their religions, languages, and laws.

• E. Persians won the loyalty of the conquered people by respecting their local customs.

• F. Persepolis—most magnificent city in empire• G. Royal Road—1,500 miles of road. Every 14 miles

was a station for food, water, supplies. • H. Religion—strict moral code that stressed bravery

and honesty. Religion first worshipped many gods• I. Zoraster—570 BC. God of good and god of evil.

Final judgment.