The Ancient Near East-2 Mrs. Cox World History Paisley IB.

The Ancient Near The Ancient Near East-2East-2

Mrs. CoxMrs. Cox

World HistoryWorld History

Paisley IBPaisley IB

VocabularyVocabulary

1. Fertile Crescent1. Fertile Crescent 2. Mesopotamia2. Mesopotamia 3. ziggurat3. ziggurat 4. city-state4. city-state 5. polytheism5. polytheism 6. dynasty6. dynasty 7. cuneiform7. cuneiform 8. Sargon8. Sargon 9. Hammurabi9. Hammurabi

VocabularyVocabulary

10. Indo-Europeans10. Indo-Europeans 11. steppes11. steppes 12. Nebuchadnezzar II12. Nebuchadnezzar II 13. Judaism13. Judaism 14. Torah14. Torah 15. Abraham15. Abraham 16. covenant16. covenant 17. patriarch17. patriarch

VocabularyVocabulary 18. Moses18. Moses 19. Exodus19. Exodus 20. Diaspora20. Diaspora 21. monotheism21. monotheism 22. Cyrus the Great22. Cyrus the Great 23. Darius I23. Darius I 24. satraps24. satraps 25. Xerxes25. Xerxes 26. Zoroaster26. Zoroaster 27. dualism27. dualism

QuestionsQuestions

1. What problem did farmers face due to nearby 1. What problem did farmers face due to nearby rivers?rivers?

2. What was the name of the religious beliefs of 2. What was the name of the religious beliefs of the Sumerians and what does the word mean?the Sumerians and what does the word mean?

3. Name the areas in which Sumerians 3. Name the areas in which Sumerians produced cultural achievement.produced cultural achievement.

4. How did social hierarchy develop in Sumer?4. How did social hierarchy develop in Sumer? 5. Why did Sumer’s city-states weaken? Who 5. Why did Sumer’s city-states weaken? Who

were the rulers who came to power as a result?were the rulers who came to power as a result?

QuestionsQuestions

6. What did the Indo-European tribes have 6. What did the Indo-European tribes have in common?in common?

7. How were the Assyrians different from 7. How were the Assyrians different from the Sumerians?the Sumerians?

8. Why did Nebuchadnezzar build the 8. Why did Nebuchadnezzar build the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, according to Hanging Gardens of Babylon, according to legend?legend?

9. In what ways did many Phoenicians 9. In what ways did many Phoenicians earn a living? Why was this a good career earn a living? Why was this a good career for a Phoenician?for a Phoenician?

QuestionsQuestions 10. What was the name of the people that 10. What was the name of the people that

appeared in Southwest Asia sometime appeared in Southwest Asia sometime between 2000 and 1500 BC?between 2000 and 1500 BC?

11. Where did the Hebrews move?11. Where did the Hebrews move? 12. Why was Moses an important Hebrew 12. Why was Moses an important Hebrew

leader?leader? 13. Name at least three Hebrew kings and 13. Name at least three Hebrew kings and

which one made Jerusalem the capital of his which one made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom?kingdom?

14. What are the beliefs of Judaism? Where 14. What are the beliefs of Judaism? Where would someone find out what the beliefs would someone find out what the beliefs mean?mean?

QuestionsQuestions

15. Who led the Persian revolt? What places 15. Who led the Persian revolt? What places did he conquer?did he conquer?

16. How did Darius change the Persian 16. How did Darius change the Persian Empire?Empire?

17. List the teachings of Zoroaster. What did 17. List the teachings of Zoroaster. What did he think people should do?he think people should do?

18. Why did Zoroastrianism almost disappear?18. Why did Zoroastrianism almost disappear? 19. Name the Persian emperors who 19. Name the Persian emperors who

encouraged cultures to blend. How was this encouraged cultures to blend. How was this helpful to the Persian empire?helpful to the Persian empire?

Geography Promotes Geography Promotes CivilizationCivilization

The Fertile Crescent is found The Fertile Crescent is found between the Mediterranean Sea and between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf in Southwest Asia. the Persian Gulf in Southwest Asia. With the Fertile Crescent, an area With the Fertile Crescent, an area called Mesopotamia developed. It called Mesopotamia developed. It was home to the world’s first was home to the world’s first civilization.civilization.

Geography Promotes Geography Promotes CivilizationCivilization

As early as 3500 BC people farmed As early as 3500 BC people farmed grains in Mesopotamia’s silt, rich soil left grains in Mesopotamia’s silt, rich soil left behind when the Tigris and Euphrates behind when the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flooded every spring. In time, rivers flooded every spring. In time, people learned to control the rivers’ people learned to control the rivers’ flooding and store rainwater to use flooding and store rainwater to use during the hot , dry summers. As a result, during the hot , dry summers. As a result, food was plentiful. Villages grew larger food was plentiful. Villages grew larger and governments formed. Slowly, a and governments formed. Slowly, a civilization emerged.civilization emerged.

SumerSumer

Sumerians developed the first Sumerians developed the first civilization. Their first large cities civilization. Their first large cities began to appear by 4000 BC. Each began to appear by 4000 BC. Each Sumerian city had structures made Sumerian city had structures made of mud bricks and large pyramid-of mud bricks and large pyramid-shaped temple called a ziggurat to shaped temple called a ziggurat to honor its chief god.honor its chief god.

SumerSumer

Sumerians developed the first Sumerians developed the first civilization. Their first large cities civilization. Their first large cities began to appear by 4000 BC. Each began to appear by 4000 BC. Each Sumerian city had structures made Sumerian city had structures made of mud bricks and a large pyramid-of mud bricks and a large pyramid-shaped temple called a ziggurat to shaped temple called a ziggurat to honor its chief god.honor its chief god.

SumerSumer

Over time, each Sumerian city and its Over time, each Sumerian city and its land formed a city-state, a political unit land formed a city-state, a political unit with its own government. Polytheism, with its own government. Polytheism, the worship of many gods, shaped the worship of many gods, shaped Sumerian life. The Sumerians believed Sumerian life. The Sumerians believed that they had to keep the gods and that they had to keep the gods and goddesses happy so they would bring goddesses happy so they would bring the people rich harvests instead of the people rich harvests instead of problems like flooding. As a result, problems like flooding. As a result, priests held a higher status in society, priests held a higher status in society, often governing the city-states.often governing the city-states.

SumerSumer

In time, the city-states started to In time, the city-states started to fight more for land and water. War fight more for land and water. War chief’s began to rule as kings. Often, chief’s began to rule as kings. Often, a king passed his leadership on to a king passed his leadership on to family members, forming a dynasty. family members, forming a dynasty.

Sumerian CultureSumerian Culture

The Sumerians produced great The Sumerians produced great cultural achievements. Scribes kept cultural achievements. Scribes kept records, wrote about laws and records, wrote about laws and grammar, and created works of grammar, and created works of literature in a writing system called literature in a writing system called cuneiform. With the ability to record cuneiform. With the ability to record events, humankind moved from events, humankind moved from prehistory into the historical age.prehistory into the historical age.


Sumerians also made advancements in Sumerians also made advancements in math, science, and the arts. Their math math, science, and the arts. Their math system was based on the number 60. system was based on the number 60. Because of this, even today we divide an Because of this, even today we divide an hour into 60 minutes and a circle into hour into 60 minutes and a circle into 360 degrees. The Sumerians also 360 degrees. The Sumerians also invented the wheel and the plow and invented the wheel and the plow and learned to use bronze to make stronger learned to use bronze to make stronger tools and weapons. They even built tools and weapons. They even built sewer systems and performed medical sewer systems and performed medical surgeries.surgeries.


In addition to architecture and In addition to architecture and sculpture, Sumerian artists created sculpture, Sumerian artists created engraved stone cylinders that when engraved stone cylinders that when rolled over wet clay created a seal to rolled over wet clay created a seal to serve as a signature or to show serve as a signature or to show ownership. They traded with other ownership. They traded with other groups to obtain materials. It was groups to obtain materials. It was through trade that a social hierarchy, through trade that a social hierarchy, or ranking, developed.or ranking, developed.


At the top were the kings, priests, At the top were the kings, priests, and their principal agents. Then and their principal agents. Then came large landowners and wealthy came large landowners and wealthy merchants, followed by the majority merchants, followed by the majority of Sumerians who worked as of Sumerians who worked as craftspeople, farmers, and laborers. craftspeople, farmers, and laborers. At the bottom of the ranking system At the bottom of the ranking system were the slaves, many of whom had were the slaves, many of whom had been captured during battles.been captured during battles.


Men held political power and made Men held political power and made laws while women took care of the laws while women took care of the home and children. Some upper-class home and children. Some upper-class women received educations and women received educations and served as priestesses in the temples.served as priestesses in the temples.

Empires in MesopotamiaEmpires in Mesopotamia

Frequent warfare weakened Sumer’s Frequent warfare weakened Sumer’s city-states. Sargon, ruler of the city-states. Sargon, ruler of the Akkadians, was the first to use a Akkadians, was the first to use a permanent army. This army helped him permanent army. This army helped him to create the world’s first empire, a to create the world’s first empire, a land that includes different kingdoms land that includes different kingdoms and people under one rule. The and people under one rule. The Akkadian Empire stretched from the Akkadian Empire stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf.Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf.


After Sargon’s empire fell, one hundred After Sargon’s empire fell, one hundred years of disorder followed. As several years of disorder followed. As several tribes battles for Mesopotamia, one tribes battles for Mesopotamia, one tribe, the Amorites, settled in Babylon. tribe, the Amorites, settled in Babylon. Hammurabi, their leader, was a brilliant Hammurabi, their leader, was a brilliant warrior. He brought all of Mesopotamia warrior. He brought all of Mesopotamia into his Babylonian Empire. During his into his Babylonian Empire. During his rule, he wrote Hammurabi’s Code. rule, he wrote Hammurabi’s Code.


The code contains 282 laws dealing The code contains 282 laws dealing with a variety of crimes. Now people with a variety of crimes. Now people knew what kind of behavior was knew what kind of behavior was considered criminal. Upon his death, considered criminal. Upon his death, Babylonian power declined. With two Babylonian power declined. With two centuries the empire had ended.centuries the empire had ended.

2-3 The Hittites2-3 The Hittites

After the fall of the Babylonian Empire, After the fall of the Babylonian Empire, Indo-European tribes invaded Indo-European tribes invaded Mesopotamia. Speaking related languages, Mesopotamia. Speaking related languages, the tribes likely traveled from the steppes, the tribes likely traveled from the steppes, or arid grasslands, north of the Black Sea.or arid grasslands, north of the Black Sea.

One of these tribes was the Hittites. One of these tribes was the Hittites. Around 2000 BC, they conquered the Around 2000 BC, they conquered the surrounding people to build a strong surrounding people to build a strong empire in Asia Minor, which is now Turkey.empire in Asia Minor, which is now Turkey.

The HittitesThe Hittites

They used iron, not bronze, to make They used iron, not bronze, to make better weapons, becoming the first better weapons, becoming the first people in the region to master iron people in the region to master iron making techniques. They also making techniques. They also improved the horse-drawn war improved the horse-drawn war chariot, making it lighter, quicker, chariot, making it lighter, quicker, and able to hold an extra man. Their and able to hold an extra man. Their culture was a blend of their own and culture was a blend of their own and those around them. those around them.

The HittitesThe Hittites

For example, they used Sumerian For example, they used Sumerian cuneiform to write their own cuneiform to write their own language. The Hittites sacked language. The Hittites sacked Babylon around 1595 BC. The empire Babylon around 1595 BC. The empire lasted until about 1200 BC, when it lasted until about 1200 BC, when it fell to powerful raiders known as the fell to powerful raiders known as the Sea Peoples.Sea Peoples.

The Assyrians and the The Assyrians and the ChaldeansChaldeans

The next group to rise to power was the The next group to rise to power was the Assyrians. A fierce warrior society, the Assyrians. A fierce warrior society, the Assyrians had chariots and iron tools, Assyrians had chariots and iron tools, plus a well armed cavalry. They briefly plus a well armed cavalry. They briefly gained power in the 1300s BC, lost it, gained power in the 1300s BC, lost it, then regained their strength when they then regained their strength when they built an empire around 900 BC. In time, built an empire around 900 BC. In time, the Assyrians used their military might the Assyrians used their military might to control all of Mesopotamia and parts to control all of Mesopotamia and parts of Asia Minor and Egypt.of Asia Minor and Egypt.

The Assyrians and The The Assyrians and The ChaldeansChaldeans

They used siege warfare to take over They used siege warfare to take over cities by digging beneath city walls to cities by digging beneath city walls to weaken them or suing battering rams to weaken them or suing battering rams to pound through them. To keep pound through them. To keep conquered people from rebelling, the conquered people from rebelling, the Assyrians spread fear by killing or Assyrians spread fear by killing or maiming their captives. In some cases, maiming their captives. In some cases, however, they kept groups from however, they kept groups from rebelling by splitting them up and rebelling by splitting them up and resettling them.resettling them.


Roads linked the vast Assyrian Roads linked the vast Assyrian empire. Kings ruled through local empire. Kings ruled through local leadership and harsh punishment for leadership and harsh punishment for rebels. In spite of this brutality, rebels. In spite of this brutality, Assyrian culture produced great Assyrian culture produced great achievements such as the library in achievements such as the library in the capital city of Nineveh, which the capital city of Nineveh, which housed more than 20,000 cuneiform housed more than 20,000 cuneiform tablets.tablets.


As the Assyrians power declined, the As the Assyrians power declined, the Chaldeans formed an empire with the Chaldeans formed an empire with the old city of Babylon as its capital. King old city of Babylon as its capital. King Nebuchadnezzar II built a grand palace Nebuchadnezzar II built a grand palace there. It is said to have housed the there. It is said to have housed the Hanging Gardens, one of the seven Hanging Gardens, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. wonders of the ancient world. According to legend, he built this According to legend, he built this magnificent structure for his wife, who magnificent structure for his wife, who missed the mountains and forests of missed the mountains and forests of her birthplace.her birthplace.


Nebuchadnezzar also built numerous Nebuchadnezzar also built numerous palaces and temples, including an palaces and temples, including an immense multistoried ziggurat, in immense multistoried ziggurat, in Babylon in 539, the Chaldean empire Babylon in 539, the Chaldean empire ended, less than 100 years after ended, less than 100 years after rising to power.rising to power.

The PhoeniciansThe Phoenicians

While great empires rose and fell, While great empires rose and fell, smaller states emerged in Phoenicia smaller states emerged in Phoenicia in western Asia at the western end of in western Asia at the western end of the Fertile Crescent along the the Fertile Crescent along the Mediterranean Sea in present-day Mediterranean Sea in present-day Lebanon. Wealthy city-states such as Lebanon. Wealthy city-states such as Sidon and Tyre become centers for Sidon and Tyre become centers for trade.trade.


Phoenicians could not easily farm the Phoenicians could not easily farm the rugged hills and mountains of their rugged hills and mountains of their homeland, so they turned to trade homeland, so they turned to trade for their livelihood. Many became for their livelihood. Many became expert sailors who traveled to expert sailors who traveled to faraway ports. Along the way, they faraway ports. Along the way, they founded colonies such as Carthage, founded colonies such as Carthage, which became a powerful city on the which became a powerful city on the Mediterranean coast of north Africa.Mediterranean coast of north Africa.


While exporting valuable goods While exporting valuable goods brought the city-states wealth, the brought the city-states wealth, the Phoenicians’ greatest achievement was Phoenicians’ greatest achievement was their alphabet. As traders traveled from their alphabet. As traders traveled from port to port, more people began to use port to port, more people began to use the alphabet. The Greeks modified the the alphabet. The Greeks modified the Phoenician alphabet for their own Phoenician alphabet for their own alphabet, which is the ancestor of the alphabet, which is the ancestor of the one we use to write English today.one we use to write English today.

2-3 The Early Hebrews2-3 The Early Hebrews

The Hebrews ancestors of the people The Hebrews ancestors of the people called Jews, appeared in Southwest Asia called Jews, appeared in Southwest Asia between 2000 and 1500 BC. Judaism is between 2000 and 1500 BC. Judaism is the religion of the Hebrews. Accounts of the religion of the Hebrews. Accounts of their early history form the Torah, the their early history form the Torah, the most sacred text of Judaism. The Torah most sacred text of Judaism. The Torah and other writings became the Hebrew and other writings became the Hebrew Bible, which also appears as the Old Bible, which also appears as the Old Testament within the Christian Bible.Testament within the Christian Bible.

The Early HebrewsThe Early Hebrews

The Torah tells about a man named The Torah tells about a man named Abraham. According to the Torah, God Abraham. According to the Torah, God made a covenant, or promise, to lead made a covenant, or promise, to lead Abraham and the rest of the Hebrews to a Abraham and the rest of the Hebrews to a new land where his people would form a new land where his people would form a mighty nation. Later Hebrews considered mighty nation. Later Hebrews considered Abraham their patriarch, or ancestral Abraham their patriarch, or ancestral “father” because in Canaan, his grandson “father” because in Canaan, his grandson Jacob had 12 sons. Each of them Jacob had 12 sons. Each of them established a tribe. Later, all Hebrews could established a tribe. Later, all Hebrews could trace their roots to one of these tribes.trace their roots to one of these tribes.


Still later, some Hebrews moved to Egypt, Still later, some Hebrews moved to Egypt, where the pharaoh made them slaves. where the pharaoh made them slaves. According to the Torah, God told a Hebrew According to the Torah, God told a Hebrew leader named Moses to demand the leader named Moses to demand the Hebrews’ freedom. Around 1200 BC, after a Hebrews’ freedom. Around 1200 BC, after a series of plagues struck Egypt, the pharaoh series of plagues struck Egypt, the pharaoh finally agreed. The journey of the Hebrews finally agreed. The journey of the Hebrews out of Egypt led by Moses is called the out of Egypt led by Moses is called the Exodus. Jews today still celebrate the Exodus. Jews today still celebrate the Exodus during the Passover holiday in the Exodus during the Passover holiday in the Spring.Spring.


After the Exodus, the Hebrews wandered After the Exodus, the Hebrews wandered through the desert for 40 years. According through the desert for 40 years. According to the Torah, God gave Moses two stone to the Torah, God gave Moses two stone tablets that contained the Ten tablets that contained the Ten Commandments. Over time, the Commandments. Over time, the commandments greatly influenced the commandments greatly influenced the laws and values of Western Civilization. laws and values of Western Civilization. When the people reached Canaan, which When the people reached Canaan, which later became known as Israel, the Hebrews later became known as Israel, the Hebrews renamed themselves the Israelites.renamed themselves the Israelites.

The Kingdom of IsraelThe Kingdom of Israel

At first the Twelve Tribes did not At first the Twelve Tribes did not have a central government. They have a central government. They lived in communities scattered in lived in communities scattered in Canaan, where they farmed and Canaan, where they farmed and raised livestock. Each community raised livestock. Each community had judges to enforce laws and settle had judges to enforce laws and settle problems between people. This problems between people. This system worked until the Philistines system worked until the Philistines invaded in the mid-1000s BC.invaded in the mid-1000s BC.


To get rid of the Philistines, the Israelites To get rid of the Philistines, the Israelites made Saul their first king. He had some made Saul their first king. He had some military success but never won full military success but never won full support from the people. The next king, support from the people. The next king, David, did have the tribes’ backing. He David, did have the tribes’ backing. He was able to unite the kingdom, which was able to unite the kingdom, which grew strong as he conquered new grew strong as he conquered new territory. He also made Jerusalem the territory. He also made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom. David’s son capital of his kingdom. David’s son Solomon later built a great temple there Solomon later built a great temple there when he became king.when he became king.


After Solomon’s death around 931 After Solomon’s death around 931 BC, Israel could not agree on who BC, Israel could not agree on who would be the next king. So it became would be the next king. So it became two kingdoms: Israel and Judah. two kingdoms: Israel and Judah. Within a few centuries, both had Within a few centuries, both had fallen. In 722 BC, Israel was fallen. In 722 BC, Israel was conquered by the Assyrians, who conquered by the Assyrians, who scattered the people of Israel scattered the people of Israel throughout their empire.throughout their empire.


Judah, the other Hebrew kingdom, fell Judah, the other Hebrew kingdom, fell to the Chaldeans, who destroyed to the Chaldeans, who destroyed Solomon’s Temple and enslaved the Solomon’s Temple and enslaved the Jews in Babylon. These events marked Jews in Babylon. These events marked the start of the Diaspora, the scattering the start of the Diaspora, the scattering of the Jews outside Judah. After fifty of the Jews outside Judah. After fifty years of enslavement, the Persian years of enslavement, the Persian Empire conquered the Chaldeans and Empire conquered the Chaldeans and let the Jews return to Jerusalem.let the Jews return to Jerusalem.


They were allowed to rebuild They were allowed to rebuild Solomon’s Temple, renaming it the Solomon’s Temple, renaming it the Second Temple. Many Jews, however, Second Temple. Many Jews, however, moved other places in Persia instead moved other places in Persia instead of returning to Jerusalem.of returning to Jerusalem.

The Teachings of JudaismThe Teachings of Judaism

Ancient Hebrew society was based on Ancient Hebrew society was based on religion, just as it was later for Jews. The religion, just as it was later for Jews. The most important belief in Judaism is that most important belief in Judaism is that only one God exists. This belief is called only one God exists. This belief is called monotheism. Because most other monotheism. Because most other ancient peoples worshipped many gods, ancient peoples worshipped many gods, the Jews’ monotheism set them apart. the Jews’ monotheism set them apart. Other central beliefs are obedience to Other central beliefs are obedience to the law, justice, and righteousness.the law, justice, and righteousness.

The Teachings of JudaismThe Teachings of Judaism

The most important laws of Judaism are The most important laws of Judaism are the Ten Commandments, but a whole the Ten Commandments, but a whole system of laws guides many areas of system of laws guides many areas of Jewish life such as how to pray, when to Jewish life such as how to pray, when to worship, and what to eat. This system worship, and what to eat. This system of laws is called Mosaic Law. These of laws is called Mosaic Law. These beliefs are recorded in scared texts beliefs are recorded in scared texts such as the Torah and the Talmud. The such as the Torah and the Talmud. The Talmud contains explanations and Talmud contains explanations and interpretations of the other sacred interpretations of the other sacred texts.texts.

2-4 Growth and 2-4 Growth and OrganizationOrganization

The Medes were another Indo-The Medes were another Indo-European tribe that came to power. European tribe that came to power. They settled in Media, on the They settled in Media, on the plateaus of what is now Iran. Among plateaus of what is now Iran. Among the neighboring groups the Medes the neighboring groups the Medes conquered were the Persians. In 559 conquered were the Persians. In 559 BC, Cyrus the Great led a Persian BC, Cyrus the Great led a Persian revolt that united Persia and Medes revolt that united Persia and Medes under his rule.under his rule.

Growth and OrganizationGrowth and Organization

Cyrus then conquered the wealthy Cyrus then conquered the wealthy kingdom of Lydia, several Greek kingdom of Lydia, several Greek cities in Ionia, and Babylon. Cyrus cities in Ionia, and Babylon. Cyrus also freed the Jews from slavery and also freed the Jews from slavery and allowed them to return to Jerusalem allowed them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple there.and rebuild their temple there.

At the time of Cyrus’s death in 530 At the time of Cyrus’s death in 530 BC, he ruled the largest empire in the BC, he ruled the largest empire in the world.world.


His son Cambyses became emperor, but His son Cambyses became emperor, but unlike his father, he was described as a unlike his father, he was described as a tyrant and a madman. After Cambyses’s tyrant and a madman. After Cambyses’s death, Darius I became leader of Persia. He death, Darius I became leader of Persia. He strengthened the empire by creating a strengthened the empire by creating a permanent army of paid, trained soldiers. permanent army of paid, trained soldiers. Some soldiers were even more skilled and Some soldiers were even more skilled and they served as bodyguards for the emperor. they served as bodyguards for the emperor. Darius gained new lands in the east, Darius gained new lands in the east, although he was unable to conquer Greece.although he was unable to conquer Greece.


To help rule his vast empire, Darius To help rule his vast empire, Darius had satraps govern different regions. had satraps govern different regions. Even though they were in charge, the Even though they were in charge, the satraps still had to obey Darius’s satraps still had to obey Darius’s orders. Darius also built roads and orders. Darius also built roads and minted the first Persian coins. Trade minted the first Persian coins. Trade made Persia very rich, and most made Persia very rich, and most historians consider Darius’s reign the historians consider Darius’s reign the high point of Persian culture. high point of Persian culture.


His son Xerxes was the last strong His son Xerxes was the last strong leader of Persian. Later emperors leader of Persian. Later emperors faced rebellion and a decline of trade faced rebellion and a decline of trade until around 330 BC, when the Greek until around 330 BC, when the Greek king Alexander the Great conquered king Alexander the Great conquered Persia.Persia.

ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism

During the reigns of Cyrus and During the reigns of Cyrus and Darius, a religion called Darius, a religion called Zoroastrianism took hold in Persia. Zoroastrianism took hold in Persia. Based on the teachings of Zoroaster, Based on the teachings of Zoroaster, it was one of the first religions to it was one of the first religions to teach dualism, the belief that the teach dualism, the belief that the world is controlled by two opposing world is controlled by two opposing forces, good and evil, or Ahura forces, good and evil, or Ahura Mazda and Ahriman.Mazda and Ahriman.

ZoroastrianismZoroastrianism

The Avesta, Zoroastrianism’s sacred The Avesta, Zoroastrianism’s sacred text, told people to live good lives in text, told people to live good lives in the service of Ahura Mazda so that the service of Ahura Mazda so that they could go to heaven. they could go to heaven. Zoroastrianism almost disappeared Zoroastrianism almost disappeared when the Persian Empire fell to the when the Persian Empire fell to the Greeks, but gradually, Zoroaster’s Greeks, but gradually, Zoroaster’s teachings spread again in Persia and teachings spread again in Persia and other parts of the world.other parts of the world.

Persian AchievementsPersian Achievements

The Persian Empire stretched across The Persian Empire stretched across most of Asia. Because it was huge, it most of Asia. Because it was huge, it contained dozens of peoples with their contained dozens of peoples with their own customs and traditions. Emperors own customs and traditions. Emperors like Cyrus and Darius encouraged their like Cyrus and Darius encouraged their cultures to blend because Persia built cultures to blend because Persia built unity. The people lived at peace with unity. The people lived at peace with each other, so instead of fighting, they each other, so instead of fighting, they were able to work together to improve were able to work together to improve the empire.the empire.


To ensure that leaders in the capital To ensure that leaders in the capital stayed aware of what was happening stayed aware of what was happening throughout the empire, a network of throughout the empire, a network of high quality roads was built. high quality roads was built. Messengers traveled the Royal Road, Messengers traveled the Royal Road, more than 1500 miles ling, that was the more than 1500 miles ling, that was the world’s first long highway. Urgent world’s first long highway. Urgent messages were carried by a series of messages were carried by a series of messengers who worked like runners in messengers who worked like runners in a relay race.a relay race.


The Persians were also widely The Persians were also widely admired for their art, especially admired for their art, especially delicate drinking vessels made of delicate drinking vessels made of gold and set with precious gems. gold and set with precious gems. These were used in the royal court, These were used in the royal court, Animals were common Persian Animals were common Persian decorations, appearing on the walls, decorations, appearing on the walls, gates, and columns of the empire’s gates, and columns of the empire’s cities.cities.

Persian AchievementPersian Achievement

Architectural achievements are Architectural achievements are another part of Persia’s culture. another part of Persia’s culture. Persepolis was a city designed by Persepolis was a city designed by Darius I to be a monument to Darius I to be a monument to Persia’s glory. At its center was a Persia’s glory. At its center was a huge, highly decorated hall. There huge, highly decorated hall. There was nothing else like it in the ancient was nothing else like it in the ancient Near East.Near East.

Date post:	26-Dec-2015
Category:	Documents
Upload:	jessie-nichols
View:	216 times
Download:	2 times

The Ancient Near East-2 Mrs. Cox World History Paisley IB.

Documents