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The Ancient Middle East

The Ancient Middle East. Chapter 7: Military Empires Section 1-Assyrian Civilization Section 2- Chaldean Civilization Section 3- Persian Civilization. Section 1- The Assyrians. Rose to power about 1000 years after Hammurabi ruled in Mesopotamia.

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The Ancient Middle East

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  1. The Ancient Middle East Chapter 7: Military Empires Section 1-Assyrian Civilization Section 2- Chaldean Civilization Section 3- Persian Civilization
  2. Section 1- The Assyrians Rose to power about 1000 years after Hammurabi ruled in Mesopotamia. Lived in the upper part of the Tigris River in Assyria. Spoke the same language and writing system as the Babylonians. Warrior society that by 800 B.C. controlled all of Mesopotamia.
  3. The ruins of Nineveh.
  4. The Assyrian Army Well organized into foot soldiers, chariots, cavalry, and archers. Fought with iron weapons. (Gave them advantages.) Used the Hittite smelting process, in which they heated iron ore, hammered out impurities, and rapidly cooled it. Cruel warriors who spread death and destruction on any city that resisted them. Purposely spread rumors of their cruelty to get enemies to surrender.
  5. Assyrian Army and Rule War Machine Assyrian Rule Fierce warrior society. At first, soldiers fought only in summer when not planting or harvesting crops. War chariots, foot soldiers, cavalry, archers. Known to hire soldiers from other places or force conquered people to supply them. Masters of siege warfare. Known to dig under city walls. Terror- brutal suppression of anyone who opposed them. Efficient system of Government. Local leaders appointed. System of roads for trade and government business. Brutal with opposition. Cultural achievements: library with 25,000 tablets of hymns, stories, and biographies. Wanted happy empire once conquered. Corrupt officials removed from office.
  6. Assyrians-Kings and Government Had strong leaders who ruled an empire from the Persian Gulf to the Nile Valley. King Ashurbanipal started the first library. Divided empire into provinces, or political districts. Provinces governed by officials that ensured taxes were collected and laws were obeyed. Roads developed with soldiers stationed along the routed to protect traders from bandits. Chaldeans defeated Assyrians around 612 B.C. by capturing their capital city of Nineveh
  7. A drawing of the Assyrian capitol of Nineveh.
  8. Nineveh under siege by the Babylonians and Medes.
  9. A stone carving of the Assyrians conquering an Egyptian town in their war on Egypt.
  10. The Masqah (Maas-KAH) Gate of Nineveh.
  11. A mythological beast called a Lammasu, from the gates of Nineveh.
  12. Section 2- The Chaldeans As Assyria began to decline, the Chaldeans, who called themselves Babylonians, moved in. Babylon, capital of their new empire. Nebuchadnezzar II Warrior and builder Hanging Gardens of Babylon (built for his wife) Chaldean culture Admired ancient Sumerian culture Developed calendar; advances in astronomy; 1st Sundial
  13. Greatest King of Babylonia Built a huge Ziggurat with “Hanging Gardens” Among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Worshipped a golden statue of the god named Marduk. Expanded trade as far away as Egypt and India. Caravans, or traveling merchants, arrived in Babylon to purchase goods.
  14. Ch 7-Section 3, The Persian Empire
  15. The Persian Empire
  16. Section 3-The Persians: Army and Empire Originally part of the Aryans--settled in what is now Iran. Mostly farmers-nobles owned large farms worked by laborers. Conquered by the Medes in 600 B.C., but soon overthrown by King Cyrus. He had an Army of hundreds of thousands. Officers were Persians; soldiers were either Persians or conquered people. Best fighters were the 10,000 man Immortals. (Called this because their numbers never dropped below 10,000)
  17. Army and Empire: Cyrus the Great Tolerant ruler  allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own cultures: religions, languages, and laws. The Greeks called him a “Law-Giver.” The Jews called him “the anointed of the Lord.” (In 537, he allowed over 40,000 to return to Palestine). 580 – 529 B. C. E.
  18. Army and Empire: Darius the Great Built Persepolis-Capital City. Extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. sq. mi.) Built a canal in Egypt. Wanted people to pay taxes, trade, supply soldiers and follow laws. Chose a Governor, secretary, and a military general for each of the 20 Provinces. Each reported separately.
  19. Darius the Greatand Government Officials Established a tax-collecting system. Divided the empire into districts called provinces. Built the great Royal Road system. Caravans traded as far as China. Established a complex postal system. Created a network of Inspectors (spies) called “the King’s eyes and ears.” Kept officials honest.
  20. Ancient Persepolis
  21. Persepolis
  22. The People of Persepolis
  23. Persian “Royal Road”
  24. Persian Archers & Soldiers
  25. Family Life Lived in houses with pointed roofs and porches. Nobles lived in houses with separate rooms for men and women. Poor families lived in one room houses. A father’s word was law in the home. Poor children worked with their parents. Noble children were raised by mothers or slaves. Many never saw fathers until adulthood. Rich women were sheltered and carried when outdoors by servants on carriages called litters.
  26. Persian Religion At first, worshipped many gods. Religious leader named Zoroaster preached that their was two gods— Ahura Mazda, who was wise and truthful; Ahriman, who made all evil things. Both gods battled for the souls of mankind. In the end, Ahura Mazda would win over Ahriman. People who were good would be rewarded, those who were evil would be punished. (Does this sound familiar?)
  27. Two gods: Dualistic Battle of Good vs. Evil Ahriman“Destructive Spirit” Made all evil things in the world Ahura Mazda“Holy Spirit” He created all good things in the world.
  28. Religion: Zarathustra [Zoroaster], Good Thoughts, Good Deed, Good Words “Tree of Life”
  29. Extent of Zoroastrianism
  30. Persian Trade Persians believed they could be warriors, farmers, or sheppards, but not traders (traders lied and cheat). They encouraged trade among conquered peoples. Expanded and improved roads begun by the Assyrians. The Royal Road ran more than 1,600 miles. Cut travel time from 3 months to 15 days. Opened a caravan route to China; silk was first brought to the west along this route. After conquering Lydia (first made/used coins), Persian kings decided to start using gold coins throughout the empire.
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