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New Centers of Civilization Chapter 2 Section 3. 09/18/2013. The Role of Nomadic Peoples. Indo-Europeans-nomadic group of people who spoke a language derived from a single parent tongue. Ex) Greek, Latin, Persian, etc 1750 B.C., a group of Indo- Europeans formed the Hittite kingdom.
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The Role of Nomadic Peoples • Indo-Europeans-nomadic group of people who spoke a language derived from a single parent tongue. Ex) Greek, Latin, Persian, etc • 1750 B.C., a group of Indo- Europeans formed the Hittite kingdom. • 1st Indo-Europeans to use iron. • Destroyed by the “Sea People” around 1200 BC
The Role of Nomadic Peoples • 1200BC- End of the Hittite Kingdom and weakening of Egypt left no dominant power in Asia. • This allowed a number of kingdoms and city-states to emerge in the area of Syria and Palestine. • The Phoenicians were one of these peoples.
The Phoenicians • The Phoenicians • excellent ship builders and sailors. • established an extensive trading empire. • traded lumber, glass, perfumes and cloth • First to create an alphabet that was passed on to the Greeks.
The Israelites • The founder of the Israelite kingdom was Abraham. • A distinct group of organized tribes who established a united kingdom. • The Israelites created the kingdom of Israel, and King David set up its capital at Jerusalem. • David’s son, King Solomon, built a temple at Jerusalem.
The Israelites • The Israelites’ religion, Judaism, was the first monotheistic (Belief in ___ God) religion; it later influenced Christianity and Islam. • Belief in one god called Yahweh- the creator of the world and everything in it.
Judaism • 3 Aspects • Covenant (contract) made with God. • Law (The Ten Commandments revealed by God) • Prophets (God’s command to live justly, share with others, care for unfortunate) • Gods wishes were written down in the Hebrew Bible • Monotheistic beliefs caused friction between neighborhoods.
DISCUSSION • Look on page 50 • How do the Ten Commandments relate to the laws in the United States?
Section 4: The Rise of New Empires • A large army equipped with iron weapons enabled the Assyrians to establish a new empire in Mesopotamia by 700 B.C. • Feared by most because of their fierce military strength. • Used terror as an instrument of war.
The Rise of New Empires • Brutal warriors, the Assyrians had an effective system of communication and also one of the world’s finest libraries.
Section 4: The Rise of New Empires • After the collapse of the Assyrian empire, the Chaldeans of Babylonia under king Nebuchadnezzar made Babylon the leading state in western Asia. • He rebuilt Babylon and made it one of the great cities of the ancient world as a major trade center. • Babylon fell to the Persians in 539 B.C. and the Persian Empire became the leading power in the area.
The Rise of New Empires • Under Cyrus the Great, the Persians created a state that stretched from Asia Minor to western India. • Cyrus ruled with remarkable wisdom and compassion. • Immortals –professional cavalry and infantry consisting of 10,000 soldiers each. When one died he was immediately replaced.
The Rise of New Empires • Cyrus’s successors expanded the empire, relying on a system of provincial governors (satraps) who collected taxes, provided justice and security, and recruited soldiers. • Darius, After the collapse of the Assyrian Empire, the Persian Empire became the leading power. • ruled from 521 B.C. to 486 B.C added a new Persian providence in western India. • Built the Royal Road- highway to expand trade from Susa (Persia) to Lydia, near the Mediterranean Sea.
The Rise of New Empires • Zoroastrianism- monotheistic Persian religion started by Zoroaster, the prophet. • Believed that Ahuramazda (good spirit) was the supreme god who brought all things into being. • He was opposed by Ahriman, the evil spirit. • Humans had fee will and could choose between good and evil.
The Rise of New Empires • Darius had a great infantry force and excellent soldiers. • However, Persian kings became isolated at their courts, surrounded by luxuries making his monarchy very weak. • Struggles to control the throne also weakened the empire. • This led to its conquest by the Greek ruler Alexander the Great in 330s B.C.
The Rise of New Empires • Alexander the Great conquered the Persians in the 330s B.C.