The Ancient Near East:

1
Chapter 2

• The Ancient Near East
• Peoples and Empires

2
Timeline
3
The Hebrews The Children of Israel

• Hebrew Bible Old Testament
• Descendants of Abraham
• Migration to Egypt
• Slaves of Pharaohs
• Moses leads them out of Egypt (Exodus)
• 12 Tribes
• Troubles with the Philistines
• Origins of United Kingdom (c. 1200 c. 1000 B.C.)

4
Chronology The Israelites
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The United Kingdom

• Saul (c. 1020 1000 B.C.)
• David (c. 1000 970 B.C.)
• Solomon (c. 970 930 B.C.)
• Temple of Jerusalem
• Arc of the Covenant

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Map 2.1 Palestine in the First Millennium B.C.
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The Divided Kingdom

• Kingdom of Israel
• 10 Northern Tribes
• Capital in Samaria
• Kingdom of Judah
• 2 Southern Tribes
• Capital in Jerusalem
• Assyria conquers Kingdom of Israel (722 B.C.)
• Chaldeans conquered Kingdom of Judah (586 B.C.)
• Jerusalem Destroyed
• Babylonian Captivity

8
Spiritual Dimensions of Israel

• Yahweh (Monotheism)
• Covenant, Law and Prophets
• Covenant with Yahweh
• Laws
• 10 Commandments
• Regulation of economic, social and political life
  of all Hebrews
• Prophets
• Yahwehs voice to his people
• Universalism and Social Justice
• Separation between Jews and non-Jews

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The Social Structure of the Hebrews

• Social Patterns
• Family was the central social institution of
  Hebrew life
• Marriage and Women
• Monogamy versus Polygamy
• Dependence of women on men
• Goal of marriage was the production of children

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The Neighbors of the Israelites

• Philistines
• Phoenicians
• Trade
• Colonies throughout the Mediterranean
• Carthage
• Transmitters of Culture
• Alphabet

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Table 2.1 A Comparison of the Phoenician, Greek,
and Latin Alphabets
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Map 2.2 The Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian Empires
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The Assyrian Empire

• Semitic Language
• Iron Weapons
• Ashurbanipal (669 626 B.C.E.)
• Governing the Empire
• Absolute Kings
• Well-Organized Empire
• Military
• Size
• Discipline
• Weapons
• Tactics
• Terror

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Ashurbanipal Destroys an Elamite City
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Assyrian Society and Culture

• Imported Prisoners of War
• Language
• Religion
• Agriculture
• Trade
• Middlemen
• Hybrid Culture
• Guardians of Sumerian and Babylonian Culture
• Art
• Relief Sculptures

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King Ashurbanipuls Lion Hunt
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The Neo-Babylonian Empire

• Rise of the Chaldeans
• Reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (625 605 B.C.)
• Economic Prosperity
• The City of Babylon
• Fall of Babylon to Persians (539 B.C.)

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The Persian Empire

• Cyrus the Great (559 530 B.C.)
• Conquered Kingdom of Lydia (c. 547 B.C.)
• Conquered Greek city-states
• Conquered Mesopotamia (539 B.C.)
• Cambyses (530 522 B.C.)
• Conquered Egypt
• Darius the Great (521 486)
• Western India
• Ionian Revolt in Asia Minor
• Invasion and Defeat in Greece (490 B.C.)

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Map 2.3 The Persian Empire at the Time of Darius
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Governing the Empire

• Satrapies
• Satraps were of Persian descent
• Major satrapies went to princes of the kings
  family
• Minor satrapies went to Persian nobles
• Communications
• Royal Road from Sardis to Susa

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Panel in glazed brick at the Ishtar Gate
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The Great King

• Regent of the god Ahuramazda
• Palaces
• Gap between ruler and ruled
• Military Power
• 10,000 Immortals

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Persian Religion

• Zoroastrianism
• Zoroaster (born c. 660 B.C.)
• Monotheistic
• Ahuramazda
• Ahriman (Evil Spirit)
• Struggle between good and evil
• Last Judgment

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Discussion Questions

• How was ancient Judaism different from other
  ancient near-eastern religions? What impact did
  this have on ancient Hebrew history?
• What legacy did the ancient Hebrews leave to
  Western Civilization?
• Why were the Assyrians so successful in
  subjugating their neighbors?
• What role did terror play in Assyrian military
  tactics?
• How were the Persians able to conquer and
  maintain their large empire?
• How did Zoroastrianism influence religions that
  came later?

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Web Links

• Internet Jewish History Sourcebook
• The Old Testament and the Ancient Near East
• ABZU Internet Guide to the Ancient Near East
• Ancient Mesopotamia and the Levant
• Hittite Homepage
• Cyrus the Great
• AVESTA Zoroastrian Archives