Chapter 3iii

Empire Builders

Although the Phoenicians, Aramaens, Lydians, and Israelites gave the world alphabets, religion, commerce, and language, they had weak military power compared to their neighbors.

Around 2000 BC, the Hittites conquered several Middle Eastern cultures using light chariots and sound strategy. In 1595 BC, the Hittites conquered Babylon. The Empire lasted until 1200 BC.

The Assyrians (from northern Mesopotamia) were subject to constant attacks. In response, they grew stronger than their enemies and destroyed many of them. They treated defeated peoples harshly.

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ASSYR I ANS

The Assyrians built their capital at Nineveh. They built an

infrastructure for their Empire, but despite the improvements,

the people under them still rebelled. The Chaldeans and

the Medes defeated the Assyrians in 612 BC.

The Chaldeans•Followed the Assyrians.

•Ruled by Nebuchadnezzar:605-562

•Enslaved Israelites (Bab.exile)

•Built Hanging Gardens in Babylon

•Defeated by the Persians in 539 BC

Artist’s rendition of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The Persians gained territory and power under King Cyrus in the 540’s BC. He and his son

conquered Mesopotamia, Syria, Canaan, Phoenician cities,

Lydia, Greek city-states, and Egypt! (That’s all of the

Middle East!)

The furthest extent of the Persian Empire went from the Nile river in Egypt to the Indus River in India and encompassed 50 million people.

The best organizer among all Persians was Darius I (~500 BC). He divided his kingdom into smaller provinces called satraps with local governors ruling them.

Darius’ son, Xerxes was defeated by the Greek city-states in 480, ending

their expansion. Persia will be remembered as one of the most

powerful nations ever, but they were overshadowed by the Greeks and

Macedonians.

•2000 Hittites

•1900 Israelites

•1200 Assyrians/Israelites leave Egypt

•1100 Phoenicians

•1000 Israelites establish capital at Jerusalem

For those of you keeping track:

•722 Babylonian Exile

•612 Chaldeans

•605 Nebuchadnezzar rules Babylon

•600 Lydians

•540 Persians

•530 Israelites return to Jerusalem

•522 Persians conquer Egypt

•480 Xerxes defeated by Greeks

We have gained a lot from each of these civilizations: language,

alphabet, laws, commerce, art, and stuff...