1. People of the Fertile Crescent (Part 2) I. The Hittites (1600-1200 BC ) 1. Conquer Mesopotamia a. Iron weapons -stronger than Sumerian Bronze b. Legal System -fines for crimes

2. II. The Phoenicians (1100s BC ) 1. Sea Navigators a. Mediterranean Sea b. Set up colonies -N. Africa -Carthage -Atlantic coast 2. Developed modern writing system -22 letter alphabet

3. III. The Hebrews 1. Monotheism V. Polytheism a. belief in ONE God 2. Justice system 3. Ethics a. Right from wrong 4. Establish Judaism a. Jewish religion / faith b. Solomon = Great King c. Jerusalem = religious city d. Israel = Nation

4. IV. The Assyrians 1. Northern Mesopotamia a. Great Soldiers -horseback b. Cruel & harsh rulers -punish non-Assyrian opponents -overthrown by the people -Revolution -Chaldeans & Medes *Theme: “All rulers are subject to the people over which they rule…”

5. V. The New Babylonian Empire 1. Chaldeans of Babylonia (605-561 BC ) a. Great builders b. Expert Astrologers c. Cruel Rulers -brutal punishment of Hebrews d. Great King = Nebuchadnezzar

6. VI. The Persians 1. Excellent rulers a. Respect people of different cultures b. Grant freedom to people c. Divide Empire into provinces -supervised by Satrap -local governor d. Built roads e. Kept taxes reasonable 2. Persian Religion a. Zoroastrianism -Ahura Mazda = force of good -Ahriman = force of evil b. Great King = Cyrus the Great The Farohar is a Zoroastrian guardian spirit. This panel includes an inscription in English and Persian with the three tenets of Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds, as well as the Roman Numerals symbolizing the Ten Commandments.