1. 9/3 Do Now Briefly describe Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Which ideas do you like best from these philosophies? Which do you dislike? Why?

2. Successive Mesopotamian Empires Babylonian Empire – ca. 1790 BC Hammurabi’s Code Hittite Empire – ca. 1400 BC Ironworking Technology Assyrian Empire – ca. 1000 BC Most extensive, except for the Persian Empire Babylon Revisited – ca. 612 BC King Nebuchadnezzar builds the Hanging Gardens. Click here and on the picture for links to Hanging Gardens and Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

3. The Babylonian Empires

4. Assyrian Empire – ca. 1100 BC

5. Contributions of the Assyrians Assyrians 1. Improved iron weaponry. 2. Warfare was central to the culture. 3. Encouraged a well-ordered society. 4. First rulers to develop laws regulating life within the royal household. 5. At Nineveh, King Assurbanipal founded one of the first libraries, collecting cuneiform tablets from all over the empire. Nineveh

6. Phoenicians – ca. 1200 BC Phoenicians gained fame as sailors, traders and colonizers. They occupied a string of cities along the coastal Mediterranean and traded as far away as Africa and India. Phoenician ships exhibited the highest technology of the time.

7. Contributions of the Phoenicians Traded extensively in the Mediterranean. Trade goods included royal purple dye, glass, rare cedar wood, linen fabric, metal ware and papyrus Introduced the Phoenician alphabet, which we use today.

8. Persian Empire – ca. 500 BC

9. Contributions of the Persians Contributions of the Persians 1. Pursued a policy of tolerance in dealing with the extensive territories and cultures they conquered. 2. Introduced the idea of coinage/ money economy 3. Created the first extensive, well built road to unite the empire. Known as the Royal Road.

10. Persian Money Persia was the first empire to have a uniform system of coinage. What advantage does money have over bartering? Darius --->

11. Cyrus & Darius the Great 580 – 529 B. C. E. A tolerant ruler  he allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions. 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). 526 – 485 B. C. E. Established a tax- collecting system. Divided the empire into districts called SATRAPIES. Built the great Royal Road system and also created a standard monetary system adopted by the Lydians. Established a complex postal system. Created a network of spies called “the King’s eyes and ears.”

12. Cyrus the Great 580 – 529 B. C. E.  A tolerant ruler  he allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions. ((In 537, he allowed over 40,000 Jews to return to Palestine).

13. Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)  Built Persepolis.  He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. s.q. mi.)  Built a canal in Egypt.

14. Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)  Established a tax-collecting system.  Divided the empire into districts called SATRAPIES.  Built the great Royal Road system.  Established a complex postal system.  Created a network of spies called “the King’s eyes and ears.”

15. Ancient Persepolis

16. Persepolis

17. The People of Persepolis

18. Persian Archers & Soldiers

19. Royal Road:

20. Zarathustra [Zoroaster], 6c BCE : Good Thoughts, Good Deed, Good Words “Tree of Life”

21. Extent of Zoroastrianism

22. Dualistic Battle of Good vs. Evil Ahura Mazda “Holy Spirit” Ahriman “Destructive Spirit”

23. Zend-Avesta (The “Book of Law”) The “Sacred Fire”  the force to fight evil.

24. Persian Empire Persian Empire Assignment: You will now watch 24 minutes of a History Channel special on the Persian Empire -Take 15 notes total in your notebook. I will check this tomorrow in your weekly notebook check.