Empire Builders

The Leftovers Hittites Phoenicians Assyrians Chaldeans Lydians Persians

Hittites Kingdom founded ca B.C. Empire ( ) Conquered Syria, rivaled Egypt Destroyed by Sea Peoples Notable for ironworking

Phoenicians Maritime and merchant culture Reached Britain and West Africa Byblos  biblos Inventors of the Alphabet

Assyrians Largest empire yet in the Near East. Based in Northern Mesopotamia Achieved independence in the 14 th century B.C. Expansion in 12 th century and after Highly specialized army Terror tactics Deportation of enemies Jonah’s visit c. 800 B.C.

Assyrians (2) Peaked in the mid-7 th century  Overextension caused rapid collapse in the late 7 th century. 612—Nineveh falls.

Chaldeans (Neo-Babylonians) Rebelled against Assyria, captured Nineveh with Medes. Nebuchadnezzar II ( ) completed conquests, took Palestine, Egypt Period of Prosperity

Chaldeans (2) Babylon the Great Ishtar Gate Hanging Gardens Numerous Biblical prophecies regarding Babylon (Ezekiel, Daniel, etc.) Babylon falls to Persians in 539

Lydians Centered in Asia Minor Relations to Greeks Croesus Currency Commodity-based Precious metals Coinage

Persians First mentioned in 9 th century by Assyrians Nomads occupying the Iranian plateau Union and expansion under Cyrus the Great ( )—Media, Lydia, Babylon

Consolidation and Expansion Cyrus’s Consolidations Allowed religious toleration Permitted locals to serve as officials Reputation for mercy Favorable accounts in Scripture Cambyses ( ) conquered Egypt in 526. Darius ( ) invaded western India.

Imperial Structure Susa, Persepolis Divided into satrapies Satraps functioned as miniature kings Road network International military

Persian Religion Originally nature- worship; Mithras Zoroaster (7 th c.) “Monotheism” (Ahuramazda) Dualism Widespread acceptance led to loss of monotheism.