1.2 Western Asia and Egypt

Mesopotamia Land between rivers Tigris and Euphrates Fertile Crescent Sumerian City States  Cuneiform  Epic of Gilgemesh  Numbers based on 60  Wagon and potter’s wheel, sundial, arch, bronze (tin+copper)

Empires of Mesopotamia 1 st Empire 2340 BC  Sargon the Akkadian Babylonian Invasion: 1792 BC Hammurabi Code  Severe punishments  “An eye for an eye”  Written law  Patriarchal nature  Detailed every offense

Nile River Valley Upper and Lower Egypt 3100 BC King Menes unites Egypt  (1 st Dynasty) Old Kingdom- Pharaohs  Great house or Palace  Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Mummies

Middle and New Kingdoms BC Middle Kingdom Public Works  Drain swamps Hyksos from W. Asia invade with Chariots BC New Kingdom  Drove Hyksos out,  Pharaohs amassed wealth and power.

Egyptian Society Pharaoh Nobles and Priest Merchants, artisan, scribes, and tax collectors Peasants, paid taxes, worked the land, and provided military service, largest population group

Egyptian Accomplishments Papyrus Hieroglyphics Buildings Art Geometry

New Empires Israelites BC  King Solomon  Monotheistic Assyrians BC  Iron weapons  Cruel to conquered people Persians  Cyrus, captured Babylon and returned Jews to Jerusalem  Darius, extends empire from Europe to India