RISE OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE

The ancient river valley civilization of Mesopotamia/Sumer would give way to Babylon. The lack of natural boundaries made them an easy target for invaders. This is why some ancient cities/civilizations were walled cities.

Similarities of Babylon and Sumer Farmers Artisans Traders Traded goods with distant parts of the Fertile Crescent and with Egypt and India.

NEBUCHADNEZZAR: 2nd Babylonian King whose empire stretched from Persian Gulf to Mediterranean Sea. He oversaw the rebuilding of canals, temples, walls, and palaces of Babylon. During his reign, the city became one of the largest and highly regarded in the history of ancient Mesopotamia. Surrounded Babylon with a defensive moat and brick wall that was 85 ft. thick. Believed he was the creator of the famous Hanging Gardens-One of the 7 wonders of the world. He decorated a huge ziggurat by planting trees and flowering plants.

The City of Babylon Massive walled city Network of Canals Vivid green crops 300 –foot high Ziggurats Ziggurats were multi-level towers that served as temples. Elaborate gates designed with dragons and bulls

The Babylonian Empire Invaders from what is now Syria conquered the city-states of lower Mesopotamia. King named Hammurabi (ruled 1792-1750 B.C.) became the greatest ruler of this new empire. He made the city of Babylon his capital and called his empire Babylonia. The conquering of most of the Tigris and Euphrates dismantled city-states and brought the region under one rule.

RISE OF PERSIAN EMPIRE-FALL OF BABYLON 539 B.C. Babylon fell to Persian armies of Cyrus the Great. Cyrus and his successors created the largest empire yet seen. Unified various tribes and clans under a single political structure. Persians eventually controlled territory from Asia Minor to India. Including present day Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Persian empire created better roads; helped make government more efficient. Persian Kings pursued a policy of tolerance when they conquered new people.

KING DARIUS I: Ruled 522 B.C.-486 B.C. Created the first Bureaucracy- system of government through departments and subdivisions administered by officials who follow set rules. Darius divided the empire into provinces or SATRAPY, and was headed by a governor call a SATRAP. Each Satrapy had to pay taxes based on its resources and wealth. Darius adapted laws from the people he conquered and like Hammurabi, drew up a single code of laws for the empire. He made better roads, and this allowed for better communication with different parts of the empire.

PERSIA’S ECONOMY To better the economy and trade, Darius established a common set of weights and measures and introduced a system of taxation. Encouraged use of coins. Moved the empire from using a Barter System (exchanging one set of goods or services for another) to using a MONEY ECONOMY- goods and services are paid for through the exchange of some token of agreed value, like a coin or bill. By minting his own gold coins, Darius created economic links among his far reaching subjects, and helped expand commerce & promote international trade.

BIRTH OF A NEW RELIGION ZOROASTER: Persian thinker who helped unite the empire. Lived about 600 B.C. He rejected old Persian Gods and taught that there was a single wise god named AHURA MAZDA, who ruled the world. Zoroaster said that the world was in constant battle between Ahura Mazda, who represented light and good, and Ahriman, who was the Prince of lies, evil, and darkness. It was up to the individual to pick a side to support. This led for Judaism, Christianity and Islam to push for the concept of Free Will. People had to choose to follow good or evil.

THE PHOENICIAN’S & THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS Apart of smaller states in ancient Middle East. Phoenicians gained fame as both sailors and traders. Occupied a string of Cities along the Eastern Mediterranean coast-in modern day Lebanon and Syria.

PHOENICIAN TRADE & ALPHABET TRADE & MANUFACTURING TAKES OFF PHOENICIAN ALPHABET They made glass from coastal sand. Created “Tyrian Purple,” a dye made from a tiny sea snail. Traded with people all over the Mediterranean Sea Created Colonies in North Africa, Sicily & Spain Colony: a territory settled and ruled by people from another land Phoenician traders developed an alphabetic system using 22 symbols that stood for consonant sounds. Greeks later adapted the Phoenician alphabet & added symbols for the vowel sounds. The alphabet we use today is attributed to this early style.