The Fertile Crescent, Mesopotamia, and the Persian Empire What factors helped unify early civilizations in Southwest Asia? Geography of the Fertile Crescent LESSON 1 The Sumerians LESSON 2 Military Empires LESSON 3 The Phoenicians LESSON 4 The Persian Empire LESSON 5 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Geography of the Fertile Crescent LESSON 1 The Big Idea The valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were the site of the world’s first civilizations. Main Ideas The rivers of Southwest Asia supported the growth of civilizations. New farming techniques led to the growth of cities. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Rivers Support the Growth of Civilization Lesson 1 Rivers Support the Growth of Civilization Main Idea 1 The rivers of Southwest Asia supported the growth of civilizations. Land Between Two Rivers The Tigris and Euphrates rivers are the most important physical features of the region known as Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia means “between the rivers” in Greek. Mesopotamia is part of a larger area of rich farmland called the Fertile Crescent. Mesopotamia was divided into two regions in ancient times: northern and southern Mesopotamia. continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Main Idea 1 Rise of Civilizations Lesson 1 Main Idea 1 (continued) Rise of Civilizations Annual floods on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers brought silt that made the land ideal for farming. – Silt is a mixture of rich soil and tiny rocks. Plentiful food led to population growth and the formation of villages. Villages later developed into the world’s first civilizations. A civilization is an organized society within a specific area. Features of civilizations include writing, formal education, art, architecture, and government. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Farming and Cities Main Idea 2 Controlling Water Lesson 1 Farming and Cities Main Idea 2 New farming techniques led to the growth of cities. The water levels of the Tigris and Euphrates would rise or fall, depending on the amount of rainfall. Controlling Water Farmers used irrigation and canals as a way to control river flow. Irrigation supplied water to farmland from the rivers by taking water through canals and ditches to fields. Irrigation increased the amount of food farmers produced. Increased amounts of food led to surpluses, or having more than was needed. continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

A More Productive Society Lesson 1 Main Idea 2 (continued) A More Productive Society Surpluses meant that fewer people needed to farm, new occupations developed. Fewer people needed to farm, so they took on other roles and jobs. When workers specialize in a particular task, a division of labor is created. Large projects were undertaken, which led to the need for structure and rules. The Appearance of Cities Settlements grew in size, creating cities between 4000 and 3000 BC. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

The Sumerians LESSON 2 The Big Idea Main Ideas The Sumerians developed the first civilization in Mesopotamia. Main Ideas The Sumerians created the world’s first advanced society. Religion played a major role in Sumerian society. The Sumerians invented the world’s first writing system. Technical advances and inventions changed Sumerian lives. Many types of art developed in Sumer. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

An Advanced Society Main Idea 1 The City-States of Sumer Lesson 2 An Advanced Society Main Idea 1 The Sumerians created the world’s first advanced society. The City-States of Sumer Most people lived in the rural areas and were farmers. Cities were the urban centers of Sumerian society. A city-state consisted of a city and all of the surrounding countryside. The amount of countryside in each city-state depended on its military strength. City-states fought each other to gain more farmland. City-states, like Ur and Uruk, gained and lost power over time. A king of Uruk named Gilgamesh became a legendary figure. continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Rise of the Akkadian Empire Lesson 2 Main Idea 1 (continued) Rise of the Akkadian Empire Akkadians built a society north of Sumer. The Akkadian ruler Sargon had the first permanent army. He defeated all of the city-states of Sumer. When his army conquered northern Mesopotamia, he established the world’s first empire. Empire: land with different territories and peoples under a single rule Sargon ruled for 50 years. After his death, his empire lasted only a century longer. Sumerians conquered the area once again. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Religion Shapes Society Lesson 2 Religion Shapes Society Main Idea 2 Religion played a major role in Sumerian society. Sumerian Religion Sumerian polytheism was the basis for all Sumerian society. – Polytheism is the worship of many gods. Gods had enormous powers. In Sumer, priests had great statues built. – Priests were people who performed religious ceremonies. continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Main Idea 2 Sumerian Social Order Lesson 2 Main Idea 2 (continued) Sumerian Social Order The division of society by rank or class is the social hierarchy. Kings were at the top of the order because they claimed to be chosen to rule by the gods. Social order Kings Priests Skilled craftspeople, merchants, and traders Large working class of farmers and laborers Slaves continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Main Idea 2 Men and Women in Sumer Lesson 2 Main Idea 2 (continued) Men and Women in Sumer Men generally held the political power and made laws. Women generally took care of the home and children. Education was generally reserved for men, but some upper class women were educated. Some women were priestesses in Sumerian temples. Enheduanna, a priestess who wrote hymns, is the first known female writer in history. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

The Invention of Writing Lesson 2 The Invention of Writing Main Idea 3 The Sumerians invented the world’s first writing system. The cuneiform system involved the use of sharp tools called styluses. The Sumerians first used cuneiform to keep business records. The Sumerians also used their writing skills to write books about history, poems, and math. continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

The Invention of Writing Lesson 2 Main Idea 3 (continued) The Invention of Writing Cuneiform World’s first system of writing Cuneiform symbols could represent syllables. Earlier pictographs had represented only objects. The Sumerians wrote on clay tablets with a stylus. Scribes Writers Kept track of items people traded and wrote down government records Becoming a scribe was a way to move up in social class. Other Uses Wrote works of literature, stories, proverbs, and songs Wrote poems about the gods and military victories. Created epics, long poems that tell the stories of heroes. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Advances and Inventions Lesson 2 Advances and Inventions Main Idea 4 Technical advances and inventions changed Sumerian lives. Technical Advances Development of the wheel – Used for carts and wagons – Potter’s wheel The plow increased farm production. Sewers under city streets Created tools out of bronze Math and Sciences Number system based on 60 Calculated areas of rectangles and triangles Listed names of animals, plants, and minerals Used medicines for healing and catalogued medical knowledge Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

The Arts of Sumer Main Idea 5 Architecture The Arts Lesson 2 The Arts of Sumer Main Idea 5 Many types of art developed in Sumer. Architecture Sumerians were skilled in architecture. Rulers lived in large palaces. Most Sumerians lived in houses with many rooms around a small courtyard. A ziggurat, or pyramid-shaped temple tower, rose above each city. The Arts Sculptors produced many statues of the gods for their temples. Jewelry was a popular item made from imported gold, silver, and gems. Engraved cylinder seals are one of Sumer’s most famous types of art. Music was played for entertainment and worship. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Military Empires LESSON 3 The Big Idea Main Ideas After the Sumerians, many cultures ruled parts of the Fertile Crescent. Main Ideas The Babylonians conquered Mesopotamia and created a code of law. Invasions of Mesopotamia changed the region’s culture. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

The Babylonians Conquer Mesopotamia Lesson 3 The Babylonians Conquer Mesopotamia Main Idea 1 The Babylonians conquered Mesopotamia and created a code of law. The Rise of Babylon After Ur lost power, other groups fought to control the region Babylon was home to a powerful government A man named Hammurabi became Babylon’s king and the city’s greatest monarch, or ruler of a kingdom or empire continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Main Idea 1 Hammurabi’s Code Lesson 2 Main Idea 1 (continued) Hammurabi’s Code Hammurabi was a brilliant war leader who brought all of Mesopotamia into his Babylonian Empire Oversaw building and irrigation projects and improved the tax system Developed a set of 282 laws that was written down for all to see The set of laws, Hammurabi’s Code, contained some ideas still found in laws today. Specific crimes brought specific penalties. Social class was taken into account. It was a greater crime to injure a rich man than a poor one. It was unique not only because of how thorough it was, but also because he wrote it down for all to see. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Invasions of Mesopotamia Lesson 3 Invasions of Mesopotamia Main Idea 2 Invasions of Mesopotamia changed the region’s culture. The Hittites and Kassites The Hittites were the first to master ironworking, so they made the strongest weapons of the time. They used the chariot, a wheeled, horse-drawn cart, which allowed them to move quickly around the battlefield. They were taken over by the Kassites after their king was assassinated. The Kassites ruled for almost 400 years. continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Main Idea 2 The Assyrians The Chaldeans Lesson 3 Main Idea 2 (continued) The Assyrians The Assyrians had a strong army that used chariots and iron weapons. They spread terror before battles by looting villages and burning crops. The government demanded heavy taxes. Assyrian kings ruled their empire through local leaders who each governed a small area. The Chaldeans The Chaldeans attacked the Assyrians when they were weak and destroyed their empire. Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon into a beautiful city that had the famous Hanging Gardens. They admired the Sumerian culture, studied their language, and built temples to Sumerian gods. Babylon became a center for astronomy. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

The Phoenicians LESSON 4 The Big Idea Main Ideas The Phoenicians created a wealthy trading society along Mediterranean Sea. Main Ideas The Phoenicians built a trading society in the eastern Mediterranean region. The Phoenicians developed one of the world’s first alphabets. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Lesson 4 Phoenicia Main Idea 1 The Phoenicians built a trading society in the eastern Mediterranean region. Phoenician City-States Not a great military power Phoenician city-states includes Byblos, Sidon, and Tyre. Ruled by kings or a council of elders Government influenced by merchants Lost independence when conquered by Persia The Geography of Phoenicia Mountains to the north and east Access to the Mediterranean Sea for Trade Cedar trees for timber Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Phoenician Trade and Culture Lesson 4 Phoenician Trade and Culture Main Idea 2 The Phoenicians developed one of the world’s first alphabets. The Expansion of Trade Phoenicians became expert sailors. Ships used sails and oars Traded all around the Mediterranean Sea Founded several new colonies, including Carthage Traded timber, glass, purple fabric continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Phoenician Culture and Achievements Lesson 4 Main Idea 2 (continued) Phoenician Culture and Achievements Trading led to cultural exchange. Phoenician religion shared elements with the religions of surrounding civilizations Developed new navigation techniques Most important achievement was the alphabet A set of letters that can be used to form words The English alphabet is based on the Phoenician one. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

The Persian Empire LESSON 5 The Big Idea Main Ideas Over time the Persians came to rule a great empire, which eventually brought them into conflict with the Greeks. Main Ideas Persia became an empire under Cyrus the Great. The Persian Empire grew stronger under Darius I. The Persians fought Greece twice in the Persian Wars. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Persia Becomes an Empire Lesson 5 Persia Becomes an Empire Main Idea 1 Persia became an empire under Cyrus the Great. Cyrus the Great Cyrus the Great won independence for Persia from the Medes, marking the beginning of the Persian Empire. Cyrus conquered many people but let them keep their own customs. This kept people from rebelling against his strong empire. He was so successful that he became known as Cyrus the Great. continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Main Idea 1 The Persian Army Lesson 5 Main Idea 1 (continued) The Persian Army Cyrus was successful because he had a strong powerful army. This army was strong because it was well organized and loyal. The army was composed of Immortals, which were 10,000 soldiers chosen for their bravery and skill. The army also had a cavalry, a unit of soldiers who ride horses. Cyrus used the cavalry to charge at and shoot enemies with arrows. Together the components of the army could defeat almost any enemy. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

The Persian Empire Grows Stronger Lesson 5 The Persian Empire Grows Stronger Main Idea 2 The Persian Empire grew stronger under Darius I. Within four years of Cambyses’ death, a young prince named Darius I claimed the throne. He killed all his rivals for power and then worked to restore order in Persia. Political Organization Darius divided the empire into 20 provinces. Governors called satraps ruled the provinces. – Collected taxes – Were judges – Put down rebellions continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Persian Art, Architecture, and Literature Lesson 5 Main Idea 2 (continued) Persian Art, Architecture, and Literature Darius built an impressive new capital, called Persepolis. Persian artists made beautiful works of art for the royal family During his rule a new religion arose, called Zoroastrianism. –This religion taught that two forces were fighting in the universe: a good force and an evil force. –The Avesta is the holy book of Zoroastrianism and an example of early Persian literature. continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Main Idea 2 Persian Society Persian Expansion Lesson 5 Main Idea 2 (continued) Persian Society Darius created a standardized currency. He encouraged trade. He built many roads that connected various parts of the empire. The roads connected the empire and allowed messengers to travel quickly. Persian Expansion Darius expanded the empire by conquering the entire Indus Valley. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

The Persians Fight Greece Lesson 5 The Persians Fight Greece Main Idea 3 The Persians fought Greece twice in the Persian Wars. Darius was angry that the Greeks had aided a revolt against the Persians, so he invaded Greece in a series of battles known as the Persian Wars. The Battle of Marathon Darius invaded Greece at the plains of Marathon, near Athens. The invasion began the Persian Wars, a series of wars between Persia and Greece While Persians soldiers outnumbered Greek soldiers, the Greeks won the battle because the had better weapons and tactics. According to legend a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens to bring news of the victory. He died after sharing the news. continued… Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

The Second Invasion of Greece Lesson 5 Main Idea 3 (continued) The Second Invasion of Greece Years later, Xerxes I tried to conquer Greece again, this time joined by the Persian navy. The Spartans slowed the Persian army at Thermopylae, giving Greece enough time to gain the upper hand and eventually beat the Persians at Plataea, ending the Persian Wars. While the defeat was embarrassing for the Persians, they empire remained strong for more than a century after the war. Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company