Southwest Asia, North Africa, and Central Asia History and Religion

Objectives Students Will Be able to: Name and describe the civilizations in the Ancient Middle East Compare and contrast the major religions of the region Explain the reasons for the Arab-Israeli Conflict

Mesopotamia Present-day Iraq 4000 B.C. Sumer People began to settle Used water for irrigation 3000 B.C.E. Cities began to develop Sumer

Sumer Region in Mesopotamia City-states Polytheistic Areas in Sumer that developed their own government Polytheistic Polytheism- worship of more than one god At first was a theocracy. Later, military leaders took over Theocracy- government controlled by religious leaders

Achievements of the Sumerians Very early calendar First people to use the wheel and plow Developed cuneiform, an early form of writing

Disadvantages of Mesopotamia Floods could damage crops and homes Few natural barriers Led to attacks

Hammurabi Hammurabi King who conquered Mesopotamia in 1790 B.C.E. Code of Hammurabi Meant to protect people and their property One of the world’s first codes of law

Ancient Egypt Relied on Nile River Social Status Very important Top Rulers Nobles Priests Middle Business and craftspeople Lower Most people Farmers and unskilled workers

Ancient Egypt Religion System of writing Center of Egyptian life Theocracy Ruled by pharaohs Egyptian rulers whom the people believed were gods Owned land and ordered thousands of people to build temples, tombs, and pyramids System of writing Hieroglyphics- Egyptian picture writing

Connection of Ancient Lands Trade very important to Mesopotamia and Egypt Mediterranean Phoenicia 1000 B.C. E. Trade very important to them

Three Religions Three major world religions began in Southwest Asia All three monotheistic Monotheism- belief in one god

Judaism Oldest of the three religions Practiced by Israelites Today, known as Jews Holy book- Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible Beliefs: Descended from Abraham Herder in 1800 B.C.E. Covenant with God Move to Canaan Follow laws Revealed to Moses Given 10 Commandments King David 1000 B.C. Had Jewish kingdom in present-day Israel

Judaism Diaspora- spreading of Jews throughout the world In many places, Jews treated poorly

Christianity Comes from Judaism A.D. 30 Jesus Christ Taught that God loved all people Placing trust in God would forgive sins Some people followed him, known as Christians Others feared Christianity Holy Book: Bible Old Testament- Judaism holy book New Testament- teaching of Jesus Spread to Europe and became dominant religion World’s largest religion today 2.1 Billion followers

Islam C.E. 600s on Arabian Peninsula Teachings of Muhammad Belief in one God, Allah Holy Book: Quran After death in 632, caliphs took over as leaders of Muslim empire Conquered places around area Asia North Africa Parts of Europe

Contributions of Islam Great traders Mathematics Astronomy Chemistry Medicine The number 0

Judaism Christianity Islam