New Centers of Civilization

The Role of Nomadic Peoples On the outskirts of many civilizations lived nomadic people called “Pastoral Nomads” Pastoral Nomads - people who depended upon domesticating animals for food and clothing. They also overran communities and created their own empires.

Interaction People who lived in settled communities viewed the nomads as barbarians, and hostile They did interact through trade Nomads traded animals and animal products in return for grains and vegetables they could not grow themselves When times were tough, such as during a drought though, the nomads would attack villages to gain the supplies they needed to survive.

Indo-Europeans Indo-European - a particular group of people who spoke a language derived from a single tongue. This is one of the most important nomadic groups. Originated in the steppe region north of the Black Sea Their language is the basis for Greek, Latin, Persian, Sanskrit, and Germanic languages By 2000 B.C. they began moving into Europe, India, and western Asia.

Hittites Hittites - a group of Indo Europeans who created an empire in modern day Turnkey. They were the first to use iron. Their power eventually threatened the power of the Egyptians Yet, they were eventually destroyed by the “Sea Peoples” The Egyptians and Hittites lost power around 1200 B.C.

The Hittites were master chariot builders, and archers, making them a very powerful force on the battle field.

The Phoenicians The Phoenicians - created an international trade empire and invented an alphabet. The Phoenicians originated in Palestine The vacuum of power left after the collapse of Egypt and the Hittites allowed the Phoenicians to prosper. The Phoenicians were great sailors and thus trade was their strength. They expanded with settlements throughout the Mediterranean, including Carthage, their most famous settlement. They even expanded as far as Great Britain!

A Phoenician sailing vessel

Phoenician Alphabet The Phoenician language was simplified to 22 different signs to represent the sounds of speech. The 22 letters could be used to spell out all of their words. Although it was not the first alphabet, it is significant because it became the Greek alphabet, then the Roman, which is what we use today.

The Israelites Israelites – the ancestors of modern day Jewish peoples. South of the Phoenicians were the Israelites They were not super powerful, but their religion, Judaism, was extremely influential in the region and the world. Much of their History is written in the Hebrew Bible, or the Old Testament to Christians.

Israelite Culture and History Their culture was based on grazing rather than farming. Because of drought, they moved to Egypt where they were enslaved until Moses led them out of Egypt. (??Maybe??) Around 1200 B.C. they organized themselves into tribes and formed the United Kingdom, known as Israel.

The United Kingdom King David was their leader They now controlled all of the land that was Israel Jerusalem – was the capital of Israel. King Solomon, (David’s Son) expanded the government and trade, and built a huge temple in the center of the city This temple came to be the symbolic center of their religion and kingdom itself

The Divided Kingdom Over time, the Kingdom split into 2 separate Kingdoms. Israel, and Judah. In 722 B.C. the Assyrians overran Israel, and sent many Israelites throughout the region. The people of both Israel and Judah were in exile for hundreds of years. The Persians eventually allowed the people of Judah to return to their land and rebuild their temple. The people of Judah eventually became known as the Jews, and their religion Judaism.

Judaism The Jews were monotheistic – meaning a belief in one god. Some beliefs Everything was created and controlled by God, whether or not people realized it. God was just and good, and expected goodness from the people If they did not obey his laws they would be punished, but he was also compassionate.

Significance The Biggest significance of the Jewish religion was its belief in one God. Unlike other religions in the region, all people had access to God. His will was written down, and no leader could claim that only he knew the ways and desires of God.

Problem? The problem with this belief was that it created a separation between Jews and other cultures. Because of their strong beliefs, Jews would not accept the gods of their conquerors, or neighbors. Consequently they could not be integrated into another community. This also helped lead to discrimination against Jews.