9/26 Focus: The Phoenicians spread ideas throughout the Mediterranean and they are credited with starting the modern alphabet. The Persians formed one of the largest and best governed empires in the ancient world and made great cultural achievements. Do Now: Explain how the geographic location of a group of people might influence their culture.

Review Where did the Hittites originally come from? What technological development made them a powerful military force? Why were the Assyrians hated by the people they conquered?

Fertile Crescent Empires The Chaldeans The Phoenicians

Nebuchadnezzar II Chaldean king who rebuilt the Babylonian empire Took over the southern and western Assyrian empire after that empire collapsed Neo-Babylonian Empire Captured Jerusalem and sent many Jews back to Babylon as slaves

Nebuchadnezzar II Made Babylon one of greatest cities of that time Ancient writers claim that he constructed the Hanging Gardens of Babylon One of the seven wonders of the ancient world

Artists rendition of what the Hanging Gardens may have looked like

Phoenicians Lived in along the coast of modern day Lebanon Mountainous terrain made it difficult to farm They became expert sailors Established trade routes and trading colonies throughout the Mediterranean Carthage in North Africa was one the largest colonies

Phoenicians “The Carriers of Civilization” Created the Alphabet Spread ideas, technology, customs from the Middle East through the Mediterranean as they traded Created the Alphabet

How far did the Phoenicians sail?

The Greek historian, Herodotus claimed that the Phoenicians had circumnavigated Africa

Some theorize that the Phoenicians may have even made it to the Americas. This is theory is generally not accepted.

The Persian Empire

Persians Cyrus the Great 559-529 BCE Established the Persian Empire Extended from N. Africa to India Allowed people to keep their customs

Persians Darius the Great 522-486 BCE Established large network of roads The Royal Road Created postal system Used a single currency Appointed governors to run sections of the empire Called Satraps

Persians Zoroastrianism Based on the teachings of Zoroaster Monotheistic Religion Belief in one god God was named Ahura Mazada Good actions and thoughts lead to immortality Tolerant of other religions

Closure What legendary achievement did Nebuchadnezzar construct in Babylon? Why did the Phoenicians focus on trade by sea for their livelihood? Why were the Phoenicians known as carriers of civilization?