Early Civilizations of the Middle East World Studies April 11

I. Fertile Crescent Called Mesopotamia (land between the rivers) Curved slice of land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf Bound by the Jordan River in the west, Tigris and Euphrates in the east = good soil

II. The Sumerians were the first civilization ~3000 BC Displayed the characteristics of a civilization Cities (trade) Specialized workers (scribes, artisans) Writing (cuneiform) Advanced technology (plow, sailboat, bronze tools, irrigation) Complex institutions (government, religion) Political fighting weakens the city-states; nomadic raiders conquer them

III. The Phoenicians Peak ~1100 BC Very wealthy from trade Natural purple dye from snails Cedar Became excellent sailors, may have circumnavigated Africa Set up trade colonies on Mediterranean isles Simplified cuneiform into a 22 letter alphabet around 900 BC Basis for the later Greek and Roman alphabets

IV. The Assyrians Lived in northern Mesopotamia Started expanding ~850 BC Became strong by surviving multiple attacks by invaders and became invaders themselves Moved the people they conquered around to prevent uprisings Fell after 200 years when they lost a strong leader, Assurbanipal

V. The Chaldeans took their place Took up Babylon as the center of their empire ~500 BC Nebuchadnezzar was an early king who oversaw great building projects Hanging gardens = Wonder of the world Had a 7 story ziggurat, 300’ tall Used to observe stars, constellation movements, moon phases Mark time and predict the future