1. Empires of the Fertile Crescent

2. Hittites War-like people from Asia Minor
Invaded Mesopotamia c BC

3. (Hittite) Achievements
First to smelt iron
Most important – Law & Government
Only major crimes received the death penalty
People paid fines
Kings were chief-priests
Yet, they allowed religious freedom

4. Hittites
When they invaded, they conquered and looted Babylon (c BC)

5. Hittites Babylon was TOO FAR!! Remained powerful until c. 1200 BC
Only controlled Babylon for a short period of time before withdrawing west
Remained powerful until c BC
Entire region began to suffer invasions from the Sea Peoples

7. Assyrians Semitic-speaking people from northern Mesopotamia
As early as 2000 BC...
Settled city of Ashur on upper Tigris
Adapted many elements of Sumerian culture

8. Assyrians Dominated by others for centuries
Briefly established an empire in the 1300s
Gradually recovered, then began dominating the area
900 BC – 650 BC
Expanded from Fertile Crescent into Egypt

9. Assyrians
At height, included all of Mesopotamia, Syria, Palestine, and the Nile River Valley

10. Capital City Ninevah Great Wall HUGE double wall
70 ft high – some parts were 148 ft thick!!
Stretched 7.5 miles around the city

11. Fall of Assyria 635 BC – Civil War breaks out
Made it too weak to protect itself
612 BC - A large group led by the Chaldeans and the Medes captures and destroys Nineveh