1. ISRAEL, 2000 - 500 BCE Background
Nomadic herders and caravan drivers who developed a complex sedentary, agricultural civilization.
As they did so, their cult of a desert god evolved into an influential monotheistic religion.

2. ISRAEL, BCE
Location
Israel’s location makes it a crossroads for trade.
However, the area has few natural resources.

3. ISRAEL, BCE
Origins
The primary source of information is the Hebrew Bible
Biblical stories are probably compressed accounts of generations of nomads
E.g. Cain and Abel

4. ISRAEL, BCE
Exodus
The biblical account of the Egyptian captivity may be linked to the rise and fall of the Hyksos rulers of Egypt.
The period of Israelite slavery corresponds to the period of large-scale construction projects launched by several New Kingdom pharaohs.

5. ISRAEL, 2000 - 500 BCE Exodus (cont.)
The Exodus may reflect the memories of a migration from Egypt and nomadic life in the Sinai.
The cult of Yahweh, with its exclusive devotion to one god, is developed during the period of nomadism in the Sinai.

6. ISRAEL, 2000 - 500 BCE Settlement
The biblical account of Israelite settlement in the land of Canaan says that Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan and destroyed Jericho and other Canaanite cities.
The archeological evidence of what probably happened is that the nomadic Israelite tribes settled in the hills of Canaan, where they were joined by other groups and by refugees from a troubled Canaanite society.
Settlement

7. ISRAEL, 2000 - 500 BCE Rise of the Monarchy
Saul was anointed as the first king of Israel.
David, the second king, made Jerusalem the religious as well as the political center of the kingdom.
The Israelite monarchy reached the height of its power in the reign of King Solomon, who forged alliances and sponsored trade.
Solomon also expanded the bureaucracy and the army, and built the First Temple in Jerusalem; priesthood becomes wealthy/powerful.
Rise of the Monarchy

8. Fragmentation and Diaspora
ISRAEL, BCE
Fragmentation and Diaspora
Solomon’s death splits kingdom in half…
North eventually falls to the Assyrians and the South falls to Neo-Babylonians
Elites and craftsmen are deported to Babylonia…
Attempts are made to preserve Jewish religion and culture

9. The Phoenician City States
PHOENICIA, B.C.E.
The Phoenician City States
Descendants of the ancient inhabitants of Syria, Lebanon, and Israel who were pushed into the strip of land in modern Lebanon by 1100 B.C.E.
Established a number of small city-states that were deeply involved in commerce.
Major city-states were Byblos, Sidon, and Tyre.

10. PHOENICIA, B.C.E
Purple dye
Phoenician alphabet

11. Expansion into the Mediterranean
PHOENICIA, B.C.E.
Colonies established to secure natural resources (copper from Cyprus)
State enterprise and private initiative powered expansion
Huge response to the frequent and destructive invasions of the Assyrian Empire
Shortage of land to grow food for swelling population in Phoenician cities
Expansion into the Mediterranean

12. Carthage and it’s Commercial Empire
PHOENICIA, B.C.E.
Carthage and it’s Commercial Empire
The walled city was governed by two judges selected from upper-class families and by a senate that was dominated by the leading merchant families.
The navy was the most important arm of Carthaginian power.
Carthaginian foreign policy and military activity were in the service of trade and were deployed in enforcing a commercial monopoly in the Mediterranean and developing new trading opportunities.

13. PHOENICIA, 1200 -500 B.C.E. War and Religion
The Carthaginians made no attempt to build a territorial empire; their empire was an empire of trade routes and ports.
The Carthaginian military consisted of mercenary soldiers from the most warlike peoples in its dominions or from neighboring areas, commanded by Carthaginian officers.
Carthaginian religion involved the worship of capricious gods that needed to be appeased by sacrifice, including the sacrifice of Carthaginian children.