1. In France it is known as “La Fertile Croissant”
The Fertile Crescent
In France it is known as
“La Fertile Croissant”

2. Neolithic Revolution Neolithic means “new stone”
The revolution marked the change from hunting/gathering to systematic agriculture.
Growing crops created permanent settlements.

3. Mesopotamia
The Fertile Crescent stretches from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf
It was an area receptive to agriculture
Within the Fertile Crescent was Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia means “land between the rivers”
In this case, the Tigris and Euphrates

4. Sumer: The First Empire
The city-state Sumer (Sumerians) was conquered in 2300 B.C.E by Sargon, ruler of neighboring Akkad
He gained control of the first known empire in history
Just as quickly, his empire crumbled from attacks by foreign invaders
Most of the invaders had no intention of staying after looting the riches
Sumer is noted for its terraced pyramids known as ziggurats

5. Hammurabi
The next great ruler of Mesopotamia was Hammurabi (1790 B.C.E.)
He set about unifying Mesopotamia – a central piece was his code
He did not create many new laws but codified existing Sumerian laws

6. Hammurabi’s Code
His intent was to communicate to all the legal principles of the empire
He had artisans carve 300 laws on a pillar and spread copies of the law
The laws were tough: “an eye for eye”, a life for a life”
The code covered both criminal law and civil law

7. The Hittites The Hittites are notable for extracting iron from ore
This allowed the Hittites to mass-produce iron weapons
They were superior to copper or bronze weapons and cheaper to produce
Mesopotamia was under brief control – but lost as iron technology spread

8. The Babylonians
Babylon rose in prominence under King Nebuchadnezzar (612 B.C.E.)
Under Nebuchadnezzar the empire spread from the Gulf to Mediterranean
King Nebuchadnezzar was known for the “Hanging Gardens of Babylon”

9. Persian Empire
It was under Darius ( B.C.E.) when the Persian Empire grew
He was a conqueror, but policy was centered on tolerance of the defeated
He united the empire through codified laws, extensive road-building
He used these roads to visit all points of the empire
Darius also improved trade through the creation of coins

10. Religion in Persia
The first notable monotheistic religion was born in the Persian Empire
Zoroaster was a Persian thinker who rejected the many Persian gods
The religion – Zoroastrianism – believed in a single god (Ahuru Mazda)
This god was in constant battle with the prince of lies and evil (Ahriman)
He believed in a Judgment Day that would determine paradise or eternal suffering
The concepts of heaven, hell, and judgment day were later adopted by two major religions in the Middle East – Christianity and Islam