1. Chapter 3 Section 3: The Assyrian and Persian Empires
Hundred of years after Hammurabi’s death in 1750 BCE the Assyrians united the region again.
The Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian Empires
Assyria lies north of Babylon along the Tigris River
A Military State
After Babylonia fell, the Assyrians fought against a steady stream of invaders.
They became fierce warriors
World’s first cavalry
Soldiers who fight while riding horses
Used iron weapons and tools
By mid 800’s BCE- strong military state
By mid 600’s BCE- became an empire

2. Divided into 70 smaller units called provinces
Governing the Empire
Divided into 70 smaller units called provinces
Assigned a governor to each province
Ashurbanipal made Neneveh the capital
Built a library- 20,000 tablets survive today
Babylon Restored
After Ashurbanipal’s death
Civil war and enemy attacks weaken empire
604 BCE Nebuchadnezzar became king of Babylon
Captured Jerusalem and destroyed Jewish temple
Became known as the Neo-Babylonian empire
Built large buildings, great walls, gates, and temples
Built Hanging Gardens of Babylon

3. Rise of the Persian Empire
Babylon’s thick walls and strong gates could not keep out conquerors
In 539 BCE, Persian empire took control
Within 30 years, Persian empire became the largest empire the world had ever seen
Cyrus the Great
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In 550 BCE, Cyrus the Great conquered the Medes
Rapid growth was due to it’s highly skilled standing army
A permanent army of professional soldiers
10,000 elite soldiers known as the “Immortals”
Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus treated the Babylonians well
Let them keep their own customs and religions
Allowed Jewish people to return to Jerusalem
Further Expansion
Cyrus died in battle in 530 BCE
Son Cambyses took over and continued to expand empire
Cambyses died and Darius took the throne by force
Empire grew larger

4. Persia’s Government and Religion
Darius gave local people some control over their government
Local Self-Government
Divided empire into satrapies, or provinces and chose a leader for each one
Keep their local laws and traditions
Central Control
Darius improved government finances
Each province paid tribute according to it’s wealth
Created common currency- gold coins
New Roads
Darius built roads
Set-up postal stations along the 1,500 Great Royal Road
took three months from one end to the other
Religion
By 600 BCE, Persian man named Zoroaster taught that there was one supreme god, Ahura Mazda
Developed into Zorastrianism and became Persian’s official religion
Sacred text is the Avesta
Universe is in a state of struggle between the forces of good and evil
People have an important role to play in this conflict working for good
Afterlife existed

5. Give us a glimpse of daily life Seals
Arts of Mesopotamia
Give us a glimpse of daily life
Seals
Used carved stone seals to identify the owner of an object
Sculptures
Looked like real humans
Created a form of sculpture called relief
The scene sticks out from the surface of the base material
Stele is a carved stone slab or pillar that stands on end
Stele of Hammurabi’s code is a famous example- pg 122

6. Fertile Crescent Peoples
Name
Time Period
Major Accomplishments

7. Chapter 3 Section 3 Quiz What do cavalry soldiers do? fire cannons
fix chariots
march in formation
ride horses
What was new technology used by the Assyrians?
farming
glass blowing
ironwork
resettling conquered peoples
What is a permanent force of professional soldiers called?
charioteers
“The Immortals”
special forces
standing army
Payment made to show loyalty to a stronger power is called
a seal
taxes
tribute
currency
What is a stele?
A cylinder seal
colorful tiles
a stone slab
a ziggurat garden