1. Geography and Early History of the Middle East
Chapter 25
Geography and Early History of the Middle East

2. Do Now
The Middle East is often referred to as the crossroads of the world. Looking at your map, why do you think this is?

3. Crossroads of the World
Crossroads of 3 contintents
Middle Eastern Nations command vital sea routes
Suez Canal, Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits, Strait of Hormuz

4. 5 Regions of Middle East Northern Tier Arabian Peninsula
Anatolian Plateau
Fertile soil and large population
Ottoman Empire
Iranian Plateau
Dry and small population
Persian Empire
Arabian Peninsula
Vast Plateau 1/3 size of US
Fertile on mountainous southern coast

5. Fertile Crescent
Mesopotamia: the land between 2 rivers (Tigris and Euphrates) read Clash over the Euphrates pg 554
Few natural barriers and open to invaders

6. Nile Valley
Deserts to the east and west protected it from invaders
Sinai Peninsula connects Middle East
Maghreb
‘western isle’
Scarcity of water mean most live along Med. coast

7. Climate
Most of region is desert and people cluster in well-watered areas
Settlements are scattered
Water and rainfall is scarce
Shaduf, drip irrigation, and deslination plants (pg 613)

8. Oil
Unevenly Distributed means great economic differences between oil rich countries and those that lack

9. Ethnic Diversity Arabs
Majority and is anyone whose native language is Arabic
Most are Muslims
Turks
Iranians
Kurds
Islam is the majority religion
Christianity has it sects
Judaism is the most ancient

10. Map Study
Look over your map and prepare for map review…

11. Ticket Out
How has location contributed to cultural diversity in the Middle East?

12. Section 2: Early Civilizations
Sumerians
Located in Tigris-Euphrates delta
Lived on grains, dates, and fish
3500 BC formation of city-states
Own ruler and gods
Rivals fought each other

13. Religion Priests were most important Ziggurat Scribes
Collected taxes and performed ceremonial offerings to gods
Ziggurat
Tiered temple
Closer to the gods
Scribes
Pictographs evolved into cuneiform (wedged shaped symbols)

14. Achievements of Sumerians
Wheel
Sail
Plow
Accurate calendar
Arithmetic and geometry
Measurement on the #60
60 second minute/hour/ 360` circle

15. Warfare and Trade Nomads from highlands attracted to fertile land
Thousands of years of warfare and trade created rich blend of culture
1700 BC Babylonians and King Hammurabi
Law code
1500 BC Hittites from Anatolian Plateau invaded
Mastery of iron

16. Phoenicians Lebanon Commerce and trade “carriers of civilization”
Alphabet was simple and easy to learn

17. Persian Empire 500 BC ruled from Turkey to India Darius I
Divided empire into 20 provinces and Satrap (eyes and ears) served as governor
Allowed for diversity
Built roads and promoted trade
Answer Map Study on page 560
5 W’s Up Close 560

18. Greek Influence
Alexander the Great of Northern Greece conquered Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt
Legacy is known as the Hellenistic Civilization (blending of Greek and ancient Middle East)

19. Roman Conquest
Based in Italy and by 115 AD extned to throughout the Middle East
Trade Flourished from Persian Gulf to Atlantic Ocean
Byzantine Empire
330 AD Roman Empire split

20. Section 3 Do Now:
With a partner, complete as much of the religious organizer as you can without using the book.

21. Kingdom of Israel
Hebrews migrate into the Fertile Crescent between Mesopotamia and Egypt
1025 Form Kingdom of Israel
Under constant threat from invaders

22. 2 Great Kings King David King Solomon Skilled General
Unified all of Israel
King Solomon
Known for his Wisdom
Built Israel into a beautiful capital
Taxed heavily
930 BC death and revolts weakened Kingdom and forced to exile

23. Foreign Rule and the Persians
Persians control Fertile Crescent in 500 BC and allow Hebrews to return
Greeks and Romans also ruled for period of time
Romans force Jewish people to leave in 70 AD
diaspora

24. Teachings of Judaism Yahweh is the creator Torah is sacred book
Prophets are religious teachers reminding the people to live moral lives
Covenant with God (Chosen People)
10 Commandments

25. Rise of Christianity
Jewish prophets predicted a messiah would restore order
Some believed Jesus was the messiah
Roman Officials crucified Jesus

26. Spread of Christianity
New Testament is the collections of his teachings
Followers known as Christos (annointed)
Appealing because everyone could achieve salvation