MAJOR 8: WORLD HISTORY I

Republic of the Philippines

PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY STATE UNVERSITY
(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological University)
Iba, Zambales, Philippines

THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

Lesson III: Part II (c and d)

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the discussion, the students should be able to:
a. distinguish the distributions of the Aryans, Hittites, Lydians, Phoenicians,
and Hebrews; and
b. describe the domination of Assyrian Empire, Babylonian Empire,
Chaldeans, and Persians.
Introduction:
The Near East is generally regarded as the "cradle of civilization" as many
milestones in human history, such as the earliest agriculture, writing, and cities, derived
from this region.
The Near East is traditionally regarded by archaeologists and ancient historians as
the region of southwest Asia, specifically the area encircled by the Mediterranean Sea,
the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Red Sea and the Persian/Arabian Gulf. In modern
times this region includes the countries of Israel/Palestine,
Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and western Iran. Some scholars also
include Cyprus and Transcaucasia (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan) in their definition of
the Near East, though these should probably be considered "eastern Mediterranean" and
"the Caucasus" respectively. Egypt, though certainly a player in terms of Near Eastern
ancient history, is often excluded from traditional definitions of Near East. For modern
political scientists and journalists, the term "Middle East" is used to refer to the same
geographic area.
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Discussion:
PART II (c)
ARYAN
Aryan is a designation originally meaning “civilized”, “noble”, or “free” without
reference to any ethnicity. It was first applied as a self-identifying term by a migratory
group of people from Central Asia later known as Indo-Iranians (who settled on the Iranian
Plateau) and, later, applied to Indo-Aryans (who traveled south to settle northern India).
TIMELINE:
1,750 BCE -- ARYANS ARRIVED
The Aryans migrated from their ancestral home near the Caucusus mountains,
north of the Black Sea in Central Asia (near modern day Russia). They entered the Indus
Valley through the fabled Khyber Pass. The Khyber Pass cuts through the Hindu
Kush Mountains in Pakistan, India's neighbor to the northwest.
Did Aryan warriors in chariots conquer the walled cities and force the Harappans
to flee? Until recently, that's the story that History books told. New research, however,
suggests that when the Aryans arrived in the Indus Valley, Harappan cities had already
laid in ruin for over 200 years.

1600 BCE – SANSKRIT

The language Sanskrit was created. This is
significant because the Vedas are written in Sanskrit
and that language was established by the Aryans
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1500 BCE – CASTE SYSTEM

The caste system or complex form of
social organization was created. There were
four distinct varnas or classes:

1. Brahmins (priests, scholars, teachers)

2. Ksatriya (warriors, nobles, rulers)
3. Vaisya (traders and farmers)
4. Sudra (workers and artisans)

In the beginning, these were just

occupations. As Indian society became more
complex, however, these classes developed
into what was later known as the caste system. A caste is a social class whose members
are identified by their job. Early on, you could move from group to group. That changed
over time, however, until a person’s occupation or group depended upon birth.

1500 – 1000 BCE – VEDIC AGE

Aryans settled into northern India, bringing their religious traditions. This is
important because, Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism were written during this time.
This age brought scriptures and religious ideas that are still practiced today.

1200 BCE – VEDAS The Aryans expressed their beliefs and daily life in Vedas. This is
important because it was the base of their religion and everyday lives'.
Aryan beliefs, rituals, and daily life are described in the four Vedas. The Vedas,
written in Sanskrit, are a collection of poems and sacred hymns, composed in about 1500
BCE. Veda means knowledge.
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1000 BCE – ARYAN EXPANSION

The Aryans expanded their civilization into the Ganges Valley. This allowed them
to spread their religion and culture with more people.

700 BCE – ARYAN TERRITORIES

Aryan settlements formed into sixteen small independent states. This is important
because it allowed them to govern themselves in smaller sections extending the power
to more land.
The people in the Vedic period lived in straw and wooden huts. Some homes were
made of wood, but not until later, during the Epics Period.

700 BCE – ARYAN BELIEFS

Aryan beliefs were used to create the Upanishads texts
which formed Hinduism. This is important because Hinduism is a
popular religion today and the basis of it came from the Aryans.
Hinduism is a religion with ancient roots. It developed as
Aryan and native Indian beliefs merged. Today, Hinduism is
India's dominant religion and is still practiced by over 80% of the
population. The basics tenets of Hinduism can be found in the
Vedas. Notice that you can see the word "Indus" contained within
"Hinduism."
Hinduism began along the banks of the Indus River
roughly 4000 years ago. Hinduism teaches that there is one supreme God who is in
everything.

650 BCE – RAJAS

Rajas ruled each individual kingdom. Rajas acted as military leaders, chief priests,
lawmakers, and judges. This established a new form of ruling smaller portions of a whole
civilization.

321 BCE – DEATH OF A RAJA MAURYA

A rajah named Chandragupta Maurya killed the rajah of Magadha ultimately
causing the decline of the Aryan Civilization. Maurya killed the rajah of the most powerful
kingdom.
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320 BCE – ARYAN DECLINE

The Aryans were taken over by the Mauryan Empire. This ended the long reign of
the Aryan Empire.

HITTITE
They are repeatedly mentioned throughout the Hebrew Tanakh (also known as the
Christian Old Testament) as the adversaries of the Israelites and their god. According to
Genesis 10, they were the descendants of Heth, son of Canaan, who was the son of Ham,
born of Noah (Genesis 10: 1-6). The name they are known by today, therefore, comes
from the Bible and from the Amarna Letters of Egypt which reference a "Kingdom of
Kheta" identified today as the 'Kingdom of Hatti' (the designation the land of the Hittites
was known by) but their own documents refer to them as Nesili, as do others of the time.

TIMELINE:
1700 BCE – THE START OF HITTITE EMPIRE
The Hittite civilization began when they invaded the region of the Hatti people who
lived-in present-day Turkey. Probably originating from the area beyond the Black Sea,
the Hittites first occupied central Anatolia.

1650 BCE – REIGN OF HATUSSILIS

Hattusilis the First extended the Hittite empire and showed control.
This is important because Hattusilis was the first Hittite king and he showed a great deal
of power and control.
During his reign, the Hattusha Capitol was established.

1595 BCE – HITTITES CAPTURES BABYLON

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The Hittites captured Babylon and Mali. This event is important because it shows
how the Hittite empire expanded.

1530 BCE – TELIPINUS TAKES OVER

Telipinus takes control of the empire after Mursilis dies. This is important because
it shows who regained stability after the death of a king.

1500 BCE– IRON AGE

The Hittites were the first people to utilize iron. They
used it to perfect the wheel and build their chariots. This
information is important because it explains how the Hittites
used their resources.

1486 BCE – AMMUNA RULES THE HITTITE EMPIRE

King Ammuna takes over and is named the worst king ever.
This event is significant due to the decline of the Hittite empire.

1344 BCE - 1322 BCE -- REIGN OF KING SUPPILULIUMA

The Hittite Empire was at its best under the reign of King Suppiluliuma I.
The peak of the empire's success was with the kings Suppiluliuma I and his son Mursili
II. In this time period the empire had reached it highest stability in which they had the
highest amount of power/ ( land,armed forces, best government ).

1295 BCE – NEW CAPITOL

The capitol is moved to Tarhuntassa after continued threats.
This shows how desperate the Hittites were to regain control.
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1275 BCE – THE BATTLE OF KADESH

This was the greatest chariot battle of all
time and it was fought between the Hittites
and the Egyptians. This battle was
important because it brought out a peace
treaty between the Hittites and the
Egyptians.

1258 BCE – THE TREATY OF KADESH

The Treaty of Kadesh was a peace
treaty between the Egyptians and the
HIttites.
This treaty shows the outcome of the battle
and the relationship between the Egyptians
and Hittites.

1200 BCE – THE FALL OF EMPIRE

The Phrygians overthrew the Hittites.
This explains how the Hittite civilization fell.

LYDIA
The word Lydia is derived from the name of Lydus – grandson of Manes --
according to Herodotus. Lydia was a region of western Asia Minor which prospered due
to its natural resources and position on trading routes between the Mediterranean and
Asia.

TIMELINE:
1200 BCE – THE START OF LYDIAN EMPIRE
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Lydia arises as a Neo-Hittite kingdom. Lydians occupied the western region of

Asia Minor (Anatolia) in the Hermus and Cayster Valleys.

1185 BCE- 687 BCE – HERACLID DYNASTY

Heraclid dynasty rules Lydia.

687 BCE – 546 BCE – MERMNAD DYNASTY

The Mermnad dynasty rules Lydia.
During this dynasty, King Gyges rules Lydia and expands its
borders. Sardis becomes Lydian capital. Lydia, with its capital at Sardis, rose to its
greatest prominence under this reign.

c. 62B BCE – LYDIA CONQUERS PHYRGIA

Lydians drives back the Cimmerians and conquers Phrygia.
Phrygia was the name of an ancient Anatolian kingdom (12th-7th century BCE)
and, following its demise, the term was then applied to the general geographical area it
once covered in the western plateau of Asia Minor.
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609 BCE – 560 BCE – MINTING OF FIRST

COINS
Reign of Alyattes of Lydia. Minting of first
coins made from electrum. These roughly made
coins were small lumps of electrum (an alloy of
gold and silver) or pure silver and gold which were
stamped with a design of a lion and an ox.

28 May 585 BCE – MEDIA VERSUS LYDIA

A battle between Media and Lydia broke off immediately as a result a total
eclipse of the sun and the two armies made peace. The eclipse was successfully
predicted by Thales of Miletus.

560 BCE – 547 BCE – REIGN OF CROESUS

Lydia thrived even more under the last Mermnad king, Croesus. His wealth, it is
said, came from the sands of the River Pactolus in which the legendary
King Midas washed his hands to rid himself of the 'Midas Touch' (which turned everything
he laid hands on into gold) and in so doing, the legend says, made the sands of the river
rich with gold.

560 BCE -- ORACLES

The oracles of Delphi and Thebes both tell King Croesus of Lydia that if he
attacks the Medes, he will destroy a great empire. Seeing this as a good omen, he goes
to war, loses, and the Lydian Empire is destroyed.

c. 550 BCE – c. 430 BCE – CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS AT EPHESUS

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
was constructed aided by King Croesus.
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c. 498 BCE – 334 BCE – DOWNFALL OF SARDIS (CAPITAL OF LYDIA)

Ionians and Greek allies invade and burn Sardis (capital of Lydia).
Sardis surrenders to Alexander the Great.

280 BCE – LYDIA AS PART OF SELEUCID EMPIRE

Lydia becomes a part of the Seleucid Empire.
The Seleucid Empire (312-63 BCE) was the vast political entity established
by Seleucus I Nicator (“Victor” or “Unconquered”, l. c. 358-281 BCE, r. 305-281 BCE),
one of the generals of Alexander the Great who claimed a part of
his empire after Alexander's death in 323 BCE.

133 BCE – LYDIA UNDER ROMAN RULE

Lydia and its capital Sardis comes under Roman rule.

17 BCE – AN EARTHQUAKE DESTROYS 12 CITIES

An earthquake destroys 12 cities in Lydia and affects Sardis.
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616 CE – THE END OF SARDIS

Sardis' civc life comes to an end. A Persian army penetrates the Roman defensive
lines that had been deployed in eastern Anatolia. Soon after, part of that region falls to
the Persians, INCLUDING SARDIS.

The Phoenician Civilization (1200BCE-146 BCE)

Phoenicia comes from the Greek word Phoiníkē meaning purple land. That is
because the Phoenicians were famous in their own time for their dark purple dye—a rare
and prized commodity.

Location
The Phoenicians Phoenicia was located on the Mediterranean coast, by present-
day Lebanon. By 1200 B.C., the Phoenicians had become known as great traders, setting
up trading posts in Italy, Spain, and North Africa.

Capital
. The most important of these earliest Phoenician city-states were in
Canaan: Ṣūr (Tyre), Ṣīdūn (Sidon) and Gebal—called “Byblos” by the ancient Greeks—
from which the Greek word biblos (book) was derived (eventually evolving into the English
word “Bible”).

Economy
The early Phoenician economy was known for:
 timber sales,
 woodworking,
 glass manufacturing,
 shipping of goods (like wine exports to Egypt), and
 Making of dye

Religion and Culture

The Phoenician religion was polytheistic, and their gods required sacrifices to
forestall disaster, especially Baal, the God of Storms, and his consort Tanit.
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Government
The government system can best be classified as a sort of oligarchical republic.
Two chief magistrates called suffetes were chosen by the noble families (or perhaps
elected by a popular vote) to preside for one year over a Senate made up of the
Carthaginian aristocracy.

Decline and Fall

The Phoenician home city-states
were periodically under the thumb of
one Eastern conqueror after another
from roughly 900 to 332 BCE. They
were never strong enough to hold off
the powerful armies from Assyria,
Babylon, and Persia (although they
were often rich enough to buy them off).
Beginning
in 334 BCE
with the
siege of
Tyre, Alexander the Great took the Phoenician city-states in
the Eastern Mediterranean one by one, ending their on-
again, off-again independence. They became
Macedonian/Greek and lost their identity as Phoenician.

Legacy
Phoenicians were revered as great mariners by their
contemporaries. They are believed to have been the first
Mediterranean culture to reach Britain.
The most important Phoenician contribution to Western
civilization was their writing system that evolved from a North
Semitic proto-alphabet.
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THE HEBREWS (2000 BCE – 70 AD)

The Hebrew are also called Jews and Israelites They were natives of
Mesopotamia. They were nomads, and lived in tents, herding flocks of goats and sheep,
using donkeys, mules, and camels as beasts of burden.

Location
The Hebrews installed themselves in Palestine, directly to the south of Phoenicia.
In other words, between the Mediterranean Sea, the river Jordan, the Dead Sea, the
mountains of Lebanon and the Sinai Peninsula.

Origin
The Hebrews were born in Mesopotamia, specifically of Abraham and his clan,
who settled themselves in Palestine. Originally, this place was called Canaan, with its
respective inhabitants called Canaanites. Many years later, a tribe of Aryan origins called
the Philistines arrive, naming the area Philistia (the origin of “Palestine”). Finally, the
Hebrews arrive, who did not have great relevance, but still remain current, above all their
religion.
History of the Hebrew People
1. Patriarchs
This is the name used in the time in which
the tribes were governed by the elders, called
patriarchs.
– The period is also called the time of the
pilgrimage in the desert (Exodus)
– The elders govern, as wisdom was gained by
experience
Abraham
Jacob
Moses

2. Judges
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These people fought for consolidation in the Promised Land where they were to
settle permanently. The most celebrated judges were:
Gideon
Samson
Samuel

3. Kings
Period in which the Hebrews were governed by a King, arose because of the need
to unify and defend themselves against their enemies, the Philistines on the coast and
the nomads of the desert.
Saul (1117 B.C.)
David (1077 B.C.)
Solomon (1037 B.C.)
Jeroboam (931 B.C.)
Cultural Customs in the Ancient Hebrew Civilization
 They valued music and employed it in religious ceremonies.
 There were no paintings nor sculptures for fear that they would fall into idolatry.
 The Bible mentions music, dance, and poetry, being three disciplines which are
intimately related and which were used in worship, as a demonstration of joy and
in order to honor the Creator.
 The Hebrews dedicated themselves to agriculture and raising livestock.
 The characteristic crops were olives and grapevines, and they also obtained
legumes and lentils.
 They also worked in ceramics and made numerous textiles of wool and linen.
 Their characteristic dress was a tunic which reached the feet.
Achievements and Contributions to Humanity
 Religion
 Literature
Art in the Ancient Hebrew Civilization
 Literacy works (The Psalms, Proverbs, nuptial songs of the Song of Songs, the
Chronicles, Genesis, Exodus, Judges, the Kings and other books denominated the
Books of Wisdom, like Ecclesiastes)
 Valued music and employed it in their religious ceremonies.
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 Architecture stood out, within it the palaces, the homes of the nobles and the
temples.
Economy and activities
 Agriculture and Raising Livestock
 Crops
 Commerce
Society
 The Israelite society was intimately related to
their religion.
 The nucleus of the Hebrew society is the
family, which is patriarchal.
 The father is the highest authority.
 Slaves also existed; they were obtained by
buying them or as prisoners of war.
 In their time as nomads, the Hebrews lived in
tents with little furniture.
 They lived in houses made of stone,
surrounded by gardens, forming settlements.
Religion of the Hebrews:
Monotheistic religion (belief in only one God: Yahweh or Jehovah): The Hebrew
people had the conviction of believing in only one universal God, Jehovah, creator of all
things
1.The Decalogue:
Comprised of the Ten Commandments which Jehovah gave to Moses on Mount
Sinai.

2. Religious festivals:
a. Feast of the Passover: Commemorating the flight from Egypt;
b. Feast of Pentecost: Record of the reception of the commandments of God’s
Law; and
c. Feast of tabernacles: Record of the nomad life in the desert

3. The Prophets
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They were independent men because of their origin in the priestly caste; they
publicly criticized actions which they judged contrary to the Hebrew beliefs.

4. The Bible (1657 B.C.)

Comprised of two parts:
The Old Testament deals with the Hebrew history, customs and traditions.
New Testament: deals with the life of Jesus, acts of the apostles, etc.

Dispersion of the Jewish people

1. Sects
The destruction of the kingdom of the Jews in the 6th Century B.C. generated
distinct sects. Thus we have:
 Sadducees.- Supporters of the Roman customs: Wealthy class which
denied the immortality of the soul.
 Pharisees.- of a certain nationalistic spirit, hopeful in the Messiah, and
considered themselves the only interpreters of the Law.
 Essenes.- They formed small communities, where a severe morality ruled
and the principles of Moses were applied to the letter of the law.
 Zealots.- They opposed the conquest of Palestine by the Romans. They
advocated violence and the extermination of the invaders.
2. The Diaspora (dispersion)
In the year 70 A.D. the Roman emperor Titus seized Jerusalem: many Jews were
sold as slaves and the rest were expelled from their country, dispersing throughout all the
regions of the Roman Empire (Diaspora).

HIGHLIGHT OF PART II (c):

MAJOR CONTRIBUTION/S
Aryans Hinduism
Hittites Iron, First-ever Treaty
Lydian Coinage
Phoenicians Phoenician Alphabet
Hebrews Idea of Monotheism
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PART II (d)

THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE

The Assyrians were one of the major peoples to live in Mesopotamia during ancient
times. They lived in northern Mesopotamia near the start of the Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers. The Assyrian Empire rose and fell several times throughout history.

Map of the growth of the neo-Assyrian Empire

THE FIRST RISE

The Assyrians first rose to power when the Akkadian Empire fell. The Babylonians
had control of southern Mesopotamia and the Assyrians had the north. One of their
strongest leaders during this time was King Shamshi-Adad. Under Shamshi-Adad the
empire expanded to control much of the north and the Assyrians grew wealthy. However,
after Shamshi-Adad's death in 1781 BC, the Assyrians grew weak and soon fell under
control of the Babylonian Empire.
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THE SECOND RISE

The Assyrians once again rose to power from 1360 BC to 1074 BC. This time they
conquered all of Mesopotamia and expanded the empire to include much of the Middle
East including Egypt, Babylonia, Israel, and Cypress. They reached their peak under the
rule of King Tiglath-Pileser I.

THE NEO-ASSYRIAN EMPIRE

The final, and perhaps strongest, of the Assyrian Empires ruled from 744 BC to
612 BC. During this time Assyria had a string of powerful and capable rulers such as
Tiglath-Pileser III, Sargon II, Sennacherib, and Ashurbanipal. These leaders built the
empire into one of the most powerful empires in the world. They conquered much of the
Middle East and Egypt. Once again, it was the Babylonians who brought down the
Assyrian Empire in 612 BC.

KING TIGLATH-PILESER III SARGON II

SENNACHERIB ASHURBANIP
AL
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GREAT WARRIORS
The Assyrians were perhaps most famous for their fearsome army. They were a
warrior society where fighting was a part of life. It was how they survived. They were
known throughout the land as cruel and ruthless warriors. Two things that made the
Assyrians great warriors were their deadly chariots and their iron weapons. They made
iron weapons that were stronger than the copper or tin weapons of some of their enemies.
They were also skilled with their chariots which could strike fear in the hearts of their
enemies.

CHARIOTS

IRON WEAPONS
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The Library at Nineveh

The last great Assyrian king, Ashurbanipal, constructed a great library at the city of
Nineveh. He collected clay tablets from all over Mesopotamia. These included the stories
of Gilgamesh, the Code of Hammurabi, and more. Much of our knowledge of the Ancient
civilizations of Mesopotamia comes from the remains of this library. According to the
British Museum in London, just over 30,000 tablets have

The Library of Ashurbanipal

Tablet from the Library of
in the British Museum
Ashurbanipal

RISE OF THE BABYLONIAN EMPIRE

The city of Babylon had been a city-state in Mesopotamia for many years. After
the fall of the Akkadian Empire, the city was taken over and settled by the Amorites. The
city began its rise to power in 1792 BC when King Hammurabi took the throne. He was a
powerful and capable leader who wanted to rule more than just the city of Babylon. Not
long after becoming King, Hammurabi began to conquer other city-states in the area.
Within a few years, Hammurabi had conquered all of Mesopotamia including much of the
Assyrian lands to the north.
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THE CITY OF BABYLON

Under Hammurabi's rule, the city of Babylon became the most powerful city in the
world. Located on the banks of the Euphrates River, the city was a major trade hub
bringing together new ideas and products. Babylon also became the largest city in the
world at the time with as many as 200,000 people living there at its peak. At the center of
the city was a large temple called a ziggurat. This temple looked something like a pyramid
with a flat top and archeologists think that it was 300 feet tall! There was a wide street
leading from the gates to the center of the city. The city was also famous for its gardens,
palaces, towers, and artwork. It would have been an amazing sight to see. The city was
also the cultural center of the empire. It was here that art, science, music, mathematics,
astronomy, and literature were able to flourish.

THE CITY OF BABYLON

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Hammurabi's Code
King Hammurabi established firm laws called Hammurabi's Code. This was the
first time in history that the law was written down. It was recorded on clay tablets and tall
pillars of stones called steles. Hammurabi’s code consisted of 282 laws. Many of them
were quite specific, but were meant as guidelines to be used in similar circumstances.
There were laws governing commerce such as wages, trade, rental rates, and the sale of
slaves. There were laws governing criminal behavior describing the penalties for stealing
or damaging property. There were even laws governing adoption, marriage, and divorce.

CODE OF HAMMURABI

FALL OF BABYLON
After Hammurabi died, his sons took over. However, they were not strong leaders
and soon Babylon grew weak. In 1595 the Kassites conquered Babylon. They would rule
for 400 years. Later, the Assyrians would take over. It wasn't until 612 BC that Babylonia
once again rose to power as the ruler of the empire over Mesopotamia. This second
Babylonian Empire is called the neo-Babylonian Empire.
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CHALDEANS TOOK OVER THE ASSYRIANS

Around 616 BC King Nabopolassar took advantage of the fall of the Assyrian
Empire to bring the seat of the empire back to Babylon. It was his son Nebuchadnezzar
II who led Babylon back to its former glory.

The Rule of Nebuchadnezzar II

Nebuchadnezzar II ruled for 43 years. He was a great military leader and expanded
the empire to include much of the Middle East all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. This
included the conquering of the Hebrews and taking them into slavery for 70 years as told
in the Bible. Under Nebuchadnezzar's rule, the city of Babylon and its temples were
restored. It also became the cultural center of the world, just like during Hammurabi's rule.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Nebuchadnezzar II built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. This was a large series
of terraces that rose to around 75 feet high. They were covered with all sorts of trees,
flowers, and plants. The gardens is considered one

HANGING GARDEN OF BABYLON

Fall of Neo-Babylonia/Chaldeans
After Nebuchadnezzar II died, the empire began to fall apart once again. In 529
BC, the Persians conquered Babylon and made it part of the Persian Empire.
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TURN OF THE PERSIAN

The Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire, lasted from
approximately 559 B.C.E. to 331 B.C.E. At its height, it encompassed the areas of
modern-day Iran, Egypt, Turkey, and parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Origins of the Persian Empires

The Persian Empire started as a collection of semi-nomadic tribes who raised
sheep, goats and cattle on the Iranian plateau.
Cyrus the Great—the leader of one such tribe—began to defeat nearby kingdoms,
including Media, Lydia and Babylon, joining them under one rule. He founded the first
Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire, in 550 B.C.
The first Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great soon became the world’s first
superpower. It united under one government three important sites of early human
civilization in the ancient world: Mesopotamia, Egypt’s Nile Valley and India’s Indus
Valley.
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CYRUS THE GREAT

Persian King Unite their Empire

Persian rulers sought ways to tie the vast empire together. They improved and
extended the Assyrians’ roads to link distant cities and speed travel by soldiers,
merchants, and messengers. Cyrus the Great set up the first efficient postal system, using
relays of mounted messengers. The 1,200-mile-long Royal Road from Sardis to Susa had
more than eighty stations where couriers could change horses.

ROYAL ROAD FROM SARDIS TO SUSA

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Everywhere in the empire the same coins and same system of weights and
measures were used. Government officials and merchants throughout the empire
commonly used the same language, Aramaic, in official business.
To govern the empire, Darius divided it into twenty provinces and appointed
governors to supervise them. Through inspector-spies known as “Eyes and Ears” of the
King,” the ruler kept track of these governors. Officials were often chosen from the local
people, another practice that helped hold the empire together. The Persians allowed the
different peoples in their empire to keep their local customs, beliefs, and traditions. They
had only to pay their taxes and provide recruits for the army.
Religious Beliefs of the Persians
Most Near Eastern peoples believed in many gods who helped or rewarded people
in exchange for sacrifices. About the sixth century B.C.E a Persian religious teacher
named Zoroaster began to teach that human beings had a choice between doing good
and doing evil. He saw the world as a struggle between these forces. Ahura Mazda, the
Wise Lord, was seen as the supreme god, standing for truth, goodness, and light. Ahriman
was the Evil Spirit, representing darkness.
According to Zoroaster, Ahura Mazda and the forces of good would triumph at the
end of the world, when the earth would be destroyed by fire. Those who had chosen to
follow the way of truth and goodness would, he said, enter a realm of eternal light and
goodness, while others would be punished.
Zoroaster’s follower considered him the first of several great prophets and the
author of their sacred book, the Zend-Avesta. The Persian king made Zoroastrianism the
official religion of the empire, and it spread widely in the Near East. The religion has
endured through the centuries and is still follower in present-day Iran and India.

ZOROASTER
 MAJOR 8: WORLD HISTORY I

TIMELINE:
1900 BCE - THE ASSYRIANS RISE TO POWER IN NORTHERN MESOPOTAMIA.
1792 BCE - Hammurabi becomes king of Babylon. He establishes the code of
Hammurabi and Babylon soon takes over much of Mesopotamia.
1781 BCE - King Shamshi-Adad of the Assyrians dies. The First Assyrian Empire is
soon taken over by the Babylonians.
1750 BCE - Hammurabi dies and the First Babylonian Empire begins to fall apart.
1595 BCE - The Kassites take the city of Babylon.
1360 BCE - The Assyrians once again rise in power.
1250 BCE - The Assyrians begin to use iron weapons and chariots.
1225 BCE - The Assyrians capture Babylon.
1115 BCE - The Second Assyrian Empire reaches its peak under the rule of King
Tiglath-Piliser I.
1077 BCE - Tiglath-Piliser I dies and the Assyrian Empire becomes weaker for a time.
744 BCE - The Assyrian Empire becomes strong once again under the rule of Tiglath-
Piliser III.
721 BCE - King Sargon II takes control of Assyria. The empire grows stronger.
709 BCE - Sargon II takes control of the city of Babylon.
705 BCE - Sargon II dies and Sennacherib becomes king. He moves the capital to
Nineveh.
668 BCE - Ashurbanipal becomes the last great King of Assyria. He establishes a great
library in the city of Nineveh.
626 BCE - Ashurbanipal dies and Assyria begins to crumble.
616 BCE - Once again, it was the Babylonians who brought down the Assyrian Empire
612 BCE - Nabopolassar takes control of Babylon back from the Assyrians and crowns
himself king. The neo-Babylonian empire begins.
604 BCE - Nabopolassar dies and Nebuchadnezzar II becomes King of Babylon. He will
rule for 43 years and bring the Babylonian Empire to its peak.
550 BCE - Cyrus the Great rises to power and the Persian Empire begins.
539 BCE - Cyrus the Great takes the city of Babylon and lets the Jewish people return
to Israel.
 MAJOR 8: WORLD HISTORY I

522 BCE - Darius I becomes King of Persia. He expands the empire and divides it up
into states each ruled by a governor called a satrap.
518 BCE - Darius I establishes the capital of the Persian Empire at Persepolis.
490 BCE - Darius I attacks the Greeks. He is defeated at the Battle of Marathon.
 MAJOR 8: WORLD HISTORY I

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