The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area

The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area

The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”

The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”

MesopotamiaMesopotamia Land between two rivers (Tigris & Euphrates Land between two rivers (Tigris & Euphrates

Rivers)Rivers) Located in southern IraqLocated in southern Iraq The flat land was vulnerable to attackersThe flat land was vulnerable to attackers

– City states:City states: cities that had control of cities that had control of surrounding landsurrounding land

– EX) EX) SumerSumer by 3000 B.C.E. had 12 city by 3000 B.C.E. had 12 city statesstates

SumeriansSumerians

Sumerian Religion - Polytheistic

Sumerian Religion - Polytheistic

Enki

Enki

Innana

Innana

Deciphering Cuneiform

Deciphering Cuneiform

Empire of HammurabiEmpire of Hammurabi1792 B.C.-1750 B.C.1792 B.C.-1750 B.C.

Great warrior; conquered most of Great warrior; conquered most of MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Code of Hammurabi:Code of Hammurabi: earliest code of law earliest code of law– collection of 282 laws; based on JUSTICEcollection of 282 laws; based on JUSTICE– Laws focused on the familyLaws focused on the family– ““Eye for an Eye” and “A tooth for a tooth”Eye for an Eye” and “A tooth for a tooth”– Penalties differed for the same crimePenalties differed for the same crime

Empire of HammurabiEmpire of Hammurabi1792-17501792-1750

Based in the city-state BabylonBased in the city-state Babylon Patriarchal society: dominated Patriarchal society: dominated

by menby men– Women’s duties were in the Women’s duties were in the

homehome

The Babylonian Empires

The Babylonian Empires

EgyptEgyptA. Stable civilizationA. Stable civilization

B. Lasted a long time B. Lasted a long time 2700 B.C.-1085 B.C.2700 B.C.-1085 B.C.

C. Very advanced; Nile C. Very advanced; Nile flooded regularlyflooded regularly

1. People planned for 1. People planned for this, and felt securethis, and felt secure

2. History divided into 2. History divided into 3 periods3 periods

Old Kingdom Old Kingdom 2700 B.C. -2200 B.C.2700 B.C. -2200 B.C. Pharaohs: powerful monarchs presided over the Pharaohs: powerful monarchs presided over the

kingdomkingdom Egyptians believed kingship was divineEgyptians believed kingship was divine

1. Pharaoh was equal to deity 1. Pharaoh was equal to deity

2. Polytheists: believed in many Gods2. Polytheists: believed in many GodsMiddle Kingdom Middle Kingdom 2200 B.C.-1652 2200 B.C.-1652 B.C. B.C. New Kingdom New Kingdom 1652 B.C.- 1085 1652 B.C.- 1085 B.C.B.C.

Egyptians learned to make bronze weapons and war chariotsEgyptians learned to make bronze weapons and war chariots

The Egyptians built a large empireThe Egyptians built a large empire

1. For a while the most powerful in SW Asia1. For a while the most powerful in SW Asia

2. But it grew too large2. But it grew too large

3. A number of people invaded3. A number of people invaded

Egyptian Social Hierarchy

Egyptian Social Hierarchy

An Egyptian Woman’s “Must-Haves”

An Egyptian Woman’s “Must-Haves”

PerfumePerfume

WhigsWhigs

MirrorMirror

Preparation for the Afterlife

Preparation for the Afterlife

Materials Used in Mummification

Materials Used in Mummification

1. Linen 6. Natron2. Sawdust 7. Onion3. Lichen 8. Nile Mud4. Beeswax 9. Linen Pads5. Resin 10. Frankincense

1. Linen 6. Natron2. Sawdust 7. Onion3. Lichen 8. Nile Mud4. Beeswax 9. Linen Pads5. Resin 10. Frankincense

Abraham’s GenealogyAbraham’s Genealogy

ABRAHAMABRAHAM SARAHSARAHHAGARHAGAR

IsaacIsaac

EsauEsauJacobJacob

12 Tribes of Israel

12 Tribes of Israel

Ishmael

Ishmael

12 Arabian Tribes

12 Arabian Tribes

Abraham 1900 B.C.EAbraham 1900 B.C.E

•Father of Israel- led his people out of Ur to Canaan

•Prophet: religious teacher sent from God

•Made a covenant (2-way promise with God)

• Monotheistic: belief in one god

•There was a DROUGHT -some fled to Egypt & were enslaved

•Father of Israel- led his people out of Ur to Canaan

•Prophet: religious teacher sent from God

•Made a covenant (2-way promise with God)

• Monotheistic: belief in one god

•There was a DROUGHT -some fled to Egypt & were enslaved

Moses: leader of the Israelites

Moses: leader of the Israelites

“Prince of Egypt”“Prince of Egypt” “Shepherd of His People”

“Shepherd of His People”

The ExodusThe Exodus

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt

“I am the Lord thy God…Thou shalt have

no other gods before me.” –Exodus 20:2-3

JudaismJudaism

•1st monotheistic religion – belief in 1 god

•Most live in Israel or US

•14,535,000 followers

•Symbol – Star of David

•Place of worship synagogue

•Leaders - rabbis

•1st monotheistic religion – belief in 1 god

•Most live in Israel or US

•14,535,000 followers

•Symbol – Star of David

•Place of worship synagogue

•Leaders - rabbis

synagogue in Karlsruhe, Germany

YahwehYahweh•Jewish God

•Creator & Ruler of the world

•Watches over, cares for/loves & protects his people

•holds them accountable for their actions

•Serve God by studying Torah & living by its teachings

•Jewish God

•Creator & Ruler of the world

•Watches over, cares for/loves & protects his people

•holds them accountable for their actions

•Serve God by studying Torah & living by its teachings

Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His

PeopleYahweh’s “Covenant” With His

People

The TorahThe Torah The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible. (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.

Contains laws & practices

The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible. (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.

Contains laws & practices