Empires and People of the

Fertile Crescent

Empires and People of the

Fertile Crescent

Empire Important Events, Inventions, Discoveries,

Characteristics, Leaders Contributions, Achievements

Hittites

2300BC-

1200 BC

Assyrians

900 BC-

612 BC

Chaldeans

612 BC -

539 BC

Persians

550 BC-

331 BC

• Came from Asia Minor

• Formed an empire around 1650 BC.

• Developed a strong military

tradition.

• Came from Northern Mesopotamia

and established a large empire

beginning around 850 BC

• Capital was Nineveh

• Fierce and ruthless warriors who used

intimidation against enemies.

• Conquered Assyrians in 612 BC

• Nebuchadnezzar was most famous

ruler.

• He rebuilt the city of Babylon.

• Captured the Hebrews and exiled

them to Babylon

• Use of iron weapons and used chariots in

battle gave them advantage over enemies.

• Integrated ideas of literature, art, politics,

and law to develop an advanced culture.

• Developed siege tactics, ladders,

tunnels, etc. to conquer cities.

• Developed the use of cavalry and

battering rams.

• Known as great builders and built an

impressive library in Nineveh.

• Developed first postal system

• Built the “Hanging Gardens of

Babylon”

• Outstanding astronomers.

• Developed the basis of astronomy

and astrology

• Came from modern day Iran

• Developed largest Fertile Crescent

Empire. Divided into provinces.

• Known for fair and wise rule.

• Darius and Cyrus were greatest rulers.

Cyrus allowed Hebrews to leave.

• Extensive road system. “Royal Highway”

stretched over 1600 miles.

• Developed standard coinage for trade.

• Zoroastrianism developed as a

monotheistic religion.

Hittite Empire

Hittite Empire

Hittites

Assyrian Empire

Assyrian Empire

Chaldean Empire

Chaldeans

Nebuchadnezzar

Hanging Gardens

Persian Empire

Persian Empire

Persian Empire

Cyrus’ Tomb Cyrus the Great

Zoroastrianism

Zoroaster Kaba Zoroaster

Phoenician Empire

Phoenician Empire – Major Cities

Byblos

Tyre

Sidon

Carthage

Phoenician Trade

•Wine

•Weapons

•Precious metals

•Ivory

•Slaves

•Purple Dye – Very

expensive to make.

Became a royal color.

The Greatest Legacy of Phoenicia

The Hebrews (Jews, Israelites)

Abraham – Father of Hebrew people

•Came from Ur in Sumer

•Established a covenant

with God

•God promised Canaan

to the Hebrews if they

kept the covenant

The Hebrews (Jews, Israelites)

Moses

•Hebrews had been held captive in

Egypt for several hundred years.

•Moses led them out of Egypt in

the Exodus

•Moses received the Ten

Commandments which became

the basis of Hebrew law.

•Believed to have authored the

first five books of the Bible called

the Torah.

King Solomon

The Hebrews (Jews, Israelites)

•Most powerful of Israeli kings.

•Beautified the capital city of

Jerusalem.

•His greatest legacy was the

building of a great temple in

Jerusalem.

•After his death, the Israeli

kingdom split with Israel in the

north and Judea in the south.

The Babylonian Captivity

The Hebrews (Jews, Israelites)

•Chaldean king Nebuchadnezzar

conquered Jerusalem in 586.

•Most Hebrews were exiled to

Babylon.

•He destroyed Solomon’s Temple.

•Persian King Cyrus allowed the

Jews to return to Jerusalem and

rebuild the temple.