Seafaring Traders Extend Boundaries

I will be able to:

Describe the Minoan civilization Identify contributions of the PhoeniciansSummarize the impact of ancient tradeSummarize the beliefs of the Hebrews

                          

Knossos- A Thriving Trade Center

The capital of the Minoan people was Knossos. There was no evidence of fortification of the city which leads archeologists to believe that they lived fairy free from outside threats.

The Minoans controlled trade in the Aegean Sea.

Sent fine pottery, weapons and metal drinking cups to other lands.

Minoan style had an enormous influence on the art of Greece.

"Queen's Megaron" from Knossos.

Stairwell from Knossos.

"Toreador Fresco" from Knossos, c. 1450-1400B.C.

Bull Leapers of Knossos

Many works of Minoan art show young acrobatic leaps over the horns of angry bulls.

Likely linked to the legend of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth

http://www.galen-frysinger.org/echmoun.htm

Women in Minoan Society An earth goddess

seems to have headed all the gods of Crete

Women ruled over important religious ceremonies.

Minoan Cultures Mysterious End

Minoan cities were damaged in 1470 B.C. by a series of disasters.

A number of earthquakes rocked the island, destroying buildings. Then a volcano exploded on a nearby island.

That was followed by huge waves and clouds of white ash from the volcano’s fire. Good times.

The Minoan civilization ended about 1200 B.C.

The PhoeniciansThe Phoenicians created

separate city-states along the Mediterranean.

Highly skilled sailors and traders.

The Spread of Trade and Civilization

Developed ships that could survive in the open ocean.

Some scholars believe that they may have sailed to Great Britain and around the entire African continent.

Phoenician Ships

Commercial Outposts Around the Mediterranean

People came from around the ancient world to trade for the purple dye (murex)

Also traded wine, weapons, metals, ivory and slaves.

Phoenician Alphabet

Origins of Judaism The Hebrews regard ancient Palestine

(land also occupied by the Phoenicians) as the promised land

Believed that the land had been promised to them by God. Viva la Monotheism!

Time for a test of faith…

The First Covenant

Abraham promised that he and his people would always obey God.

God, in turn, promised to always protect them from their enemies.

God created a Covenant with Abraham. to move his family to “Israel”, where he would prosper.

The Exodus The Hebrews started looking for Israel.

Moved to Egypt, but over time they were made into slaves.

After many years, they left in a mass departure that Jews called the Exodus.

According to the sacred book of the Jews, a man named Moses led them out of Egypt. They wandered 40 years in a wilderness.

The Second CovenantDuring the Exodus,

Moses received from God the Ten Commandments.

For the second time, God promised to protect these people in return for their obedience to his laws.

•The Hebrews were organized into twelve groups, called tribes.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel

The Philistines The Philistines were another people who lived in

Canaan. They disliked the Hebrews and the Hebrews disliked them.

Much of what we know about the Philistines was written in the Torah which may be a little biased.

We do know that they had a military advantage over the Hebrews

The Judges Each tribe was separate

from the others, but in times of danger they would all get together under leaders called judges.

One of those judges was a woman named Deborah. Unusual for women in Hebrew society.

Duties of the Hebrews The Hebrews had other

leaders called prophets. Sent by God to tell the people how he wanted them to act.

Message of the prophets: 1. To worship God

2. To deal in just and fair ways with each

other.

Two Kingdoms of Israel From about 1020 to 922 B.C., the Hebrews were united

under three kings.

Saul: drove off enemy Philistines David: made Jerusalem the capital Solomon: built a magnificent temple to house the Ark of the Covenant (commandments).

After Solomon’s death, the kingdom split into two parts: Israel and Judea.

And they’re still fighting…

Assyria: The Mighty Military

Machine Assyrians became a

fierce military nation from fighting off constant invasions

Advanced technology and tactics give the Assyrians military superiority over their contemporaries.

Assyrian Military Power Used ballistas to launch

arrows over long distances.

Used portable pontoon bridges to cross streams and rivers.

War chariots with scythe wheels. Awesome!

Over, Under, and Through Assyrian sappers (soldiers

trained to dig tunnels under walls) undermine a city’s foundations.

They developed mobile siege towers and battering rams to weaken city walls.

Cruelty and Fear Tactics Once they conquered a city,

they treated the people with cruelty.

Those who were not killed in the initial attack were often impaled or beheaded.

Women and children were sold into slavery.

Administration of the Empire

The Assyrians collected heavy taxes and tribute from the conquered people.

King Sennacherib burned the city of Babylon and established his new capital: Nineveh.

He built a giant library of over 25,000 clay tablets, containing the writings of many ancient cultures.

The Death and Rebirth of Babylon

In 612 BC, the Medes and Chaldeans united and attacked the Assyrian capital.

Their armies burned Nineveh to the ground and rebuilt Babylon.

It is at this time that king Nebuchadnezzar built the hanging gardens, one of the wonders of the ancient world.

The Rise of Persia

Instead of using fear and cruelty, the Persians were tolerant diplomatic rulers

The Persians prosper from mineral wealth and trading opportunities in their Iranian homeland

Loved v. Feared? Cyrus gave strict orders to his generals not to

burn or pillage the cities that they conquered.

He believed in honoring local customs and religions. Instead of destroying the local temples, he himself knelt there and prayed.

Subject people were given great freedom.

Loved v. Feared? When Cyrus died in 530 BC, his son Cambyses

continued to extend the Persian Empire.

He was not as kind as his father and relied on violence to secure the empire.

He publicly scorned the Egyptian religion and ordered all images of the Egyptian gods to be destroyed.

Darius Extends the Empire

Darius extended the empire into present day Afghanistan and farther into India.

Eventually the empire covered 2,500 miles!

A New System of Government

In order to govern these distant lands, Darius allowed provincial governors called “Satraps” to handle the affairs of the provinces.

The people were allowed to practice their own religions, speak their native languages, and followmany of their own laws.

It satrap!

The Royal Road and Money

In an attempt to tie the vast empire together, Darius ordered that a road system to be built to extend throughout the empire: The Royal Road. Coinage is also standardized.

Zoroastrianism The prophet Zoroaster preaches ideas that anticipate

Christianity and Islam

Two armies fight for a person’s soul:Ahura Mazda: Goodness and lightAhriman: Darkness and evil

• At the end of time, one’s soul will be judged and sent to either a Heaven or Hell• Zend Avesta: religious scripture