Empires of the Fertile Crescent

a two house system of government

first system of writing that had hundreds of characters - created by Sumerians

believing in more than one god

believing in one god

system in which men have more power and status than women

economic system in which trading is done

"True King" - leader of Akkad - creates world's first empire

world's first empire - included all of Mesopotamia - existed between 2300 and 2200 BCE

first civilization - located in Mesopotamia from around 3500 to 2300 BCE

"Land between the rivers"

Cradle of Civilization - located between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea - where land was "fertile" or good for farming

epic poem most likely created in Sumer - often considered first story ever written

ruler of Babylon around 1800 BCE - famous for creating a Code of Law

a system of law intended to prevent the strong from oppressing (taking advantage of) the weak - involves harsh punishment

empire in Mesopotamia which adopted Sumerian culture and language - improved society (irrigation system, tax system, and government housing - 1800 to 1600 BCE

city and surrounding villages and farmland

a Sumerian temple

Sumerian invention that aided transportation

Sumerian invention that aided farming

group of territories or nations ruled by a single ruler or government

a god or goddess

government headed by a religious leader or leader regarded as a god

rule by a king or queen

a person skilled in writing

a loose union or alliance of states or groups

a settlement of people outside their homeland, linked with a parent country by trade and direct government control

system of symbols or characters that represent the sounds of a language - Phoenician alphabet had 22 characters

great sailors and traders of the Mediterranean who aided with cultural diffusion, created basis for our modern alphabet, introduced bills of sale and contracts, formed colonies, and sailed as far as the British Isles, influenced by Mesopotamia and Egyptian cultures

conquered Babylonians, had powerful army, introduced legal system less harsh than Hammurabi's, used iron weapons and multiperson chariots, influenced by Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures

a group of people organized to levels of rank, power, wealth, or importance

the exchange of goods, ideas, and customs among different cultures

fierce military empire after the Hittites; had organized units in military; cruel to those they conquered; split empire into provinces run by governors; collected taxes to support army and built roads to improve communication

also called Neo-Babylonians; formed an alliance with the Medes to defeat the Assyrians; re-established Babylon as a great center of trade, science, and culture; reached their peak during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar

King of Babylon (Chaldeans); helped build Babylon into a great city; is believed to have built the Ishtar Gate and Hanging Gardens; forced the Jews into slavery in Babylon (the Exile); formed an alliance with the Medes by marrying the King of Medes daughter (inspiration for HG's)

one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, built by Nebuchadnezzar for his homesick wife

group of traveling merchants

science studied by the Neo-Babylonians; the study, collection and explanation of facts about heavenly bodies (the stars)

originated in Iran around 2000 BCE; conquered the Chaldeans under Cyrus the Great; stretched the empire from Nile to Indus (all of the Middle East) under Cambyses; reached height of their power during the rule of Darius I; were eventually conquered by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE.

magnificent capital city created to honor Darius I

unified the tribes of Persian, created a strong army and defeated the Chaldeans and much of the Middle East; considered a tolerant (kind) ruler

son of Cyrus; expanded the Persians empire form the Nile to the Indus Rivers; was a cruel ruler and ultimately assassinated

great Persian king; a great organizer - divided empire into provinces with governors (satraps); very tolerant ruler, allowed conquered people to keep their language, religion, and laws

governors who ruled the provinces set up by Darius I of Persia

site of famous battle between the Persians and the Greeks in which the underdog Greeks were able to defeat the Persians; where the concept of the marathon race is created and the company Nike draws its name from.

son of Darius; like his father, strives to defeat the Greeks; involved in the famous battles of Thermopolye and Salamis; is able to burn Athens to the ground but ultimately is forced to leave Greece for good

prophet who encouraged a change in religion to monotheism - good vs. evil

conquered the Persians around 331 BCE; created the largest empire in the world at the time

served as the "Eyes and Ears of the King" for Darius I of Persia; toured the empire making unannounced visits to the provinces to make sure that government officials were doing their jobs correctly and that a rebellion was not possible

way of life

improvement

period of power

heating iron or metals to improve impurities

political districts