Ancient Middle East Middle East Geography I The

-Ancient Middle East-

-Middle East Geography- I. The Middle East includes Southwest Asia and North Africa *Both have similar cultures

II. The Middle East is the meeting place of three continents A. Africa B. Asia C. Europe *Center of trade – “Cross roads of the world”

III. Desert – covers 90% of the Middle East A. Sahara – world’s largest B. Arabian Desert C. Deserts influence the culture of the Middle East 1. Clothing – light, loose cloth 2. Nomads – move from place to place 3. Housing – use clay, make tents

IV. Natural Resources A. 70% of the world’s oil reserves are in the Middle East 1. Most of the reserves are in Persian Gulf nations 2. The economies of these nations are dominated by the sale of oil

B. There is a lack of water in the Middle East 1. Only 7% of the land is arable a. Irrigation is essential

V. River Valleys A. The Tigris-Euphrates and the Nile are the two major river valleys in the area

B. They were the birthplace of civilization C. They provided transportation for trade D. The soil was fertile because of the silt left by annual floods and led to surplus agriculture

-River Civilizations of the Middle East. I. Civilizations are complex cultures with five characteristics

A. Advanced Cities – Cities are different from villages 1. Villages may be self-sufficient 2. Cities rely on trade

B. Specialized Workers: 1. Artisans – make goods by hand 2. Merchants – carryout trade 3. Soldiers

C. Complex Institutions 1. Formal government 2. Organized religion 3. Education system

D. Record Keeping E. Advanced Technology – Early civilizations used the wheel, plow, sailboat, and metal weapons

II. Sumer A. In about 3000 BC, the Sumerians built a great civilization in Mesopotamia 1. This was the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers 2. This region became known as the Fertile Crescent

B. The Sumerians built pyramid temples called Ziggurats C. Surplus crops were produced using irrigation ditches from rivers D. Scribes – professional record keepers – invented the world’s first system of writing called cuneiform E. Sumerians invented the wheel, the sail, and the plow

III. Babylonians succeeded the Sumerians in Mesopotamia A. Babylonians developed the Code of Hammurabi 1. Laws were written on stone tablets and placed throughout the empire 2. Class distinctions – different punishment for rich and poor 3. “Eye for an eye”

IV. Egyptians A. Gift of the Nile 1. The Nile flooded annually providing fertile soil for farming

B. Pyramids 1. Ancient Egyptians built giant temples for their dead pharaohs 2. They believed the dead king continued to rule after death 3. The dead pharaoh’s body was mummified and placed in a tomb within the pyramid C. Hieroglyphics – writing system of Ancient Egyptians

V. Phoenicians A. Located north of Palestine along the Mediterranean Sea B. Great sailors 1. Traveled and traded throughout the Mediterranean 2. They were known as the “carriers of civilization” C. Established colonies, including Carthage D. Major contribution to civilization was the alphabet

VI. Assyrians A. Conquerors who created the largest empire to date 1. Overran Phoenicia, Babylonia, Palestine and others B. Army used advanced techniques to defeat their enemies including iron-tipped arrows, swords and spears

C. First army to use cavalry – men on horseback 1. Cavalry and charioteers wore helmets and breastplates D. Terrorized conquered people – hated by their enemies E. First people to set up an effective system of governing an empire 1. The Assyrian empire lasted about 150 years

VI. Persians A. The Persian Empire extended for 3000 miles from Egypt to India 1. The empire lasted about 200 years B. It was a well-organized empire that was divided into provinces directed by a satrap (governor)

C. Built roads to connect the empire and help trade D. Allowed conquered people to retain their religion, laws and local customs E. Cultural Diffusion occurred between the various provinces F. Early concept of a heaven and hell 1. May have influenced Judaism and Christianity