Chapter 2 2 Fertile Crescent Empires Babylonia was

Chapter 2. 2 Fertile Crescent Empires Babylonia was who conquered Sumer and they created an Empire-or an area of many territories and people controlled by one government

• Rulers gained great wealth from trade and agriculture • City of Babylon was at the center of empire • Roads connected the whole empire to make trade easier • Crossroads became homes to Caravansor groups of travelers waiting for markets to open

II. Empire of Assyrian’s • Assyria lay in open land so it made it easy to attack and invade them • Since they were always defending themselves they became very good at war

A. Assyria’s Contributions • They became clever at waging war • They invented the battering ram, sling shot, were precise archers, and used helmets and armor to protect themselves

• As they grew in power their capitol of Nineveh was the center for learning filled with libraries and many learning centers

B. Assyria Overthrown • Due to their way of life they had few friends • Even thought they were strong many tried to overthrow them • 2 neighbors joined sides the Meades and Chaldeans joined sides and attacked Assyria and defeated them

III. Babylonia rises again • Under the Chaldeans Babylon rose again and controlled the fertile crescent • King Nebuchadnezzer rebuilt Babylon which was destroyed by Assyrians • He built massive walls around it for protection and added huge palaces that were decorated with flowers and gardens

B. Advances in learning • Under the Chaldeans Babylon once again was the center for learning, they excelled in math, science, and war. • So they were not only fierce in battle but very intelligent

IV. The Persian Empire • Just east of Mesopotamia was Persia or present day Iran • An area filled with mountains, valleys, and desert • Persia was largest empire to ever settle in the fertile crescent

A. Rich and Tolerant Culture • Ancient Persian religion was known as Zorastrianism or their belief in one god • They also were known for their choice to help those who had been conquered • They also focused on education and helped spread religion, government and education on civilization