Assyria, Babylon, and the Persian Empire

The Fertile Crescent

The Hebrews were driven out of their kingdoms by both the Assyrians and Babylonians

Assyria

AsurbanipalLasts over 2

centuries (850 to 605 BCE)

Established one of the first libraries

Very war-like peopleTechnology

advancements related to military, much like the Hittites

Assyria

Drove the Hebrews out of the Kingdom of Israel

Intolerant of the religion of the Hebrews

Babylonia (a.k.a…)

Eventually conquer the Assyrians (605-550 BCE)

Establish second empire, led by King Nebuchadnezzar

Babylonia

Drove the Hebrews from the kingdom of JudahJerusalem is sackedBabylonian Captivity

Intolerant of the faith and customs of the Hebrews

Enter Persia…Geography of Persia

Caspian Sea to Persian Gulf

Central Europe through Fertile Crescent

ResourcesCopper, lead, gold,

silverLapis

Many small kingdomsSociety is diverse Includes Indo-European

tribes, nomads and settled groups of people

By 486 BC, the Persians would control all of Mesopotamia and, in fact, all of the world from Macedon northeast of Greece to Egypt, from Palestine and the Arabian peninsula across Mesopotamia and all the way to India.

The Religions of Persia

Zoroastrianism Zoroaster, a Persian prophet Struggle between evil and good, all are

involved Monotheistic: Ahura Mazda Popular amongst Roman military Parsis = modern name, Iran and India

Judaism

Enter Cyrus

550 BCE, Cyrus conquers other kingdoms, unites them under one rule

Expands empire from 550-539 BCESpans 2,000 miles west to east

Uses diplomacy and military might

Killed in battle with nomadic warriors inmodern Pakistan

Persia Under Cyrus

Advanced technology in weaponry, fuels the Persian military

Rebuilding of JerusalemCity and the temple

Firm, fair ruleTrade in natural

resourcesTrade helps fund

conquests

Cyrus’ Legacies

Religious ToleranceCyrus honored local religious customsWelcomed Jews to return to Jerusalem

Civility Armies did not loot conquestsKind toward conquered peoples

“O man, I am Cyrus the son of Cambyses. I established the Persian Empire and was king of Asia. Do not begrudge my memorial”—Tomb enscription

After Cyrus

Cyrus dies in 530 BCECambyses, son of Cyrus, takes

power-8 year ruleExpands empire into EgyptLess tolerant of other religions

Darius seizes throne in 522 BCECrushes revoltsExpands empire into Greece, farther into

Egypt, farther north into central Europe

The End of Persia?

Darius and the Greeks

Persian Wars: 490-479 BCE