Middle East Geography Overview Why is the Middle East a strategic

location? It is the crossroads of 3 continents: Africa, Asia

and Europe Suez Canal – links the Mediterranean and

Red Seas Arabian Peninsula – sparsely populated

because of lack of water Fertile Crescent – includes valleys of

Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Maghreb – North African Nations Most valuable resource: OIL Arabs – predominant ethnic group of the

region Israel – Majority Jewish

Key Terms

Oasis – fertile desert area that has enough water to support plant and animal life

Strait of Hormuz – Waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf; world’s most important water route for oil

Northern Tier - Region that includes Anatolian and Iranian Plateaus (Turkey, Iran)

Asia Minor – a large peninsula that connects Asia and Europe

Early History and Beliefs of Judaism and Christianity

Pre Class

Three Religions – What do you know about the three major monotheistic religions? Judaism Christianity Islam

Founders of JudaismAbraham Abrahamic covenant;

God promised: Promised Land to make Abraham a father

of many nations Unconditional (required

nothing of Abraham)

Founders of JudaismMoses Greatest prophet/teacher Led the Exodus (escape

of Hebrews from slavery in Egypt)

Mosaic covenant: 10 Commandments –

establish Hebrews’ relationship with Yahweh, moral laws (self-restraint, family and human life)

Return to Canaan (Promised Land)

Diaspora - the scattering of Jews from the land of Israel

revolt against Roman rule (66-70 CE)

Destruction of Jerusalem, Temple

Jews forced to Europe Formed regional groups

Preserved traditions, beliefs; faced similar expulsions, persecutions

Where did the name “Palestine” come from??

Palestine – a name given to the Jewish province of Judea by the Romans (“Palaestina”), during Hadrian’s rule, to wipe away the identity of the state of Judea

The Western Wall Remains of Second Temple

Place of prayer (mourning for destruction of temple)

Disputed between Jews/Muslims

tzetzels

Judaism = teachings of the Hebrews

ethical monotheism Torah – first 5 books of Old

Testament History Mosaic Law (10 Comm) –

“eye for an eye,” higher value on human life, kinder towards poor, slaves

Ethics – from prophets’ messages

I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

III. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.

IV. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

V. Honour thy father and thy mother.

VI. Thou shalt not kill.

VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

VIII. Thou shalt not steal.

IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

X. Thou shalt not covet any thing that is thy neighbour's.

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Beliefs/Practices Yahweh (God)

Fear – early Hebrews Freedom to choose

between good and evil

Worship synagogue

Every synagogue contains an Ark, which is a cupboard where the Torah Scrolls, which

contain the text of the Hebrew Bible, are

kept, and a desk from which to read the Torah. (BBC)

Christianity Began in Palestine (1st Century) grew out of Judaism’s traditions Jesus – founder; Gospels – stories of Jesus’ life

Preacher – taught goodness, mercy; parables; miracles attributed to him

Disciples Sentenced to die by Romans – “enemy of the

state”; crucified According to Christians – resurrected**, ascended

into heaven

After Jesus’ Death: Christians – believe Jesus is the

Messiah (one anointed by God) Jews – do NOT believe this; still

awaiting the Messiah

When/why did the split happen?

Teachings of Christianity (rooted in Judaism)

Grounded in Jewish traditions (Trinitarian) Monotheism 10 Commandments

eternal life - reward for the humble, merciful, and unselfish. Sermon on the Mount (Golden

Rule, Beatitudes)

What do you remember about life in the Roman Empire at its height?

Why do you think Christianity appealed to many Romans?

Spread of Christianity Christians – followers of Jesus Disciples spread message through Jewish

communities in Palestine and beyond (Paul’s letters)

spread quickly (Roman Empire) Hope of eternal life Control over destiny Equality in the eyes of God

Persecution Romans persecuted

Christians Wouldn’t worship

Emperor as a god Wouldn’t worship

Roman gods PACIFISTS – wouldn’t

fight to defend the Empire

Martyrs-people who suffer or die for their beliefs.

# of Christians INCREASED – why??

Development of the Church

Empire forced to accept religion 312- Constantine supported Christianity 391 - official religion of the Roman empire Formal Church

Pope – patriarch of Rome Great Schism 1054

Roman Catholic (Rome) Eastern Orthodox (Constantinople)