Chapter 6The Phoenicians and the Hebrews 1200 B.C.–510 B.C

Section 1 – The Phoenicians

• “At the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea lies a piece of land shared today by Lebanon & Israel. In ancient times, it was the bridge that connected Egypt and Mesopotamia, and it was known as Canaan. Soldiers, shepherds, and merchants who passed through Canaan carried new ideas and goods between Egypt and Mesopotamia.

• Two groups—the Phoenicians and the Hebrews—settled in Canaan and formed small kingdoms. Through these peaceful activities, they made important contributions to later civilizations.”

The Phoenicians• Lived in Northern part of

Canaan

• Knowledge of them comes from:– The Bible, ruins, & writings

from other ancients

• Two groups formed the Phoenicians:

– Canaanites—from the desert south and east of Canaan

• Herders

– Philistines—from the eastern Mediterranean near Greece

• Traders and shipbuilders

The Growth of Trade• By 1200 B.C. Phoenicians built

cities along land between mountains and the sea

• Not enough land to grow food, Phoenicians turned to the sea to make a living

• Built strong, fast ships; became coastal traders

• Began to control the trade of the Mediterranean

• Exchanged cedar logs, cloth, glass, perfume for gold, metals

The Growth of Trade• Sailors traveled by sun & stars

• Learned the value of making business agreements

• Used business ideas to keep peace w/ more powerful neighbors by signing peace treaties, or agreements between states or countries

• Promised to supply free shipments of good for their independence

• AKA: Created Peace By Trade

The Cities of Phoenicia• Collection of independent city-

states– Spoke same language, same

religion

• City-states ruled by king; in time, joint rule by king and rich merchant families

• Believed in many gods, tied to nature

• Built temples—each had entrance hall, a main hall, and a holy of holies, or most sacred chamber.

Carthage

• Built colonies, or permanent settlements, on North African coast

• Most famous trading city/colony: Carthage in 814 B.C.

The Alphabet

• Most important Phoenician idea: the Alphabet

• Borrowed writing system of 22 symbols, or letters (based on sounds) from the Canaanites in the south

• Phoenicians carried the Canaanite alphabet to Europe

– Greeks borrowed it– Romans borrowed it from Greeks

Chapter 6Section 2 The Hebrews

The Hebrews• Hebrew’s religion, Judaism,

greatly influenced the world

• Early Hebrews, or Israelites, were desert nomads & traveling merchants

• Followed a route starting from city of Ur in Mesopotamia

• Abraham—shepherd in Ur around 1800 B.C.; was father of Hebrews

– Torah says God sent Abraham to leave Ur & settle in Canaan, the Promised Land

The God of Abraham• Many people in ancient world

were polytheists, worshiped many gods

• Hebrews believed God gave Abraham important teachings

– believed in one all-powerful God and his moral laws—monotheism

• Hebrew family groups formed 12 tribes

• Stayed in Canaan for 100 years

• Drought forced them to move to Egypt

Abraham leaving Ur for Canaan

Moses and the Ten Commandments

• Hebrews enslaved in Egypt – 600 years

• Leader Moses led Hebrews from Egypt on migration called Exodus through the desert

• The Torah (Hebrew Bible) says God gave Moses two stone tablets on Mount Sinai:

– The Ten Commandments – The BASIS of Hebrew LAW

• Israelites believed commandments renewed their covenant with God

• Belief: Obey His Law, Gain God’s Protection

Clearer View

Hebrew Beliefs• Hebrews were not to worship other gods or idols• Believed god was just; they too should be• Laws affect the whole community, not just individuals• Believed in Social Justice – everyone has the right to be treated

fairly Star of David

The Promised Land• Moses died before Hebrews

reached Canaan– New leader Joshua brought them

safely to Promised Land

• Saul, warrior-farmer, became King of 12 Hebrew tribes

• King David reunited Hebrews, defeated Canaanites

• Established Jerusalem, capital of Hebrew kingdom

• King David’s son Solomon became King

– Brought peace through trade and treaties

– Built huge temples in Jerusalem

The Prophets• Prophets – persons claiming to

have messages from God

• Criticized Hebrew life – reminded others of duty to God and each other

– Warned of God’s punishment – Mistreatment of poor, corrupt

politicians

• Hebrew Kingdom fell to powerful neighbors

– After 722 B.C. Israelites of the North disappeared

– Judeans (in the South in Judah) survived

– But forced to move to Babylon in 586 B.C.

– Babylonian Jews observed religious laws, holidays, worship

– Spent 70 years then returned and rebuilt Jerusalem

– Wrote down laws of Moses in 5 books called The Torah

Major Contributions• First to believe in one God• First to believe in a Just God• Believed individuals and society should likewise be just• Treat each other fairly – first message of Social Justice