Ch 2: Peoples and Empires Flashcards
0
Q
The United Kingdom & King David
A
Anarchy ensued after the death of the first king of Israelites (Saul, 1020 - 1000 BC) King David organized Israelites -beat Philistines (harsh justice) -Palestine control (1000-970 BC) -Jerusalem becomes capital city
1
Q
Origins of Hebrew Nation
A
Group of people that migrated from Mesopotamia to Israel
-Semitic language group
-org.12 tribes (1200-1000 BC)
-descendants of Abraham
Lead from enslavement in Egypt (Moses in Exodus)
2
Q
Solomon
A
David son, Solomon & last King of UK (970- 930 BC)
-strengthen Royal influence,
military, and government
-builds Temple of Jerusalem
-his rule represents the height of
Hebrew power
3
Q
Divided Kingdom & Babylonian Captivity
A
After Solomon’s death tensions bet. N and S tribes of Israel led to est. of 2 kingdoms:
Kingdom of Israel:
10 north tribes (Capital: Samaria)
- Joined W/some small Syrian
states to temp stop onslaught
of Assyrians (NE)
- Power of Israel declined after
Ahab; forced to pay tribute to
Assyria in 9th cent; next cent,
Israel destroyed.
Attacked by Assyria
- Destroyed cap Samaria &
deported many Israelites to
parts of Assyrian empire.
Kingdom of Judah:
2 so. tribes (Capital: Jerusalem)
- Also forced to pay tribute to
Assyria but survived as indep.
state as Assyrian power declined.
-
The Chaldeans:
- 1st killed Assyrians, then
Jerusalem (King Nebuchadnezzar)
- Babylonian captivity:
Upper & mid classes from Judah
sent to Babylon (50 yrs enslaved)
Persians:
- Chaldeans conquered by Persians
- Judah were allowed to return to
Jerusalem; rebuild their city and
temple
- Still under Persian control until the
conquests of Alexander the great
in 4th century B.C.
- Judah survived, became
known as Jews; gave name to
Judaism the religion Yahweh
the Israelites god
4
Q
Development of Religion
A
- Moved from polytheism to
monotheism during Babylon
exiles and stayed that way
- "Yahweh" is only God of Israel
(creator of all nature)
- just, merciful, & loving God
- encouraged personal
relationship with Yahweh
- Wrote about traditions to preserve them
5
Q
Religious Writings
A
- Hebrew Bible: Old Testament of
the Christian Bible
- To teach beliefs about Yahweh
after Babylonian captivity and
dispersal
- During/after Babylonian exile,
Jews recorded traditions to
preserve identity (Core of Hebrew
Bible)
- Torah: law code, govern lives of
worshipers & relations to each
other & non-Jew pop.
- Pentateuch: 1st 5 books
(cover time from beg. of world
until Israelites arrived in
Canaan)
- Covenant: God entered contract with
"chosen people"
- Obey the law (ethical behavior)
& God will take special care
- Prophets warned to keep
commandments & social justice
or be punished by God (no class
distinctions)
- Women, children, and
downtrodden protected
-Condemned rich for causing
poor to suffer
6
Q
Social Structure
A
Men of rank:
King officials, military officers, civil
officials, & governors.
"People of the land"
- Free people w/ basic civil rights.
- Livelihood most from land &
crafts; sold local
- No real merchant class. (Foreign
did most trade).
- Family was patriarchal
- Law allowed some polygamy:
-Kings: 18 wives
Citizens: 4 wives
-Many Hebrews valued
monogamy, however - Women valued, but male
dominated - Parents did matchmaking
Early education: mothers
Later education: fathers
7
Q
Neighboring Empires
A
Philistines invaded; later settled in Palestine
Phoenicians cities dependent on sea. International sea traders.
-Strong navy & wealthy trade
network
- Exported wine, glass, lumber,
& purple dyes
- Charted new routes; est.
colonies (trading stations) in
Europe, Asia, & Africa
(Carthage was settlement)
- Developed the phonetic
alphabet, later used by the
Greeks and Romans
8
Q
Assyrian Empire
A
- A Semitic group moved
south from the Tigris.
- Learned iron smelting &
military tactics from Hittite
oppressors.
- King ruled domain w/o rival
-Est. well organized gov
and communication system
- Powerful, but overextended
(ex. Sack of Babylon)
9
Q
Assyrian Military
A
- Conquered to conqueror - Made standing army of over 100,000 - Well org. pro. army w/ infantry, cavalry, and archers - War chariots and iron weapons - Diverse tactics: Open-field, siege, guerrilla warfare - Terror tactics: total warfare = complete destruction
10
Q
Assyrian Society
A
- Practiced assimilation and polygamy - agriculturally based, w/ few large cities - Artwork: typically endorsed tough-minded values of the society (battle & hunting scenes) - Guarded Sumerian culture & writing
11
Q
Chaldeans
A
- Semitic group near Babylon
- Nebuchadnezzar II lead
soldiers to defeat the
Assyrians (rebuilding of
Babylon)
- Hanging gardens:
reflected wealth of trade &
industry
- Advancements made and
astronomy - Absorbed by the expanding
Persian Empire
12
Q
Rise of the Persians
A
- Expanded in all directions
(modern Iran)
- Tremendous geographic
region
- Diverse ethnic groups &
languages
- Cyrus began royal dynasty
(550 BC)
- Est. tolerance for culture &
religion (used many
influences)
13
Q
Expansion + Conflict
A
- Persians conquer Egypt
- Darius (521– 486 BC)
extends control over
colonies like Lonian (Greek
territories) - Leads to an invasion of the
Greek empire
- Persians turned back
after battle of marathon
14
Q
Persian Government
A
- 20 satrapies (w/ governor)
- Responsible for tax coll,
security, soldiers, &
justice (minor kings)
- Responsible for tax coll,
- King employed spies to
watch satrap - Efficient communication
& royal road = better econ &
movement of troops
