In the region of the Orient (the East), centered on Mesopotamia and Egypt, many peoples created their own unique cultures, which greatly influenced later civilizations.
The Hebrews (the Israelites)
The Hebrews created monotheism (Judaism), which worships the one and only god, Yahweh.
- They escaped from Egypt (the Exodus) under the leadership of Moses.
- The kingdom reached its height under King David and King Solomon around the 10th century BCE.
- After its division, it was conquered by Assyria and Babylonia, resulting in the “Babylonian Captivity” (586 BCE).
- The sacred text, the “Old Testament,” is a common source of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The Phoenicians and the Alphabet
The Phoenicians on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean were active in maritime trade and invented the 22-letter Phoenician alphabet around 1000 BCE. It became the direct origin of the Greek and Latin alphabets.
They established colonies throughout the Mediterranean, including Carthage.
The Phoenicians on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean were active in maritime trade and invented the 22-letter Phoenician alphabet around 1000 BCE. It became the direct origin of the Greek and Latin alphabets.
They established colonies throughout the Mediterranean, including Carthage.
The Rise and Fall of Assyria
In the 7th century BCE, Assyria ruled from Mesopotamia to Egypt and unified the entire Orient for the first time. However, its harsh rule using iron weapons and chariots provoked opposition, and it fell in 612 BCE.
Practice
- Give the name of the one and only god worshiped by the Hebrews and the name of their religion.
- Explain the influence that the Phoenician alphabet had on later generations.
- Give the name of the people who first unified the entire Orient in the 7th century BCE.