Ancient Civilizations: Hittites to Persians

Hittite Empire

An empire that existed from 1500-1200 BC in modern-day Turkey, known for being among the first to use iron and for their peace treaty in 1259.

Sea Peoples

Groups that harassed the Hittites and eventually contributed to their downfall, along with the Assyrians.

Hebrews

Residents of Canaan (modern-day Israel/Palestine) with a religion focused on the worship of Yahweh, featuring a covenant relationship and religious laws in the Torah.

Phoenicians

A civilization known for trade dominance, producing goods like papyrus, purple dyes, textiles, and for creating the first alphabet.

Assyria

An ancient civilization that reached its peak in 911-612 BC, known for its military focus, bureaucracy, standing army, and ruling through fear and aggression.

Nebuchadnezzar II

The greatest king of the Chaldean dynasty of Babylonia, known for conquering Syria and Palestine, destroying the Temple of Jerusalem, and initiating the Babylonian Captivity.

Cyrus the Great

Founder of the Achaemenian Empire, ruling over the largest empire at the time through a mix of conquest and diplomacy.

Darius the Great

A Persian ruler known for exceptional organizational skills, creating satrapies, building roads, standardizing weights, and measures, and building Persepolis.

Ahura Mazda

A deity in Zoroastrianism, considered all-wise, bounteous, and the creator of everything good.

Ahriman

A figure in Zoroastrianism representing darkness and evil, in contrast to Ahura Mazda.

Bronze Age Collapse

An event occurring around 1200-1150 BC involving major droughts, invasions, and earthquakes, leading to the fall of population centers in the Levant.

Battle of Kadesh

A historical battle between the Hittites and Egyptians resulting in a draw, leading to the first peace treaty in 1259 BC.

Alphabet

A writing system created by the Phoenicians, considered the first alphabet.

Persian Toleration

A policy of religious tolerance by the Persians, allowing conquered peoples to practice their religions as long as they paid taxes and recognized Persian control.

Satrapies

Large plots of land ruled by governors in the Persian Empire, responsible for the day-to-day problems of their territories.

Royal Road

A famous road built by King Darius the Great, stretching around 1,700 miles from Sardis in Turkey to Suza in Elam.

Dualistic Monotheism

A belief system featuring a supreme God and an ontologically inferior or demonic figure, such as Ahriman in Zoroastrianism.