HIST 2A Lecture 6: Lecture #6
Document Summary
The age of empires in the near east: from the assyrians to the achaemenid persians. Next level complexity in terms of political and economic interaction. Based upon existence of multiple states of relatively equal power. Ended by late bronze age crisis, creating power vacuum in eastern mediterranean. Near eastern age of empires (assyrians, neo-babylonians, achaemenid, persians) Next level complexity in terms of maintaining control over subject peoples, communication networks, governing structures, professional armies Origins in power vacuum created by late bronze age crisis. Heavy borrowing from earlier mesopotamian imperial traditions, but larger scope. First declaration of human rights by cyrus the great. Freedom of religion, live in whichever region, and take whatever job one chooses. The late bronze age crisis and the rise of assyria. Bronze age regional conflict - northern tigris region. Successful defense of borders - conquered; fought against hittites and phrygians. War god ashur - close relationship with assyrian king.
