" " " " " " " The Earliest Civilizations. Part 1 of Ancient History with All Ye Lands. mercyformarthas.com

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1 The Earliest Civilizations 1 Part 1 of Ancient History with All Ye Lands mercyformarthas.com

2 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 1 2 Note Taking Overview In this history course, you will begin to learn a very important skill: note taking. The purpose in taking notes is three-fold: First, it helps you to understand, organize, and remember the material you are reading. Second, when you need to review and memorize information from your book, you can easily scan your notes, instead of reading the textbook all over again. Third, if you need to write a history summary or report, you have well organized notes to help you. There are 2 main points to remember when taking notes: 1. Keep them organized by using titles, headings, and sub-headings 2. Take note of only important/relevant and interesting facts Use titles (underlined) for the titles of each major section of the chapter. In All Ye Lands, the titles are in large red font. Use headings for the sub-sections. In All Ye Lands, the sub-sections are in a brown font. Use sub-headings for the main topic of each paragraph. For titles and headings, always use the key words. Next, write a subheading for each paragraph. Use key words from the topic of the paragraph to name the subheading. These key words are usually found in the topic sentence, but not always. Next, take notes of any important details which follow, especially terms and definitions which are written in bold. The notes you take should be in outline form, using key words. Keep them short and succinct. Use abbreviations and short hand where possible. Heading Paragraph 1 subheading, mark with roman numerals Point 1 from paragraph Point 2 from paragraph This week we will focus on note-taking, and the following worksheets will walk you through the process. Let s begin with chapter 2 of All Ye Lands, Prehistory: Beginning Man s Story.

3 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 1 The Infancy of Man Read page 21 of All Ye Lands. How many paragraphs are there? What is the title of the section? (The words in red) Is there are sub-heading on this page? (Words in brown) Read the first paragraph again. What are the key words of the topic sentence? This will be your subheading for the paragraph. Write the main point or idea of the paragraph in key words here: Read the second paragraph again. What are the key words of the topic sentence? This will be your second subheading. Write the main points of the paragraph in key works here: Read the third paragraph again. What are the key words of the topic sentence? This will be your second subheading. Write the main points of the paragraph in key works here: Next, read the information in the yellow box. What does B.C. stand for? What does A.D. stand for in Latin? _ What do the Latin words mean in English? How are the years before the coming of Christ are counted? Finally, notice the word prehistory is written in bold. This signifies an important word that you need to take note of, and remember. Write the key words of the definition below: Prehistory - On the next page is an example of how this information is presented in organized note-taking fashion. Observe it carefully, comparing the information to what you have written on this page, so you can use it as a model of how to take notes. 3

4 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS - WEEK 1 Let s take a look at how Chapter 2 is organized. What is the name of the chapter? Flip through the chapter. What are the three main sections of the chapter? These are written in a large red font? This week, you are going to be taking notes on the first section only. This section goes from page to page. Note Taking Sample Infancy of Man - prehistory like childhood - can t remember before 4 yrs old - no memories infancy, use parents mem. - stories, clues: photographs, old baby toys, etc. - life mankind periods we can remember, periods we can t - remember periods written records, 3500 yrs before Christ, called history - prehistory period of no written records - B.C. Before Christ count the years backward -A.D. Anno Domini In the year of the Lord How many sub-sections (written in brown) are in this section? 4

5 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 1 Prehistory of Mankind Now you are ready to take notes on the first sub-section of the chapter, The Prehistory of Mankind, which goes from p Write your notes on the gray lines. Remember to use key words. <- subtitle (brown words) I. <-paragraph 1 topic sentence <-point 1 <-point 2 II. sentence <-paragraph 2 topic <- point 1 <- point 2 III. sentence <- paragraph 3 topic <- point 1 <- point 2 IV. sentence <- paragraph 4 topic <- point 1 <- point 2 V. sentence <- paragraph 5 topic <- point 1 <- point 2 5

6 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 1 Prehistory of Mankind How did you do? Are you just about brain-dead after this activity? It wasn t so bad, was it? When you take notes, keep in mind there are no absolute wrong key words. Some words are more important than others, but as you get the hang of this skill, you will easily learn to figure out which these words are. You will learn to discover the key points that need you need to engrave into your memory. Sample: Here is a sample of what your outline should look like. Compare it to your outline. Abbreviations Notice some of the abbreviations used in this sample: Yrs years b/f before mil millions - showing, indicating What do you think dinos stood for? While you are taking notes try to use standard abbreviations. You will also make up some of your own as you go along, especially for words that are frequently used. Prehistory of Mankind - life older than human life - dinos 40 mil. yrs, but disappeared mil. Yrs b/f humans - trilobites in seas 250 mil. - creatures resembling humans existed 1 mil. Yrs, only animals - faith Adam and Eve, but where/when mystery - recorded history only 6000 yrs - what about thousands of years of m/k b/f writing? - prehistory not so dark and unknown - earliest ancestors left skulls, stone tools, etc - how know earliest ancestors were human? - left objects concern for soul - graves, ornaments, cave paintings, cliff homes, cities, music - earl. Ancestors sinned - evil tendency from the Fall of Adam + Eve 6

7 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 1 Stone Age Now let s take notes on the next sub-section (p.23 25). This part has definitions. The first definition is done for you. Study it and see which key words are used. Be sure to use some abbreviations! Then fill in the outline. I. Scientists who study prehistoric man: 1. Paleontologists study traces left during years before writing - Greek: palaea past, ontologia the study of what is 2. Archaeologists - 3. Anthropologists - II. Scientists not historians <- subtitle (bown words) par. 1 topic sentence <- point 1 III. Paleontologists dev. Method age of artifacts <- par. 2 topic sentence - Artifacts - --> definition (see blue box) - Artifacts tell how long ago people lived - Carbon - <- definition (see blue blox) - Radiocarbon dating - IV. Scientists concluded human-like creatures on earth 1 mil. Yrs sentence - Theory - <- par.3 topic 7

8 ! 8 - homo erectus - <- par. 4 topic sentence - Homo sapiens - - Homo sapiens sapiens - EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 1 The last paragraph is quite long, so you will need to take key word notes of 3 more points/ ideas. V. homo sapiens neanderthalensis - - Ritual burial - Are we done yet? I d rather be hunting. YES! Tomorrow, finish taking notes of the rest of the chapter. And don t worry, it gets easier with practice.

9 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 1 Old and New Stone Age Since this sub-section (p. 25) is made up mostly of definitions, you don t need to make key word outlines of the topic of each paragraph. Fill in the following outline. - prehistory divided into 3 ages: < - t i t l e o f s u b - s e c t i o n 9 - Stone Age tools made of - Bronze Age tools made of - Iron Age - lasted from to - Stone Age divided into 2 parts: - Paleolithic - Neolithic! Continue to take notes on the next sub-section (p ) using the outlines on the following pages.

10 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 1 Read the first 3 paragraphs, and then observe the notes taken from it below: <- subtitle (brown words) I. Stone Age men nomads <-paragraph 1 topic sentence - Followed herds of animals <-point 1 II. Comical pics cavemen but no evidence that they were like apes <- notice the first three sentences were put into one point - Stone Age men walked upright - used simple practical tools, more refined as ages passed III. Used stone well: <-paragraph 3 topic sentence - sharpen other stones, spear tip, <-points - stone knife to cut animal hides clothing - pierce animal bones needles to sew Notice that you should not take notes for every point or fact. Just pick the most interesting points, as well as the points that you think are the most important. Sometimes you can combine a few sentences into one point. With time and practice you will become an expert at knowing which information you really need to take note of. There are four more paragraphs in this sub-section. Complete them. IV. many talents sentence <-paragraph 4 topic <-point 1 <-point 2 V. love for beauty <-paragraph 5 topic sentence <-point 1 define kiln? <-point 2 -did you 10

11 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 1 Read the last 2 paragraphs. What are they both about? Since the last paragraph is short, and since they are both about cave paintings, combine the last 2 paragraphs. - cave paintings stunning ex. artistic nature <-par. 6-7 topic sentence Take a break from note taking, and copy this cave painting in the box below. - Where - - What they depict - - Where/when first discovered 11!

12 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 1 The New Stone Age On your own! Take notes of the last sub-section, The New Stone Age Nomads Become Farmers. Don t forget the Roman numerals! <- subtitle (brown words) sentence <-paragraph 1 topic <-point 1 <-point 2 sentence <-paragraph 2 topic <-point 1 <-point 2 <-paragraph 3 topic sentence <-point 1 <-point 2 How do I know my notes are good? Using your notes, retell what you have learned and then write a short summary: 12

13 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 2 Note Taking Review and Tips 1. Keep in mind the subject matter of the section that you are reading about. 2. As a general rule, use the following lay out: Key words of Section (This should be underlined.) Key words of Sub-section - Paragraph 1 topic sentence key words/topic of paragraph - Point 1 - Point 2 - Point 3 (if needed) - Paragraph 2 topic sentence key words/topic of paragraph - Point 1 - Point 2 - Point 3 (if needed) And so on. 3. Read the entire paragraph before taking notes on it. Take notes one paragraph at a time You will generally find the topic of the paragraph in the topic sentence. 5. However, this may not happen if a story is being told, or if the author is taking his time getting to the main point. For example, look at the last paragraph of page 27. It begins like this: Yet, the most stunning example of early man s artistic nature is a mysterious and lovely treasure, found in the darkness of the earth. The topic of the paragraph is cave-paintings but this key word is not used in the topic sentence. You may not realize this is the topic until you read further into the paragraph. Nonetheless, cave-paintings is what you should use for your topic of the paragraph. This is why you should read the entire paragraph before taking notes on it. 6. If a paragraph is short, or if 2 or more paragraphs in a row are about the same topic, you can put your notes on them under one paragraph heading. 7. When you take notes on the body of the paragraph, you decide on the most important and interesting points. You will get better at this with practice. 8. Sometimes you can combine a few sentences into one point. 9. Use abbreviations. Make up your own for key words that come up a lot. For example, you could use C.P. to stand for cave paintings. 10.Be sure to take note of italicized words, or words in bold.

14 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 2 Sumer Time to practice more note-taking! Use the following outline to take notes from pages underline I. modern day Iraq once home to 1 st great civ. <- par. 1 topic II. Tigris and Euphrates Rivers changed, left silt <- key words of title, <- main points <- par. 2 topic <-define silt III. Civilization: way of life in cities title <-par. 3 topic 14 <- key words of sub-section I. Sumerians worshipped forces of nature as gods <- par. 1 topic II. <- par. 2 topic <- define and describe ziggurat

15 ! EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 2 15 Sumerian Inventions inventions key words of sub-section title combine paragraphs, list - cuneiform - epic of Gilgamesh Life in Sumer (Note: this section ends on page 34.)

16 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 2 What happened to Sumer? Gilgamesh Since this is in story form, simply outline the main events of the story. You do not need to take notes on the topic of each paragraph. Using your outline, tell someone the story of Gilgamesh. EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 2 16

17 ! Congratulations! You have just completed taking notes on the first part of this chapter! That s enough for today. 17 You think note-taking is hard? You should try writing on cuneiform tablets! But here s the rest of your assignment : Do the map trek activities for Mesopotamia and Sumer. Write a one-page report on either cuneiform or King Sargon of Sumer. Use information from sources other than your textbook, in addition to the notes you just took. Use the journal sheets provided for your report. Some sources of information on King Sargon and Sumer are: Ancient World Ancient Mesopotamia (Scholastic) Story of the World Vol. 1

18 ! Sargon of Sumer 18 Who: Where: When:

19 ! Sumerian Cuneiform 19

20 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 3 Early Egypt Time for more note-taking! Read over your Note Taking Review and Tips from last week. Remember, the two main points to keep in mind when you are taking notes are: 1. Keep your notes organized. Use titles, headings, subheadings, and Roman numerals. Keep all information on one topic under one heading or sub-heading. 2. Take note of only the important and interesting facts. For the first sub-section, which is really an introduction (and has no sub-section title of its own), the topic of each paragraph will be filled in for you. The first paragraph is also done for you, as an example. Egypt, 1 st Nation -> title of section I. Egypt -> topic of paragraph mi. W of Sumer, in N. Africa - fertile valley, Nile River - 1 st nation state unified gov t, one language, common culture by 4000B.C. II. Hamitic people, 1 st settled 6000 B.C., farmers paragraph -> topic of 20 <- fill in points - shaduf

21 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 3 III. lower and upper Egypt - Lower Egypt where: - Upper Egypt where: - King Menes IV. desert protected Egypt, pharaohs - Dynasty Pharoah - - V. 4 periods Egyptian history: You may now take notes on hieroglyphics. And this time, no help from Well done, slave! 21 -> topic of paragraph -> topic of paragraph

22 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 3 Hieroglyphics World in pics 22 Just for fun, write your name in hieroglyphics.

23 ! EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 3 Here s the rest of your assignment. For today: Do the Map Trek activities for the Old Kingdom of Egypt. Begin researching for your next report. For tomorrow: Write a one-page report on either hieroglyphics or King Narmer (also called King Menes). Use information from sources other than your textbook, in addition to the notes you just took. Use the journal sheets provided for your report. Some sources for reading about Ancient Egypt are: Ancient World Story of the World Vol. 1 Pharoahs of Ancient Egypt 23 Hieroglyphics I know I can spell it h i.r uh, no, h i e r g l i.. uh, it s so hard!

24 ! Hieroglyphics 24

25 ! King Narmer 25 Who: Where: When:

26 26 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 4 Life and Death in Egypt For this sub-section, the paragraph topics are completed. Fill in the points below: Life + Death I. work and leisure II. Architects, artists, engineers III. Egyptian gods IV. death V. Rosetta Stone

27 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 4 27 Mysterious Pyramids Do this sub-section on your own. Remember, to find the topic of the paragraph, you have to read the whole paragraph first. The topic is usually, but not always, found in the topic sentence. <-sub-section title <-par. 1 topic

28 ! EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 4 28 Tomorrow, start a report on the Great Pyramid in Giza. To prepare, read The Great Pyramid by Elizabeth Mann. Start taking notes and making an outline. Include the following information on your report: Who built it? Where? Why was it built? For whom? How was it built? How long did it take to build it? What did it look like when it was first completed? Just for fun, take a look at Pyramid by David Macaulay. The pictures are incredible.

29 ! The Great Pyramid 29

30 30 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 5 The Pharoahs This sub-section should be easy to take notes on. Each paragraph, except the last is about a famous Pharoah. Be sure to include the definition of polytheism and monotheism. -> title of sub-section

31 ! EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 5 Ancient Egypt in Mod. World Egypt s Legacy 31

32 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 5 Young King Tut Did you remember to mention my sarcophagus? 32

33 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 5 Behold! You have taken notes on an entire chapter! Well done! Here s the rest of your assignment: Day 2: Do the Map Trek activities for Ancient Egypt. Begin researching for your next report. Day 3: Write a one-page report on one of the following pharaohs: Amenhotep Hatshepsut Rameses II Use information from sources other than your textbook, in addition to the notes you just took. Use the journal sheets provided for your report. Some sources for reading about Ancient Egypt are: Ancient World Story of the World Vol. 1 Pharoahs of Ancient Egypt 33

34 ! Hatsheput 34 Who: Where: When:

35 ! Amenhotep IV 35 Who:_ Where: When:

36 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 6 Review of Chapter 2 This week, you will be reviewing all that you have learned about the Stone Age, Mesopotamia, and Ancient Egypt. Day 1 Do the following for a thorough review: Read the Let s Remember questions of the Chapter 2 Review on p. 45. Day 2 Day 3 Review your notes, keeping the questions in mind. If you have taken good notes, you should be able to answer the questions as you review, without having to look back in the textbook. Answer the Let s Remember questions on a separate sheet of paper. Use complete sentences. Write out answers to the Let s Consider questions of the Chapter Review on p. 46. These take some thought, so take your time. Your answers should be several sentences long Do the following review worksheets.. 36

37 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 6 Beginning Man s Story Review Briefly describe each of the following people: 1. King Sargon 2. Gilgamesh 3. King Narmer 4. Amenhotep 5. Hatshepsut 6. King Tut _ 7. Rameses II Briefly define each of the following terms: 1. Prehistory 2. Paleontologist 3. Anthropologist 4. Homo sapiens neanderthralensis 5. Ziggurat 6. Shaduf 7. Cuneiform _ 8. Hieroglyphics 9. Rosetta stone 10.Polytheism _ 11.Monotheism 37

38 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS - WEEK 7 Chapter 3 The Mission of Israel What to do: For this chapter, your work is divided as follows: Day 1 Read the textbook and take notes. Begin reading historical novel. Day 2 - Read a corresponding bible story from the Golden Children s Bible. Do Map Trek activities. Day 3 - Do research on a corresponding civilization and/or ruler and write a short report or biography. Some good resources for researching ancient civilizations are: Story of the World Vol.1 Ancient Mesopotamia (Scholastic) Story of the Ancient World Guerber/Miller The following worksheets will provide a place to take your notes, as well as journal pages for your bible stories and civilization reports or ruler biographies. Taking notes on stories Chapter 3 is full of stories from the Bible, since it tells the story of Israel. When taking notes on stories, you do not need a separate sub-heading for the topic of each paragraph. Rather, you can just pick one or two main points or events from each paragraph. Try to keep the flow of the story. The worksheets will help you along. 38

39 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS - WEEK 7 Abram, Father of Multitudes Read p , one paragraph at a time and take notes. The topics of the first 2 paragraphs are done for you. God Calls Nation I. early civ. grew like Sumer, Egypt: II. Israel different The next 5 paragraphs tell the story of Abram and Sarai. Since these paragraphs are all part of one story, keep all the points from these paragraphs under one heading. - Abram and Sarai Define barren Define covenant 39

40 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS - WEEK 7 The Exodus Read p , one paragraph at a time and take notes. The topics of the first 3 paragraph are done for you. The Exodus I. 2 nd book of Bible, going out II. Rameses II great builder, needed lots of workers III. Hebrews grew in number, worried Pharoah Just like the last part you read, the next 5 paragraphs tell a story, the story of Moses and the Exodus. Since these paragraphs are all part of one story, keep all the points from these paragraphs under one heading. - Moses and the Exodus 40

41 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS - WEEK 7 The Commandments Read pp and take notes. Do not take notes on the actual Commandments. You will copy them word for word after you take notes. The Commandments Copywork: On the next page, copy the Ten Commandments. EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS - WEEK 7 41

42 42 The Ten Commandments

43 ! Moses 43

44 ! Rameses II and the Enslavement of the Hebrews 44

45 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 8 Entering the Promised Land Read pp , one paragraph at a time, and take notes. Israel in the Promised Land I. Scouting out Canaan II. Israelites lacked faith, God s punishment 45 III. After Moses death, 1200 B.C., led by Joshua, Israelites entered Canaan List the twelve tribes:

46 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 8 Philistines and Phoenicians Dreaded Philistines Read pp and take notes. Creators of Alphabet, Phoenicians Define mercenary 46

47 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 8 Saul, Israel s First King 47 Read p. 55, the Story of Samson. Do not take notes on it. See if you can narrate it aloud to someone. Next, read p which is about King Saul. Since this is in story form, outline the entire story under one heading.

48 ! Joshua and the Battle of Jericho 48

49 ! The Phoenicians 49

50 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 9 50 King David Read about King David, p and take notes. Since this is a story, you can keep all your points under one heading.

51 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 9 51 King Solomon Read about King Solomon, p and take notes. Since this is a story, you can keep all your points under one heading.

52 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 9 52 Assyria Read about Assyria, p and take notes. Be sure to find the topic of each paragraph. It may not be in the topic sentence. The topic of the first paragraph is done for you. Cruel Assyria I. Assyria major Civ. In Mesopotamia Define Tribute

53 ! King David 53

54 ! Ashurnasirpal and the Assyrians 54

55 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK Babylon Read about Babylon, p and take notes. Be sure to find the topic of each paragraph. It may not be in the topic sentence. Babylon, Successor to Sumer

56 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK The Prophets Read about the Prophets, p and take notes. The Prophets Major prophets Minor prophets - Jeremiah, Suffering Prophet Define Messiah -

57 ! Courage of the Israelites in Exile: Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego 57

58 ! Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians 58

59 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK Babylonian Exile Read about the first sub-section on p. 65 and take notes. Book of Lamentations of Jeremiah expresses Books of Baruch, Ezekiel, Isaiah express - exile in Babylon Copy work: Find some verses from Lamentations that describe the Israelite s sorrow and copy them below: Find some verses from Baruch, Ezekiel, or Isaiah that express hope and copy them below:!

60 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK Persian Empire Read about Persia, p and take notes. Paragraph two, which is only one sentence, should be combine with paragraph three under one sub-heading. Congratulations! You have taken notes for all of Chapter 3!

61 ! Nehemiah Rebuilds the Temple 61

62 ! King Cyrus of Persia 62

63 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK Chapter 3 Review This week, you will be reviewing all that you have learned about the Israelites, as well as the Phoenicians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and the Persians. Do the following for a thorough review: Day 1 Read the Let s Remember questions of the Chapter 3 Review on p. 67. Review your notes, keeping the questions in mind. If you have taken good notes, you should be able to answer the questions as you review, without having to look back in the textbook. Answer the Let s Remember questions on a separate sheet of paper. Use complete sentences. Write out answers to the Let s Consider questions of the Chapter Review on p. 68. These take some thought, so take your time. Your answers should be several sentences long. Day 2 Put the following dates one your timeline and memorize them: c B.C. King David 586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar s army sacks Jerusalem 515 B.C. Temple is rededicated Do the following review worksheets. Hi! It s me again. You make me work too hard! Can t I go play with sling shots like that David did?

64 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK Briefly describe the following people: Chapter 3 Review 1. Abram 2. Moses 3. Saul 4. David 5. Solomon 6. Jeremiah Briefly describe the following: 1. Philistines 2. Phoenicians 3. Assyrians 4. Ashurnasirpal 5. Babylonians 6. Nebuchadnezzar 7. King Cyrus II 8. Persians

65 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK 12 Define the following: 1. Covenant 2. Exodus 3. Mercenary 4. Tribute Make a Time Line graph showing when the Sumerians, Egyptians, Israelites, Phoenicians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians flourished. Use the information from the following two pages. 65

66 EARLIEST CIVILIZATIONS WEEK As you will see from the timeline, power changed hands many times throughout the ancient history of this area. It went from the Sumer to the Akkadians to the Babylonians to the Assyrians back to the Babylonians back to the Assyrians and finally to the Persians BC - The Sumer form the first towns and cities. They use irrigation to farm large areas of land BC - The Sumer establish powerful city-states building large ziggurats at the center of their cities as temples to their gods BC - Much of lower Mesopotamia is inhabited by numerous Sumer city-states such as Ur, Uruk, Eridu, Kish, Lagash, and Nippur BC - The Sumerians invent the first writing. They use pictures for words and inscribe them on clay tablets BC - The Sumerians begin to use the wheel on vehicles BC - The Sumerians start to implement mathematics using a number system with the base BC - The famous Sumerian King Gilgamesh rules the city-state of Ur BC - The Sumerian language is replaced by the Akkadian language as the primary spoken language in Mesopotamia BC - Sargon I of the Akkadians conquers most of the Sumerian city states and creates the world's first empire, the Akkadian Empire BC - King Naram-Sin of the Akkadians expands the empire to its largest state. He will rule for 50 years BC - After the Akkadian Empire crumbles, the Sumerians once again gain power. The city of Ur is rebuilt BC - The Elamites capture Ur BC - The Assyrians rise to power in northern Mesopotamia BC - Hammurabi becomes king of Babylon. He establishes the Code of Hammurabi and Babylon soon takes over much of Mesopotamia BC - King Shamshi-Adad of the Assyrians dies. The First Assyrian Empire is soon taken over by the Babylonians BC - Hammurabi dies and the First Babylonian Empire begins to fall apart BC - The Kassites take the city of Babylon BC - The Assyrians once again rise in power.

67 BC - The Assyrians begin to use iron weapons and chariots BC - The Assyrians capture Babylon BC - The Second Assyrian Empire reaches its peak under the rule of King Tiglath-Piliser I BC - Tiglath-Piliser dies and the Assyrian Empire becomes weaker for a time. 744 BC - The Assyrian Empire becomes strong once again under the rule of Tiglath-Piliser III. 721 BC - King Sargon II takes control of Assyria. The empire grows stronger. 709 BC - Sargon II takes control of the city of Babylon. 705 BC - Sargon II dies and Sennacherib becomes king. He moves the capital to Nineveh. 668 BC - Ashurbanipal becomes the last great King of Assyria. He establishes a great library in the city of Nineveh. 626 BC - Ashurbanipal dies and Assyria begins to crumble. 616 BC - Nabopolassar takes control of Babylon back from the Assyrians and crowns himself king. The neo-babylonian empire begins. 604 BC - Nabopolassar dies and Nebuchadnezzar II becomes King of Babylon. He will rule for 43 years and bring the Babylonian Empire to its peak. 550 BC - Cyrus the Great rises to power and the Persian Empire begins. 539 BC - Cyrus the Great takes the city of Babylon and lets the Jewish people return to Israel. * This Time Line taken from ducksters.com

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