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[[World History Lecture One|1]]-[[World History Lecture Two|2]]-[[World History Lecture Three|3]]-[[World History Lecture Four|4]]-[[World History Lecture Five|5]]-[[World History Lecture Six|6]]-[[World History Lecture Seven|7]]-[[World History Lecture Eight|8]]-[[World History Lecture Nine|9]]-[[World History Lecture Ten|10]]-[[World History Lecture Eleven|11]]-[[World History Lecture Twelve|12]]-[[World History Lecture Thirteen|13]]-[[World History Lecture Fourteen|14]]

[[World History Lecture One|1]]-[[World History Lecture Two|2]]-[[World History Lecture Three|3]]-[[World History Lecture Four|4]]-[[World History Lecture Five|5]]-[[World History Lecture Six|6]]-[[World History Lecture Seven|7]]-[[World History Lecture Eight|8]]-[[World History Lecture Nine|9]]-[[World History Lecture Ten|10]]-[[World History Lecture Eleven|11]]-[[World History Lecture Twelve|12]]-[[World History Lecture Thirteen|13]]-[[World History Lecture Fourteen|14]]

"World history" is the true story of thought, ideas, culture, language, wars, governments, and economic systems throughout ''all'' of mankind's history.  This includes billions of people over thousands of years.  Every source is available to us, from the Bible to ancient and modern historians.  Everything mankind has ever written, invented, observed, conquered and destroyed is part of "World history."  For example, we will study how Carthage was built into a power, and how it was then forever destroyed by its enemies from Rome.

"World history" is the true story of thought, ideas, culture, language, wars, governments, and economic systems throughout ''all'' of mankind's history.  This includes billions of people over thousands of years.  Every source is available to us, including the Bible.  Everything mankind has ever written, invented, observed, conquered and destroyed is part of "World history."  For example, we will study how Carthage was built into a power, and how it was then forever destroyed by its enemies from Rome.

Our course will place a special emphasis on aspects of World history that continue to be influential today, such as world religions and cultural conflicts; we will link what happened in ancient times to what is happening today.  We are the product of our past.  You can think about whether that is a good thing, or a bad thing.  Perhaps the answer depends on what we make of it.  We will make use of the Bible, which is greatest history book ever written.

Our course will place a special emphasis on aspects of World history that continue to be influential today, such as world religions and cultural conflicts; we will link what happened in ancient times to what is happening today.  We are the product of our past.  You can think about whether that is a good thing, or a bad thing.  Perhaps the answer depends on what we make of it.  We will make use of the Bible, which is the greatest history book ever written.

American history covers only about 400 years; World history concerns over 5000 years, going back to the first evidence of recorded events.  Our class covers much of the material in a course on Western Civilization or European history, but we cover more too.  We will learn about Islam and Hinduism and all the forces that continue to shape our world to this day.  One cannot fully understand 9/11, violence in the Middle East, or hostility between India and Pakistan without learning World history.

American history covers only about 400 years; World history concerns over 5000 years, going back to the first evidence of recorded events.  Our class covers much of the material in a course on Western Civilization or European history, but we cover more too.  We will learn about Islam and Hinduism and all the forces that continue to shape our world to this day.  One cannot fully understand 9/11, violence in the Middle East, or hostility between India and Pakistan without learning World history.

We will consider how mankind progressed in understanding the unseen, such as truth and gravity and God.  In mathematics, mankind progressed from the discovery of geometry ([[Greeks]]) to the concept of "zero" (Indians) to calculus (English).  In economics, mankind progressed from wage and price controls (Romans) to the "invisible hand" of the free market (English), which then unleashed tremendous prosperity.  Government progressed from rulers who claimed to be gods (Egyptians), to monarchs (Middle Ages), to constitutional republics (United States).  World history spans from pre-Christian to Christian.  What are we progressing towards now?  We will learn to use history to predict the future.

We will consider how mankind progressed in understanding the unseen, such as truth and gravity and God.  In mathematics, mankind progressed from the discovery of geometry ([[Greeks]]) to the concept of "zero" (Indians) to calculus (English).  In economics, mankind progressed from wage and price controls (Romans) to the "invisible hand" of the free market (Scottish), which then unleashed tremendous prosperity.  Government progressed from rulers who claimed to be gods (Egyptians), to monarchs (Middle Ages), to constitutional republics (United States).  World history spans from pre-Christian to Christian.  What are we progressing towards now?  We will learn to use history to predict the future.

Do not be misled by thinking that ancient peoples were dumb or boring because they lacked the technology of modern society.  The Egyptians, for example, cleverly built the massive pyramids using techniques that no one to this day can figure out or duplicate.  In 2600 B.C., they constructed the pyramid of Khufu containing 6 million tons of stone extending to a height of 481 feet.  The workmanship was superior to anything we do today: the rock base was virtually flat, not varying in elevation by more than a half-inch; its orientation is precisely aligned with the points of a compass; its stones were perfect fits.  Inside was a chapel, a causeway, and a temple.  It amazes architects to this day.  We would not be able to duplicate it, and no one knows how the Egyptians were able to build these intricate structures 4600 years ago.  Many other cultures, from Mesopotamia to Greece to Rome to India to China, invented things and discovered knowledge that no one today is smart enough to duplicate.  Can you build a useful wheel, or make paper?

Do not be misled by thinking that ancient peoples were dumb or boring because they lacked the technology of modern society.  The Egyptians, for example, cleverly built the massive pyramids using techniques that no one to this day can figure out or duplicate.  In 2600 B.C., they constructed the pyramid of Khufu containing 6 million tons of stone extending to a height of 481 feet.  The workmanship was superior to anything we do today: the rock base was virtually flat, not varying in elevation by more than a half-inch; its orientation is precisely aligned with the points of a compass; its stones were perfect fits.  Inside was a chapel, a causeway, and a temple.  It amazes architects to this day.  We would not be able to duplicate it, and no one knows how the Egyptians were able to build these intricate structures 4600 years ago.  Many other cultures, from Mesopotamia to Greece to Rome to India to China, invented things and discovered knowledge that no one today is smart enough to duplicate.  Can you build a useful wheel, or make paper?

A word about terminology: "B.C" means "Before (the birth of) Christ" and "A.D." means ''Anno Domini'' (Latin for "in the year of our Lord") or simply "After (the birth of) Christ."  The "1st century B.C." means the 1st century before Christ, counting backwards, which are the years 100-1 B.C.  The "6th century B.C." is thus 600-501 B.C.  The 20th century (A.D.) included the years A.D. 1901-2000.  Because A.D. means "in the year of our Lord," the truly proper form is to put the date after the A.D., as in A.D. 2006.  Dates are based on the birth of Christ, and it is wrong to erase Christ from the annotation, as school textbooks do with "BCE" for "Before the Common Era" and "CE" for "Common Era."  To convert from a public school textbook, remember that BCE = B.C. and CE = A.D.

A word about terminology: "B.C" means "Before (the birth of) Christ" and "A.D." means ''Anno Domini'' (Latin for "in the year of our Lord") or simply "After (the birth of) Christ."  The "1st century B.C." means the 1st century before Christ, counting backwards, which are the years 100-1 B.C.  The "6th century B.C." is thus 600-501 B.C.  The 20th century (A.D.) included the years A.D. 1901-2000.  Because A.D. means "in the year of our Lord," the truly proper form is to put the date after the A.D., as in A.D. 2006.  Dates are based on the birth of Christ, and it is wrong to erase Christ from the annotation, as school textbooks do with "BCE" for "Before the Common Era" and "CE" for "Common Era."  To convert from a public school textbook, remember that BCE = B.C. and CE = A.D.

World history divides into four sections:  Ancient History (Creation-A.D. 500), the Middle Ages (A.D. 500-1500), the Pre-Modern Era (A.D. 1500-1900), and the Modern Era (A.D. 1900-Current).  The Renaissance (A.D. 1300-1600), including the Reformation, overlaps with the Middle Ages and Pre-Modern Era.  Note that dates are not precise in this course: the further back in time we go, the less we know about the actual dates of key events.  For events before 1000 B.C., historians barely know a date within a few hundred years of its actual occurrence!

World history divides into four sections:  Ancient History (Creation-A.D. 500), the Middle Ages (A.D. 500-1500), the Pre-Modern Era (A.D. 1500-1900), and the Modern Era (A.D. 1900-Current).  The Renaissance (A.D. 1300-1600), including the Reformation, overlaps with the Middle Ages and Pre-Modern Era.  Note that dates are not precise in this course: the further back in time we go, the less we know about the actual dates of key events.  For events before about 1000 B.C., most estimated dates are actually plus or minus a few hundred years.

Let us begin.

Let us begin.

Historians feel that spoken language originated in southeastern Europe near the Black Sea, not far from the Ararat mountain range cited in the Bible in connection with Noah.  Using population estimates, we know that about 300 million people existed in the world at the time of Christ, and extrapolating backwards yields only one family in the year 3300 B.C.  The oldest trees do not predate this time; the oldest sequoias, which never die of old age, are no older than 2000 B.C.

Historians feel that spoken language originated in southeastern Europe near the Black Sea, not far from the Ararat mountain range cited in the Bible in connection with Noah.  Using population estimates, we know that about 300 million people existed in the world at the time of Christ, and extrapolating backwards yields only one family in the year 3300 B.C.  The oldest trees do not predate this time; the oldest sequoias, which never die of old age, are no older than 2000 B.C.

No "civilization" has been found that is older than about 3000 B.C.  By "civilization" we mean an order and hierarchy in the way of life.  Some type of political system or government is usually necessary to have a civilization.  A structure similar to a city or town is necessary to bring together people, jobs, buildings or religious centers.  Usually there are different classes of people, such as rich and poor.  Some historians say there must be an agricultural surplus also:  enough food to feed the people so that some workers could spend time in jobs other than farming.  In a nutshell, a civilization must have cities, skilled (non-farming) workers, social and government institutions, writing to maintain records such as property ownership, and advanced technology.  Memorize the oldest dates for the ancient civilizations:

No "civilization" has been found that is older than about 3000 B.C.  By "civilization" we mean an order and hierarchy in the way of life.  Some type of political system or government is usually necessary to have a civilization.  A structure similar to a city or town is necessary to bring together people, jobs, buildings or religious centers.  Usually there are different classes of people, such as rich and poor.  An agricultural surplus is also needed:  enough food to feed the people so that some workers could spend time in jobs other than farming.  In a nutshell, a civilization must have cities, skilled (non-farming) workers, social and government institutions, writing to maintain records such as property ownership, and advanced technology.  Memorize the oldest dates for the ancient civilizations:

<table border="1px" style="background-color:#F6F6F6;">

<table border="1px" style="background-color:#F6F6F6;">

<tr><td>'''Name'''</td><td>'''Time of existence'''</td></tr><tr><td>

<tr><td>'''Name'''</td><td>'''Time of existence'''</td></tr><tr><td>

[[Mesopotamia]] (Mes-uh-puh-tay-mee-uh)</td><td>3500 – 500 B.C., when conquered by Persia</tr><tr><td>

[[Mesopotamia]] (Mes-uh-puh-tay-mee-uh)</td><td>3500 – 500 B.C., when conquered by Persia</tr><tr><td>

Egypt</td><td> 3100 – 525 B.C., when conquered by the Hyksos (HIK-sohs)</td></tr><tr><td>

Egypt</td><td> 3100 – 525 B.C., when conquered by Persia</td></tr><tr><td>

Indus (IN-dus) Valley:</td><td>beginning in 2900 B.C.</td></tr><tr><td>

Indus (IN-dus) Valley</td><td>beginning in 2900 B.C.</td></tr><tr><td>

China:</td><td>beginning in 2200 B.C.</td></tr><tr><td>

China</td><td>beginning in 2200 B.C.</td></tr><tr><td>

Mexican Olmec (AWL-mek):</td><td> 1200 – 300 B.C., the earliest known American civilization</td></tr><tr><td>

Mexican Olmec (AWL-mek)</td><td> 1200 – 300 B.C., the earliest known American civilization</td></tr><tr><td>

Peru (South America):</td><td> 900 B.C.</td></tr></table>

Peru (South America)</td><td> 900 B.C.</td></tr></table>

<!--Please don't delete the table, I worked on it hard. -->

<!--Please don't delete the table, I worked on it hard. -->

History books speculate about "prehistory", which predates writing (i.e., before 3400 B.C.).  But there is no reliable evidence to support this speculation, and it is not worth spending time on.  There is no reason to think that man existed for thousands of years without ever expressing himself in written form.  But in case you are asked on a standardized test, historians describe the period of time known as "prehistory" as the "Stone Age."  They divide the Stone Age into two time periods: "Paleolithic" and "Neolithic".  The Paleolithic Age is older, when man relied mostly on hunting and picking nuts and fruit to supplement his diet.  The Paleolithic Age was followed by the Neolithic Age, which consisted of the rise of agriculture.  The "Neolithic Revolution" means the "Agricultural Revolution," when farming became dominant.  The dates of these ages are controversial, and historians have a bias for giving them older dates than archaeology actually proves.

History books speculate about "prehistory", which predates writing (i.e., before 3400 B.C.).  But there is no reliable evidence to support this speculation, and it is not worth spending time on.  There is no reason to think that man existed for thousands of years without ever expressing himself in written form.  But in case you are asked on a standardized test, historians describe the period of time known as "prehistory" as the "Stone Age."  They divide the Stone Age into two time periods: "Paleolithic" and "Neolithic".  The Paleolithic Age is older, when man relied mostly on hunting and picking nuts and fruit to supplement his diet.  The Paleolithic Age was followed by the Neolithic Age, which consisted of the rise of agriculture.  The "Neolithic Revolution" means the "Agricultural Revolution," when farming became dominant.  The dates of these ages are controversial, and historians have a bias for giving them older dates than archaeology actually proves.

So where did civilization begin?  In a region known as Mesopotamia, which is Greek for "land between the rivers."  The "rivers" are the Tigris and Euphrates, located in Western Asia.  Where, exactly?  Civilization began in fertile areas of Iraq northeast of the desert, known as part of the "Fertile Crescent."  It extends along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea (including modern Israel, Lebanon and Syria) and through the fertile valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that run southeast into the Persian Gulf (see the next page for the map).  These rivers deposited silt in the surrounding land, creating rich alluvial soil.  Today the Tigris and Euphrates rivers are not far from the location of our soldiers in Iraq.  But our soldiers are mostly pictured in dry, sandy areas, while the ancient people would have stayed close to the water.  Moreover, ancient floods have probably changed the landscape over time.

So where did civilization begin?  In a region known as Mesopotamia, which is Greek for "land between the rivers."  The "rivers" are the Tigris and Euphrates, located in Western Asia.  Where, exactly?  Civilization began in fertile areas of Iraq northeast of the desert, known as part of the "Fertile Crescent."  It extends along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea (including modern Israel, Lebanon and Syria) and through the fertile valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that run southeast into the Persian Gulf (see the next page for the map).  These rivers deposited silt in the surrounding land, creating rich alluvial soil.  Today the Tigris and Euphrates rivers are not far from the location of our soldiers in Iraq.  But our soldiers are mostly pictured in dry, sandy areas, while the ancient people would have stayed close to the water.  Moreover, ancient floods have probably changed the landscape over time.

Genesis 2:8-14 describes the beginning in Mesopotamia as follows: "Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. ... A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. ... The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur.  And the fourth river is the Euphrates."<ref>This course uses a variety of translations for the Bible, this time using the well-established "NIV" version.</ref>  Using the ages mentioned in the Bible and counting backwards, biblical scholars have dated this as about 6000 years ago, or about 4000 B.C.  This is about 500 years before our earliest record of ancient writings, which is what one might expect; it wouldn't take long for man to start writing messages, but the oldest messages are unlikely to be "extant" (still existing today).

Genesis 2:8-14 describes the beginning in Mesopotamia as follows: "Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. ... A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. ... The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur.  And the fourth river is the Euphrates."<ref>This course uses a variety of translations for the Bible, this time using the "NIV" version.</ref>  Using the ages mentioned in the Bible and counting backwards, biblical scholars have dated this as about 6000 years ago, or about 4000 B.C.  This is about 500 years before our earliest record of ancient writings, which is what one might expect; it wouldn't take long for man to start writing messages, but the oldest messages are unlikely to be "extant" (still existing today).

In the fourth millennium before Christ, between about 3500 and 3000 B.C., cities began to sprout up with their own political and economic systems.  Both of these developments occurred in southern Mesopotamia.  The first such city (that we know of) was called Sumer, and its occupants were the Sumerians.

In the fourth millennium before Christ, between about 3500 and 3000 B.C., cities began to sprout their own political and economic systems.  Both of these developments occurred in southern Mesopotamia.  The first such city (that we know of) was called Sumer, and its occupants were the Sumerians.

We owe a great deal to the work of the Sumerians.  They developed the first system of writing (the cuneiform), the first codes of law and the first "city-state" (essentially a nation consisting only of a large city).  Their inventions were marvelous: the seed plow, the sailboat, and the potter’s wheel.  (Distinguish "cuneiform" symbols from "ideograms", which show ideas with symbols such as arrows for war, from "phonograms", in which symbols represent sounds).

We owe a great deal to the work of the Sumerians.  They developed the first system of writing (the cuneiform), the first codes of law and the first "city-state" (essentially a nation consisting only of a large city).  Their inventions were marvelous: the seed plow, the sailboat, and the potter’s wheel.  (Distinguish "cuneiform" symbols from "ideograms", which show ideas with symbols such as arrows for war, from "phonograms", in which symbols represent sounds).

They built cities known as Eridu, Lagash, Ur, Uruk, Isin, Kish, just to name a few.  They were smart, and developed Akkadian as their language.  One interesting aspect of Akkadian is that it lacks any tense forms such as past or future tense.  The verbs expressed the manner of an action rather than its time.

They built cities known as Eridu, Lagash, Ur, Uruk, Isin, Kish, just to name a few.  They were smart, and developed Akkadian as their language.  One interesting aspect of Akkadian is that it lacks any tense forms such as past or future tense.  The verbs expressed the manner of an action rather than its time.

By 3000 B.C. the people had built major canals to channel water, and roads on which to travel.  Shepherds had dogs to help them tend the sheep, just as we use today to help herd sheep together.  Each city was surrounded by a moat and a wall of brick, with as many as 900 towers inside the city.  Soldiers watched people entering and exiting the city, and chariots and wagons carried people and goods within the city.  By 3000 B.C. mankind had already built a mini-version of Manhattan, without the automobile and steel skyscrapers.  But Mesopotamia (unlike Egypt and China) was not protected by geography, and would constantly face invasion by foreigners.

By 3000 B.C. the people had built major canals to channel water, and roads on which to travel.  Shepherds had dogs to help them tend the sheep, just as we use today to help herd sheep together.  Each city was surrounded by a moat and a wall of brick, with as many as 900 towers inside the city.  Soldiers watched people entering and exiting the city, and chariots and wagons carried people and goods within the city.  By 3000 B.C. mankind had already built a mini-version of Manhattan, without the automobile and steel skyscrapers.  But Mesopotamia (unlike Egypt and China) was not protected by geography, and constantly faced invasion by foreigners.

Do not think there was anything primitive about these ancient cities.  They had shipping, fishing, brewers and bakers.  They spun wool and traded fine jewelry.  They discovered the Pythagorean Theorem, though it was later named after a Greek.  In 2500 B.C., the queen of Ur, which was a prominent city, lived in a palace that featured harps and many servants.  Slavery existed, but it was typically confined to domestic work in the cities rather than hard labor on the farm.  Slaves were given a minimum standard of living and often had the opportunity to rise to freedom through diligent work.

Do not think there was anything primitive about these ancient cities.  They had shipping, fishing, brewers and bakers.  They spun wool and traded fine jewelry.  They discovered the Pythagorean Theorem, though it was later named after a Greek.  In 2500 B.C., the queen of Ur, which was a prominent city, lived in a palace that featured harps and many servants.  Slavery existed, but it was typically confined to domestic work in the cities rather than hard labor on a farm.  Slaves were given a minimum standard of living and often had the opportunity to rise to freedom through diligent work.

Temples were everywhere.  But the people also built stepped mountains known as ziggurats, with a temple on top, and the Bible tells how they tried to build one higher and higher.  A massive ziggurat at Ur that is described in Genesis 11:1-9 as the Tower of Babel led to hundreds of different languages (a division which may have also led to different ethnic groups) in the world.  As we shall learn in this course, language is a central part of a society that has much to do with its success or failure.  Societies with useful and powerful languages prospered; those with difficult-to-use and weak languages failed.

Temples were everywhere.  But the people also built stepped mountains known as ziggurats, with a temple on top, and the Bible tells how they tried to build one higher and higher.  A massive ziggurat at Ur that is described in Genesis 11:1-9 as the Tower of Babel led to hundreds of different languages (a division which may have also led to different ethnic groups) in the world.  As we shall learn in this course, language is a central part of a society that has much to do with its success or failure.  Societies with useful and powerful languages prospered; those with difficult-to-use and weak languages failed.

Genesis Chapter 10 places the roots of modern mankind in Noah and his three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.  The term "Semitic" means "pertaining to the descendants of Shem," and includes Assyrians, Chaldeans, Aramaeans, Sabaeans, and Hebrews (now known as Jews).  Semitic languages include Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic.  Semitic religions include Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  One of Noah's descendants was Abram, who later changed his name to Abraham to reflect his covenant with God.

Genesis Chapter 10 places the roots of modern mankind in Noah and his three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.  The term "Semitic" means "pertaining to the descendants of Shem," and includes Assyrians, Chaldeans, Aramaeans, Sabaeans, and Hebrews (now known as Jews).  Semitic languages include Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic.  Semitic religions include Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  One of Noah's descendants was Abram, who later changed his name to Abraham to reflect his covenant with God.

Both the Bible and many independent sources describe a Great Flood (or "Deluge"), which historians date at about 3300 or 3000 B.C.  Very little of any history, including writings and civilization, has survived from before that time.  The biblical account of the Flood is at Genesis 5-8, describing an ark having reasonable dimensions similar to modern ocean steamships.  A non-biblical Sumerian (from Sumer in Mesopotamia) account of the Flood was found in the last hundred years, and that account was apparently written about 1600 B.C.  Even better, a cuneiform tablet from Babylon was found dating from 3000 B.C., which also described a massive flood in great detail.  There are many other ancient accounts of a massive flood found in most other cultures around the world.  Fossils and limestone (the result of ocean sediment) are found today on mountaintops and land worldwide at all altitudes.  Independent accounts of a great flood can be found in ancient works of China, India, Britain (Druid) and American Indians, all having striking similar details.<ref>See, e.g., http://www.searchgodsword.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?number=T2631</ref>  Recently two scientists at Columbia University published a widely praised book, entitled "Noah's Flood," which proved that the Flood did occur.  This book concludes that the biblical Flood "is surely a true story of the permanent destruction of a land and its people ...."<ref>Ryan & Pitman, "Noah's Flood" (Simon & Schuster, NY: 1998), p. 251.</ref>  Yet no public school textbook ever mentions a massive flood.

Both the Bible and many independent sources describe a Great Flood (or "Deluge"), having an estimated date of about 3300 or 3000 B.C.  Very little of any history, including writings and civilization, has survived from before that time.  The biblical account of the Flood is at Genesis 5-8, describing an ark having reasonable dimensions similar to modern ocean steamships.  A non-biblical Sumerian (from Sumer in Mesopotamia) account of the Flood was found in the last hundred years, and that account was apparently written about 1600 B.C.  Even better, a cuneiform tablet from Babylon was found dating from 3000 B.C., which also described a massive flood in great detail.  There are many other ancient accounts of a massive flood found in most other cultures around the world.  Fossils and limestone (the result of ocean sediment) are found today on mountaintops and land worldwide at all altitudes.  Independent accounts of a great flood can be found in ancient works of China, India, Britain (Druid) and American Indians, all having striking similar details.<ref>See, e.g., http://www.searchgodsword.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?number=T2631</ref>  Recently two scientists at Columbia University published a widely praised book, entitled "Noah's Flood," which proved that the Flood did occur.  This book concludes that the biblical Flood "is surely a true story of the permanent destruction of a land and its people ...."<ref>Ryan & Pitman, "Noah's Flood" (Simon & Schuster, NY: 1998), p. 251.</ref>  Yet no public school textbook ever mentions a massive flood.

Civilization prospered in Sumeria, and wars soon broke out.  The northwest (Akkad) was constantly fighting the southeast (Sumer), and eventually an Akkadian warrior named Sargon conquered Mesopotamia.  Sargon was the first person in recorded history to create an empire or multi-ethnic state, from 2334 to 2279 B.C.  His empire included the region of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and also part of what is Turkey today.  The capital of his empire was Agade in Akkad.  But like many military rulers, his empire collapsed when he died.  He did not have a civil (non-military) form of government to pay his soldiers and sustain his empire.  Instead, he could only survive as long his soldiers continued to capture and loot.  Once the empire stopped expanding upon his death, it collapsed.  At the time, the city of Ur in Sumer was the leading city.

Civilization prospered in Sumeria, and wars soon broke out.  The northwest (Akkad) was constantly fighting the southeast (Sumer), and eventually an Akkadian warrior named Sargon conquered Mesopotamia.  Sargon was the first person in recorded history to create an empire or multi-ethnic state, from 2334 to 2279 B.C.  His empire included the region of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and also part of what is Turkey today.  The capital of his empire was Agade in Akkad.  But like many military rulers, his empire collapsed when he died.  He did not have a civil (non-military) form of government to pay his soldiers and sustain his empire.  Instead, he could only survive as long his soldiers continued to capture and loot.  Once the empire stopped expanding upon his death, it collapsed.  At the time, the city of Ur in Sumer was the leading city.

"free man" (non-slave), then the punishment was to break one of your bones.  That was simple and effective, and the Old Testament uses a similar approach in some ways (ask yourself: who used this first?).  The Eighth Commandment in the Old Testament states, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."  Hammurabi's Code states if someone accuses another of doing something wrong, but cannot prove it, then the accuser shall be killed.

"free man" (non-slave), then the punishment was to break one of your bones.  That was simple and effective, and the Old Testament uses a similar approach in some ways (ask yourself: who used this first?).  The Eighth Commandment in the Old Testament states, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."  Hammurabi's Code states if someone accuses another of doing something wrong, but cannot prove it, then the accuser shall be killed.

Hammurabi attempted to be righteous and much of his correspondence survives to this day.  He encouraged legal contracts, but he also limited the amount of interest and wages that could be earned.  After 29 years of establishing order, he then conquered all of Mesopotamia, making him the first king of the Babylonian Empire.  To this day Hammurabi is respected by historians as a great leader who achieved an enormous amount of progress that benefits all of mankind.  

Hammurabi attempted to be righteous and much of his correspondence survives to this day.  He encouraged legal contracts, but he also limited the amount of interest and wages that could be earned.  After 29 years of establishing order, he then conquered all of Mesopotamia, making him the first king of the Babylonian Empire.  To this day Hammurabi is respected as a great leader who achieved an enormous amount of progress that benefits all of mankind.  

'''Debate:  Which matters more in making a society successful: its laws or its language?'''

'''Debate:  Which matters more in making a society successful: its laws or its language?'''

While the Kassites were in control of Babylon, the oldest religion that is still active today began: Judaism.  The ancient Hebrews were descendants of Abram (later in his life his name became "Abraham", meaning "father of many"), who lived in Ur around 2000 B.C., and his wife Sarah, through their son Isaac and Isaac's son Jacob.  Later the name of the ancient Hebrews became known as the "Israelites", once the kingdom of the Hebrews was established with the crowning of King David around 1000 B.C.  But Israel did not remain intact as a nation in the ancient world; after the reigns of King David and his son Solomon, it split into two kingdoms, and then was captured and taken into captivity.  Beginning with the terminology in the Book of Esther, which was written between 200 and 300 B.C., the people of the former Israel became known as the "Jewish people," or the "Jews".  Judaism did not exist before Abraham, and it is not known where his ancestors lived in the prior millennium; they could have lived throughout the Middle East, including ancient Egypt.

While the Kassites were in control of Babylon, the oldest religion that is still active today began: Judaism.  The ancient Hebrews were descendants of Abram (later in his life his name became "Abraham", meaning "father of many"), who lived in Ur around 2000 B.C., and his wife Sarah, through their son Isaac and Isaac's son Jacob.  Later the name of the ancient Hebrews became known as the "Israelites", once the kingdom of the Hebrews was established with the crowning of King David around 1000 B.C.  But Israel did not remain intact as a nation in the ancient world; after the reigns of King David and his son Solomon, it split into two kingdoms, and then was captured and taken into captivity.  Beginning with the terminology in the Book of Esther, which was written between 200 and 300 B.C., the people of the former Israel became known as the "Jewish people," or the "Jews".  Judaism did not exist before Abraham, and it is not known where his ancestors lived in the prior millennium; they could have lived throughout the Middle East, including ancient Egypt.

The timeline is easy to remember:  '''Jesus (6 B.C. to about A.D. 30) lived half-way between Abraham (2000 B.C.) and today (A.D. 2009).  King David and the founding of Israel was halfway between Abraham and Jesus.'''

The timeline is easy to remember:  '''Jesus (6 B.C. to about A.D. 30) lived half-way between Abraham (2000 B.C.) and today (A.D. 2011).  King David and the founding of Israel was halfway between Abraham and Jesus.'''

The conflict between the Hebrew (Jewish) and Arab peoples is described by some as a family feud.  Both sides are descended from the same father, Abraham, as recounted in Genesis 16.  But Jewish and Arab peoples trace their lineage from different sons of Abraham who were rivals for their father's love.  The Bible states that Jewish people are descendants of Isaac, the child of Abraham and Sarah.  The Koran (the main holy book of Islam) states that Arabs are descended from Ishmael, the son of Abraham (then Abram) and the Egyptian woman Hagar.  The Old Testament teaches that Abraham offered to sacrifice his son Isaac to the Lord, while Islam teaches that Abraham's sacrifice was of his son Ishmael.  Islam teaches that Ishmael helped Abraham build a mosque in Mecca (the venerated Kaaba).  Ishmael went a different way from the rest of Abraham's family, and there have been hard feelings by Ishmael's descendants ever since.  Note that the Bible's version of this was written first, preceding the Koran by over a thousand years.

The conflict between the Hebrew (Jewish) and Arab peoples is described by some as a family feud.  Both sides are descended from the same father, Abraham, as recounted in Genesis 16.  But Jewish and Arab peoples trace their lineage from different sons of Abraham who were rivals for their father's love.  The Bible states that Jewish people are descendants of Isaac, the child of Abraham and Sarah.  The Koran (the main holy book of Islam) states that Arabs are descended from Ishmael, the son of Abraham (then Abram) and the Egyptian woman Hagar.  The Old Testament teaches that Abraham offered to sacrifice his son Isaac to the Lord, while Islam teaches that Abraham's sacrifice was of his son Ishmael.  Islam teaches that Ishmael helped Abraham build a mosque in Mecca (the venerated Kaaba).  Ishmael went a different way from the rest of Abraham's family, and there have been hard feelings by Ishmael's descendants ever since.  Note that the Bible's version of this was written first, preceding the Koran by over a thousand years.

|-

|-

|Moses and Exodus

|Moses and Exodus

|1447 or 1270 B.C.

|1447<ref>Another estimated date for Moses and Exodus is 1270 B.C.</ref>

|-

|-

|Entering the Promised Land

|Entering the Promised Land

|1400 or 1230 B.C.

|1400<ref>Another estimated date for entering the Promised Land is 1230 B.C.</ref>

|-

|-

|Israelite kingdom established under King David

|Israelite kingdom established under King David

|}

|}

While most ancient peoples worshiped many pagan (non-existent) gods, the Hebrews worshiped only one God (but even misbehaving Hebrews had false gods – note the Second Commandment).  The Hebrews referred to God as "Yahweh" (or "Jehovah"), and to this day some observant Jewish people consider it improper to write the name of God, and instead they write "G-d".  "Yahweh" simply means "I am who I am," written in the Hebrew language (which lacks vowels) as YHWH.  ("Yah" by itself means simply, "I am.")  It is the name God instructed Moses to use at the encounter at the miraculous burning bush that continued to burn without destruction in Exodus 3:14:  "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM'; and He said, 'Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

While most ancient peoples worshiped many pagan (non-existent) gods, the Hebrews worshiped only one God (but even misbehaving Hebrews had false gods – note the Second Commandment).  The Hebrews referred to God as "Yahweh" (or "Jehovah"), and to this day some observant Jewish people consider it improper to write the name of God, and instead they write "G-d".  "Yahweh" simply means "I am who I am," written in the Hebrew language (which lacks vowels) as YHWH.  ("Yah" by itself means simply, "I am.")  It is the name God instructed Moses to use at the encounter at the miraculous burning bush that continued to burn without destruction, in Exodus 3:14:  "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM'; and He said, 'Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

It remains a mystery as to precisely when the books of the Old Testament were written, but here are some estimates:

It remains a mystery as to precisely when the books of the Old Testament were written, but here are some estimates:

|Genesis and all of Pentateuch

|Genesis and all of Pentateuch

|1440-1400 B.C.

|1440-1400 B.C.

|Time of Moses and Exodus (early dates used)

|Time of Moses and Exodus

|Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy

|Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy

|-

|-

|-

|-

|Wisdom Literature

|Wisdom Literature

|dating back perhaps older than Genesis

|perhaps older than Genesis

|Job, David & Solomon are main authors

|Job, David & Solomon are main authors

|Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs

|Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs

<big>'''Assyrian Empire'''</big>

<big>'''Assyrian Empire'''</big>

The Assyrians defeated the Kingdom of Israel in 772 B.C, and then scattered and dispersed the ten Hebrew tribes throughout the Assyrian Kingdom.  The Assyrian empire was so powerful because it used iron weapons and battering rams, and did not hesitate even to tunnel under enemies' walls.  The Assyrians also enslaved the peoples it captured, taking them away from their homeland.  The scattering of the Hebrews by the Assyrians was the first of several "diaspora" (pronounced deye-AS-puh-ruh), which means the scattering of the Jewish people away from their homeland.  In Judah, however, a young ruler known as Joshua ultimately rose to power in 640 B.C. and overthrew the Assyrian influence, which was in a state of decline then.  But Joshua himself ran into the merciless power of the Chaldean empire.

The Assyrians defeated the Kingdom of Israel in 772 B.C, and then scattered and dispersed the ten Hebrew tribes throughout the Assyrian Kingdom.  The Assyrian empire was powerful because it used iron weapons and battering rams, and did not hesitate even to tunnel under enemies' walls.  The Assyrians also enslaved the peoples it captured, taking them away from their homeland.  The scattering of the Hebrews by the Assyrians was the first of several "diaspora" (pronounced deye-AS-puh-ruh), which means the scattering of the Jewish people away from their homeland.  In Judah, however, a young ruler known as Joshua ultimately rose to power in 640 B.C. and overthrew the Assyrian influence, which was in a state of decline then.  But Joshua himself ran into the merciless power of the Chaldean empire.

The Chaldean empire defeated both the Hebrews and the Assyrians.  Chaldea was the region in southern Babylonia, covering what is now southern Iraq.  This land borders the coast of the Persian Gulf between the Euphrates delta and the Arabian desert.

The Chaldean empire defeated both the Hebrews and the Assyrians.  Chaldea was the region in southern Babylonia, covering what is now southern Iraq.  This land borders the coast of the Persian Gulf between the Euphrates delta and the Arabian desert.

Nebuchadnezzar II was a military genius who demonstrated his prowess with a massive conquest of the Egyptian army in 606 or 605 B.C., thereby gaining control of all of Syria. After his father's death, he obtained the submission of Judah and spent the next few years expanding the Babylonian empire into Palestine. Although Nebuchadnezzar suffered many losses, he persisted and ultimately captured Jerusalem on March 16, 597, and then later again in 586, when the Chaldeans also destroyed Solomon's temple.  Nebuchadnezzar kidnapped and deported prominent Hebrews back to Babylonia, as recounted in the Bible and known as the Babylonian Exile.  Nebuchadnezzar was a godless military commander who suffered from seven years of madness, but at times he protected key prophets like Jeremiah.  Daniel described the period of madness by Nebuchadnezzar, but the Babylonian people did not dare criticize their own ruler.  Daniel 4:34-37.

Nebuchadnezzar II was a military genius who demonstrated his prowess with a massive conquest of the Egyptian army in 606 or 605 B.C., thereby gaining control of all of Syria. After his father's death, he obtained the submission of Judah and spent the next few years expanding the Babylonian empire into Palestine. Although Nebuchadnezzar suffered many losses, he persisted and ultimately captured Jerusalem on March 16, 597, and then later again in 586, when the Chaldeans also destroyed Solomon's temple.  Nebuchadnezzar kidnapped and deported prominent Hebrews back to Babylonia, as recounted in the Bible and known as the Babylonian Exile.  Nebuchadnezzar was a godless military commander who suffered from seven years of madness, but at times he protected key prophets like Jeremiah.  Daniel described the period of madness by Nebuchadnezzar, but the Babylonian people did not dare criticize their own ruler.  Daniel 4:34-37.

Babylon was a culture that did not have the value system of the Hebrews, and Babylonians did not accept God.  The Babylonians were constantly raiding, kidnapping, killing or converting the Hebrews into slaves.  Much of the Old Testament is about how the Hebrews would gain or lose favor with the Lord, and the Babylonians would prevail against the Hebrews as they lost favor with the Lord.  "Babylon" is mentioned 246 times in the Old Testament!

Babylon was a culture that did not have the good moral values of the Hebrews, and Babylonians did not accept God.  The Babylonians were constantly raiding, kidnapping, killing or converting the Hebrews into slaves.  Much of the Old Testament is about how the Hebrews would gain or lose favor with the Lord, and the Babylonians would prevail against the Hebrews as they lost favor with the Lord.  "Babylon" is mentioned 246 times in the Old Testament!

Because he captured and exiled the Hebrews, King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon is mentioned frequently in the Old Testament.  As mentioned above, it was during his second invasion of Jerusalem, the city that had been previously established as the Hebrew center by David in 1000 B.C., that Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the holy Temple built by King Solomon ("Solomon's Temple").  Nebuchadnezzar then captured the Jewish people and took them back to Babylon in what is known as the Babylonian Exile or Captivity, which lasted from 597 to 538 B.C. (beginning with his first invasion of Jerusalem).  "But because our ancestors had angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried away the people to Babylonia."  Ezra 5:12.

Because he captured and exiled the Hebrews, King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon is mentioned frequently in the Old Testament.  As mentioned above, it was during his second invasion of Jerusalem, the city that had been previously established as the Hebrew center by David in 1000 B.C., that Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the holy Temple built by King Solomon ("Solomon's Temple").  Nebuchadnezzar then captured the Jewish people and took them back to Babylon in what is known as the Babylonian Exile or Captivity, which lasted from 597 to 538 B.C. (beginning with his first invasion of Jerusalem).  "But because our ancestors had angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried away the people to Babylonia."  Ezra 5:12.

The Hebrews rebuilt Jerusalem's walls and temple, but did not restore the magnificence the city had under Solomon.  The Hebrews remained under Persian rule until Alexander the Great conquered the Persians around 330 B.C.  Later, when the Roman Empire rose to power, Palestine became a province to Rome, until Palestine rebelled and Rome retaliated by destroying the temple in A.D. 70, again dispersing the Jewish people to distant lands.

The Hebrews rebuilt Jerusalem's walls and temple, but did not restore the magnificence the city had under Solomon.  The Hebrews remained under Persian rule until Alexander the Great conquered the Persians around 330 B.C.  Later, when the Roman Empire rose to power, Palestine became a province to Rome, until Palestine rebelled and Rome retaliated by destroying the temple in A.D. 70, again dispersing the Jewish people to distant lands.

''To what do we owe the ancient Hebrews?''  The concept of monotheism: one and only one God.  The Hebrews established the covenant of loyalty between God and his chosen ones.  Part of the covenant was the promise of a future Messiah to save the people from their sins, and Jewish people debate today whether the Messiah was supposed to establish a kingdom on earth.  Later some Jewish people accepted Jesus as the Messiah, while some did not.  The moral code by which the Hebrew people strove to live was set forth in the Ten Commandments, which were carved in stone and kept in the sacred Ark of the Covenant as described repeatedly in the Bible (see, e.g., Exodus 25:9-10).  Highly specific requirements of daily life are also set forth in the Torah (the Pentateuch, or first five books of the Old Testament).  The authorities on Jewish law are known as "rabbis", but there is no single, centralized religious authority on Judaism like a pope.  Next to the Bible, the next most authoritative Jewish work is the Talmud, which is a collection of writings by rabbis.

''To what do we owe the ancient Hebrews?''  The concept of monotheism: one and only one God.  The Hebrews established the covenant of loyalty between God and His chosen ones.  Part of the covenant was the promise of a future Messiah to save the people from their sins, and Jewish people debate today whether the Messiah was supposed to establish a kingdom on earth.  Later some Jewish people accepted Jesus as the Messiah, while some did not.  The moral code by which the Hebrew people strove to live was set forth in the Ten Commandments, which were carved in stone and kept in the sacred Ark of the Covenant as described repeatedly in the Bible (see, e.g., Exodus 25:9-10).  Highly specific requirements of daily life are also set forth in the Torah (the Pentateuch, or first five books of the Old Testament).  The authorities on Jewish law are known as "rabbis", but there is no single, centralized religious authority on Judaism like a pope.  Next to the Bible, the most authoritative Jewish work is the Talmud, which is a collection of writings by rabbis.

==Egypt==

==Egypt==

The Christian Copts trace their ancestors directly to the ancient Egyptians.  Unlike the Muslims in Egypt, who consider themselves Arabs, the Christian Copts do not consider themselves to be Arabs and the Christian Copts still use ancient Egyptian surnames.  They cite the sojourn by Jesus' family in Egypt to escape Herod, and the proselytizing in Egypt by Saint Mark the Evangelist, who wrote the Gospel and was martyred at Alexandria, Egypt.  He is considered the first leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, followed by an unbroken line of 117 successors to the present Pope Shenouda III.  A pharaoh was considered to be a sun god, and eventually monotheism (one all-powerful god) became popular in Egypt, with the sun god Aton commanding all Egyptians' attention.   

The Christian Copts trace their ancestors directly to the ancient Egyptians.  Unlike the Muslims in Egypt, who consider themselves Arabs, the Christian Copts do not consider themselves to be Arabs and the Christian Copts still use ancient Egyptian surnames.  They cite the sojourn by Jesus' family in Egypt to escape Herod, and the proselytizing in Egypt by Saint Mark the Evangelist, who wrote the Gospel and was martyred at Alexandria, Egypt.  He is considered the first leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, followed by an unbroken line of 117 successors to the present Pope Shenouda III.  A pharaoh was considered to be a sun god, and eventually monotheism (one all-powerful god) became popular in Egypt, with the sun god Aton commanding all Egyptians' attention.   

''Language'': The Egyptians developed a written language consisting of hieroglyphics, which are pictographs.  It originated around 3100 B.C.  It was written on papyrus as a kind of paper; papyrus is a thin parchment constructed from reeds near the Nile river.  Historians could not understand hieroglyphics until the discovery of the "Rosetta Stone" by Napoleon's troops in 1799 near the seaside town of Rosetta, located in northern Egypt.  It sits in the British Museum today.  It consists of a slab of black basalt inscribing a royal decree to the king Ptolemy V, dating from 196 B.C.  The Stone is marvelous in inscribing the same message three times: once in Greek, once in Demotic (a simple form of hieroglyphics used 700 B.C. to A.D. 400), and once in hieroglyphic.  This enabled Frenchman Jean Francois Champollion to determine what the hieroglyphic characters mean, and build a dictionary that could be used to translate other works written in hieroglyphics.   

''Language'': The Egyptians developed a written language consisting of hieroglyphics, which are pictographs.  It originated around 3100 B.C.  It was written on papyrus as a kind of paper; papyrus is a thin parchment constructed from reeds near the Nile river.  No one could fully understand hieroglyphics until the discovery of the "Rosetta Stone" by Napoleon's troops in 1799 near the seaside town of Rosetta, located in northern Egypt.  It sits in the British Museum today.  It consists of a slab of black basalt inscribing a royal decree to the king Ptolemy V, dating from 196 B.C.  The Stone is marvelous in inscribing the same message three times: once in Greek, once in Demotic (a simple form of hieroglyphics used 700 B.C. to A.D. 400), and once in hieroglyphic.  This enabled Frenchman Jean Francois Champollion to determine what the hieroglyphic characters mean, and build a dictionary that could be used to translate other works written in hieroglyphics.   

Egypt's complex, picture-based language probably hindered its growth.  The picture-based language was not as easy to use as the alphabet-based Phoenician language later adopted by the Greeks and Romans.  How would one express Christian concepts like salvation, faith, hope and redemption in hieroglyphics?  It seems impossible.

Egypt's complex, picture-based language probably hindered its growth.  The picture-based language was not as easy to use as the alphabet-based Phoenician language later adopted by the Greeks and Romans.  How would one express Christian concepts like salvation, faith, hope and redemption in hieroglyphics?  It seems impossible.