Phoenicia, c. 1000-300 BC/BCE
On a map of the ancient Mediterranean world, locate Greece, Asia Minor, Crete, Phoenicia, the Aegean, and the Red Sea. On a modern map, locate Greece, Crete, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria.
The map to the left is a map of ancient Greece, Crete, Asia Minor, the Agean Sea and Phoenicia it does not include the Red Sea. Phoenicia is located on the right side of the map, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, in the land of modern-day Lebanon, Israel and Syria.
The map below includes Greece, Crete, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria. The Red Sea is shown in the bottom right corner.
The map below includes Greece, Crete, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria. The Red Sea is shown in the bottom right corner.
Identify the Phoenicians as the successors to the Minoans in dominating maritime trade in the Mediterranean from c. 1000-300 BC/BCE. Describe how the Phoenician writing system was the first alphabet (with 22 symbols for consonants) and the precursor of the first complete alphabet developed by the ancient Greeks (with symbols representing both consonants and vowels).
Focus Question: Who were the Phoenicians and what impact did they have on the Ancient Mediterranean world?
See The Phoenicians and the Phoenician Experience in Lebanon from Cambridge and Boston Press for an overview of the Phoenicians.
Essential Understandings
1) The Minoans were a civilization based on the island of Crete, and they dominated trade by sea until their collapse around 1400 BCE. They traded goods around the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean, including copper, tin, ivory, and gold. Little is known about the nature of their society, but evidence of their trade goods has been found all around the Aegean and Asia Minor (modern Turkey), and Minoans are even depicted in Egyptian art of the time. Their society collapsed, it is thought, due to a massive volcanic eruption in the area which destroyed their ships and left them vulnerable to invasion by the Mycenaeans from mainland Greece.
2) The Phoenicians can be thought of as successors to the Minoans, in that they also built their civilization around intensive maritime trading in the eastern Mediterranean region. Their best-known trade good was a purple dye extracted from mollusks, called Tyrian Purple after their city Tyre, but they also traded in many other goods such as glass, wine, salt, cedar wood, and fish. Their trade was wider-ranged, however, due to their superior naval abilities. Their ships had keels rather than flat bottoms, which permitted them to sail further away from shore, and they are thought to be the first people to make use of Polaris, the North Star, for navigation. They maintained their control over long-distance trade by keeping their trade routes, including a knowledge of regional winds and currents, a secret from outsiders. The Phoenicians established colonies all around the Mediterranean, from the island of Cyprus to southern Spain. One of the best known of these colonies was the city of Carthage, which would later become a major rival to Rome in the Western Mediterranean. When the Egyptian Pharaoh, Necho II, organized an expedition to sail all the way around Africa (610-595 BCE), it was Phoenician sailors who completed the voyage for him.
Click here for a detailed account of Phoenician trade, navigation, and ship building.
A map of the Mediterranean, showing Phoenician cities and colonies
Focus Question: What was the Phoenician writing system?
Essential Understandings
1) The Phoenician alphabet is one of their most important contributions to the world today. Probably developed to help keep records of their trading, the Phoenician alphabet is the first documented alphabet in the world to use symbols to represent sounds rather than whole words, as is the case with Egyptian hieroglyphs. Their alphabet had 22 letters, each representing a consonant. Through trade, their alphabet spread to others such as the Greeks, who developed it further by adding letters for vowels.
2) The Greek alphabet was the basis for nearly all of the alphabets in Europe, and some other alphabets as far away as India. Even the modern English alphabet today would not be possible without the contributions made by the Phoenicians thousands of years ago.
Video of Phoenician Alphabet and correct pronunciation
Documents and Sources:
[1] 2007. http://www.ancient-greece.org/history/minoan.html
[2] 2009 http://wsu.edu/~dee/MINOA/HISTORY.HTM
[3] 2007. http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/aegean/theculturesofgreece/phoenician.html
[4] 2007. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature2/index.html?fs=www3.nationalgeographic.com&fs=plasma.nationalgeographic.com
[5] 2009 http://phoenicia.org/imgs/maps/pages/zzzzphoecolontradeposts.htm
[6] 2007.http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/aneancientmaps/a/ancneareastmaps.html&Horde=b151af4fc3984c212991a9e32f7695e5|http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/aneancientmaps/a/ancneareastmaps.html]]
[7] 2009 http://phoenicia.org/alphabet.html
[8] 2009 http://looklex.com/e.o/phoenicia.ht
[9] 2011http://www.omniglot.com/writing/phoenician.htm
See The Phoenicians and the Phoenician Experience in Lebanon from Cambridge and Boston Press for an overview of the Phoenicians.
Essential Understandings
1) The Minoans were a civilization based on the island of Crete, and they dominated trade by sea until their collapse around 1400 BCE. They traded goods around the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean, including copper, tin, ivory, and gold. Little is known about the nature of their society, but evidence of their trade goods has been found all around the Aegean and Asia Minor (modern Turkey), and Minoans are even depicted in Egyptian art of the time. Their society collapsed, it is thought, due to a massive volcanic eruption in the area which destroyed their ships and left them vulnerable to invasion by the Mycenaeans from mainland Greece.
2) The Phoenicians can be thought of as successors to the Minoans, in that they also built their civilization around intensive maritime trading in the eastern Mediterranean region. Their best-known trade good was a purple dye extracted from mollusks, called Tyrian Purple after their city Tyre, but they also traded in many other goods such as glass, wine, salt, cedar wood, and fish. Their trade was wider-ranged, however, due to their superior naval abilities. Their ships had keels rather than flat bottoms, which permitted them to sail further away from shore, and they are thought to be the first people to make use of Polaris, the North Star, for navigation. They maintained their control over long-distance trade by keeping their trade routes, including a knowledge of regional winds and currents, a secret from outsiders. The Phoenicians established colonies all around the Mediterranean, from the island of Cyprus to southern Spain. One of the best known of these colonies was the city of Carthage, which would later become a major rival to Rome in the Western Mediterranean. When the Egyptian Pharaoh, Necho II, organized an expedition to sail all the way around Africa (610-595 BCE), it was Phoenician sailors who completed the voyage for him.
Click here for a detailed account of Phoenician trade, navigation, and ship building.
A map of the Mediterranean, showing Phoenician cities and colonies
Focus Question: What was the Phoenician writing system?
Essential Understandings
1) The Phoenician alphabet is one of their most important contributions to the world today. Probably developed to help keep records of their trading, the Phoenician alphabet is the first documented alphabet in the world to use symbols to represent sounds rather than whole words, as is the case with Egyptian hieroglyphs. Their alphabet had 22 letters, each representing a consonant. Through trade, their alphabet spread to others such as the Greeks, who developed it further by adding letters for vowels.
2) The Greek alphabet was the basis for nearly all of the alphabets in Europe, and some other alphabets as far away as India. Even the modern English alphabet today would not be possible without the contributions made by the Phoenicians thousands of years ago.
Video of Phoenician Alphabet and correct pronunciation
Documents and Sources:
[1] 2007. http://www.ancient-greece.org/history/minoan.html
[2] 2009 http://wsu.edu/~dee/MINOA/HISTORY.HTM
[3] 2007. http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/aegean/theculturesofgreece/phoenician.html
[4] 2007. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature2/index.html?fs=www3.nationalgeographic.com&fs=plasma.nationalgeographic.com
[5] 2009 http://phoenicia.org/imgs/maps/pages/zzzzphoecolontradeposts.htm
[6] 2007.http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/aneancientmaps/a/ancneareastmaps.html&Horde=b151af4fc3984c212991a9e32f7695e5|http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/aneancientmaps/a/ancneareastmaps.html]]
[7] 2009 http://phoenicia.org/alphabet.html
[8] 2009 http://looklex.com/e.o/phoenicia.ht
[9] 2011http://www.omniglot.com/writing/phoenician.htm
Ancient Israel, c. 2000 BC/BCE-70 AD/CE
On a historical map of the Mediterranean, locate Asia Minor, Greece and Mesopotamia, the kingdoms of the Hittites and ancient Israel, and Egypt. On a modern map, locate Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, the area governed by the Palestinian Authority, Syria, and Turkey.
1) Locate the following historical areas on this map of the Mediterranean (answers below):a. Asia Minor
b. Greece
c. Mesopotamia
d. kingdoms of the Hittites and Ancient Israel
e. Egypt
2) Locate the following areas on this modern map:
a. Egypt
b. Greece
c. Israel
d. Jordan
e. Lebanon
f. the area governed by the Palestinian Authority
g. Syria
h. Turkey
Answers to the Map Activity
Visit here for interactive Flash Cards.
Works Cited:
[1] Bible Prophecy and History: Maps. Retrieved February 8, 2007, Web site:http://www.teachinghearts.org/dr0imap7churches.gif
[2] Turkey, Mesopotamia, and the Middle East. Retrieved February 8, 2007, Web site:http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/maps/mesopotamia_turkey.htm
[3] Maps of Historical Israel, Palestine, and the Region. Retrieved February 8, 2007, from Palestine Facts Web site:http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_maps.php
[4] Internet Ancient History Sourcebook: Mesopotamia, Retrieved January 29, 2011http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/asbook03.html#Babylonia
[5] Internet Ancient History Sourcebook: Israel, Retreived January 30, 2011http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/asbook06.html
[6] BBC History- Ancient History in-depth: Ancient Egypt. Retrieved January 30, 2011http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/egypt_importance_01.shtml
http://quizlet.com/4218970/map-of-historical-mediterranean-flash-cardshttp://quizlet.com/4218970/map-of-historical-mediterranean-flash-cards/
1) Locate the following historical areas on this map of the Mediterranean (answers below):a. Asia Minor
b. Greece
c. Mesopotamia
d. kingdoms of the Hittites and Ancient Israel
e. Egypt
2) Locate the following areas on this modern map:
a. Egypt
b. Greece
c. Israel
d. Jordan
e. Lebanon
f. the area governed by the Palestinian Authority
g. Syria
h. Turkey
Answers to the Map Activity
Visit here for interactive Flash Cards.
Works Cited:
[1] Bible Prophecy and History: Maps. Retrieved February 8, 2007, Web site:http://www.teachinghearts.org/dr0imap7churches.gif
[2] Turkey, Mesopotamia, and the Middle East. Retrieved February 8, 2007, Web site:http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/maps/mesopotamia_turkey.htm
[3] Maps of Historical Israel, Palestine, and the Region. Retrieved February 8, 2007, from Palestine Facts Web site:http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_maps.php
[4] Internet Ancient History Sourcebook: Mesopotamia, Retrieved January 29, 2011http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/asbook03.html#Babylonia
[5] Internet Ancient History Sourcebook: Israel, Retreived January 30, 2011http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/asbook06.html
[6] BBC History- Ancient History in-depth: Ancient Egypt. Retrieved January 30, 2011http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/egypt_importance_01.shtml
http://quizlet.com/4218970/map-of-historical-mediterranean-flash-cardshttp://quizlet.com/4218970/map-of-historical-mediterranean-flash-cards/
Identify the ancient Israelites, or Hebrews, and trace their migrations from Mesopotamia to the land called Canaan, and explain the role of Abraham and Moses in their history.
Focus Questions
Essential Understandings:Israelites were the descendants of Jacob . Abraham migrated from Mesopotamia to Canaan and became the patriarch of the Israelites; Moses later led the Hebrews, enslaved by the Pharaoh, out of Egypt and back to Israel.
Israelite or Hebrew:
a. Member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Each of the tribes occupied a separate territory which was set up to serve the Holy Temple (one of the crowning achievements of King Solomon.
b. Descended from the twelve sons of the Biblical Jacob, later known as Israel.
c. His twelve male children were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Gad, Naphtali, Asher, Joseph, and Benjamin.
AbrahamHis most important influence was his impact on all religion, began the belief in one God (Monotheism), and led the way for Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
a. His life is narrated in the book of Genesis .
b. Considered to be the founding patriarch of the Israelites.
c. According to the Bible, Genesis 12-24 God brought Abraham from Mesopotamia to the land of Canaan, the land promised to him by God.
d. God promised him that through his offspring, nations of the world would come to be blessed.
e. God called Abraham to go to “the land I will show you” and promised to bless him and make him a great nation.
f. He went to Canaan. At the great tree of Moreh at Shechem he received a promise that the land would be given unto his descendants
g. Great scrutiny has arisen over the conflict between Jews and Muslims exist because of the conflict that resulted from Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael.
MosesMoses holding up the Ten Commandments
a. Biblical Hebrew Religious leader, leader, and prophet.
b. Considered to be the transcriber of the Torah.
c. Commanded by God to deliver the Hebrews from slavery.
d. Led the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt through the Red Sea into Canaan when ten plagues were unleashed upon Egypt.
e. Moses led Hebrews to Mt. Sinai, where he made a covenant with God. Hebrews would become God's chosen people if they agreed to accept him as their one, true God.
f. The story of Moses is primarily told in the book of Exodus
g. Also had a sister, named Miriam, she is believed to have sung a victory song after Pharaohs army drowned in the Red Sea
Moses two biggest historical achievements:
1) Leading the Hebrews out of Egypt to freedom
2) Receiving the Ten Commandments after creating a covenant with God
Migration of the People of Israel
a. First settled in Canaan after being led out of Ur by Abraham.
b. Due to famine, many people moved to Egypt where they eventually become enslaved.
c. Moses led nearly 3 million Israelites out of Egypt.
d. The Pharoah was in pursuit of the Israelites with a large army.
e. God divided the water so Moses and the Israelites could pass safely through.
f. When the Egyptian army attempted to follow, God permitted the waters push back together and drown them.
g. Moses led the Hebrews to Mt. Sinai, where a covenant was made with God (Yahweh). God said the Hebrews are his chosen people and promises them the Promised Land, Canaan, that is "flowing with milk and honey."
Summary: The history of the Israelites is traced back to their migration from Mesopotamia to Canaan from the information provided via the bible. The two individuals who made the journey to the land of Israel possible and began the history of the Israelites were Abraham and Moses. Had it not been for Abraham being the founding patriarch for the Israelites and God speaking to him the land of Israel would have never been promised to the Israelites.
Works Cited:
[1] (2007). Moses. In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved 27 March 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses.
[2] (2007). Abraham. In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved 27 March 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham.
[3] (2007). History of Ancient Israel and Judah. In Wikipedia i> [Web]. Retrieved 27 March 2007, fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_ancient_Israel_and_Judah.
[4] (2007). Israelite. In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved 27 March 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israelites.
[5] (2007). Passage of Red Sea. In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved 27 March 2007, fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passage_of_Red_Sea.
[6] (2007). www.pbs.org/wnet/heritage/episode1/documents/documents_7.html
[7] (2007). www.history-world.org/Hebrews.html
[8] (2007). www.fordham.edu/Halsall/ancient/asbook06.html
[9] (2011). http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/HEBREWS/WANDER.HTM
[10] (2011). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam
- How is the history of the Israelites traced back to their migration from Mesopotamia to Canaan?
- What were the roles of Abraham and Moses?
Essential Understandings:Israelites were the descendants of Jacob . Abraham migrated from Mesopotamia to Canaan and became the patriarch of the Israelites; Moses later led the Hebrews, enslaved by the Pharaoh, out of Egypt and back to Israel.
Israelite or Hebrew:
a. Member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Each of the tribes occupied a separate territory which was set up to serve the Holy Temple (one of the crowning achievements of King Solomon.
b. Descended from the twelve sons of the Biblical Jacob, later known as Israel.
c. His twelve male children were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Gad, Naphtali, Asher, Joseph, and Benjamin.
AbrahamHis most important influence was his impact on all religion, began the belief in one God (Monotheism), and led the way for Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
a. His life is narrated in the book of Genesis .
b. Considered to be the founding patriarch of the Israelites.
c. According to the Bible, Genesis 12-24 God brought Abraham from Mesopotamia to the land of Canaan, the land promised to him by God.
d. God promised him that through his offspring, nations of the world would come to be blessed.
e. God called Abraham to go to “the land I will show you” and promised to bless him and make him a great nation.
f. He went to Canaan. At the great tree of Moreh at Shechem he received a promise that the land would be given unto his descendants
g. Great scrutiny has arisen over the conflict between Jews and Muslims exist because of the conflict that resulted from Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael.
MosesMoses holding up the Ten Commandments
a. Biblical Hebrew Religious leader, leader, and prophet.
b. Considered to be the transcriber of the Torah.
c. Commanded by God to deliver the Hebrews from slavery.
d. Led the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt through the Red Sea into Canaan when ten plagues were unleashed upon Egypt.
e. Moses led Hebrews to Mt. Sinai, where he made a covenant with God. Hebrews would become God's chosen people if they agreed to accept him as their one, true God.
f. The story of Moses is primarily told in the book of Exodus
g. Also had a sister, named Miriam, she is believed to have sung a victory song after Pharaohs army drowned in the Red Sea
Moses two biggest historical achievements:
1) Leading the Hebrews out of Egypt to freedom
2) Receiving the Ten Commandments after creating a covenant with God
Migration of the People of Israel
a. First settled in Canaan after being led out of Ur by Abraham.
b. Due to famine, many people moved to Egypt where they eventually become enslaved.
c. Moses led nearly 3 million Israelites out of Egypt.
d. The Pharoah was in pursuit of the Israelites with a large army.
e. God divided the water so Moses and the Israelites could pass safely through.
f. When the Egyptian army attempted to follow, God permitted the waters push back together and drown them.
g. Moses led the Hebrews to Mt. Sinai, where a covenant was made with God (Yahweh). God said the Hebrews are his chosen people and promises them the Promised Land, Canaan, that is "flowing with milk and honey."
Summary: The history of the Israelites is traced back to their migration from Mesopotamia to Canaan from the information provided via the bible. The two individuals who made the journey to the land of Israel possible and began the history of the Israelites were Abraham and Moses. Had it not been for Abraham being the founding patriarch for the Israelites and God speaking to him the land of Israel would have never been promised to the Israelites.
Works Cited:
[1] (2007). Moses. In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved 27 March 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses.
[2] (2007). Abraham. In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved 27 March 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham.
[3] (2007). History of Ancient Israel and Judah. In Wikipedia i> [Web]. Retrieved 27 March 2007, fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_ancient_Israel_and_Judah.
[4] (2007). Israelite. In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved 27 March 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israelites.
[5] (2007). Passage of Red Sea. In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved 27 March 2007, fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passage_of_Red_Sea.
[6] (2007). www.pbs.org/wnet/heritage/episode1/documents/documents_7.html
[7] (2007). www.history-world.org/Hebrews.html
[8] (2007). www.fordham.edu/Halsall/ancient/asbook06.html
[9] (2011). http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/HEBREWS/WANDER.HTM
[10] (2011). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam
Describe the monotheistic religion of the Israelites.
Describe the monotheistic religion of the Israelites.
A. the belief that there is one God
B. the Ten Commandments
C. the emphasis on individual worth and personal responsibility
D. the belief that all people must adhere to the same moral obligations, whether ruler or ruled
E. the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) as part of the history of early Israel.
Focus Question: What was the monotheistic religion of the Israelites?
Basic Beliefs of Judaism from e-Museum at Minnesota State University Mankato.
a. The belief that there is one GodAbraham Sends Hagar and Ishmael Away
The Israelites based their faith upon the belief that there is only one God, a belief commonly refered to as "monotheism." Monotheism was first uncovered and taught by Abraham.
Rit Nosotro's essay examines the evolution of monotheism from polytheism across cultures.
Internet Jewish History Sourcebook contains a wealth of primary source material on the Israelites.
b. The Ten Commandments
Moses Mosaic
The Ten Commandments were produced as the basic Jewish law and were later incorporated as an integral force in the Christian faith as well.
c. The emphasis on individual worth and personal responsibility
Ancient Israel in Context provides information on labor, social structure, and women's work in Ancient Israel.
d. The belief that all people must adhere to the same moral obligations, whether ruler or ruled.
Ancient Israel is a site where students and teachers can explore the cultural and societal history of Ancient Israel including daily life, food, maps, & family roles. THe site also provides links to additional resources.
e. The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) as part of the history of early Israel.
2nd Century Hebrew Decalogue
The Hebrew Bible remains a crucial window into the past for historians.
Very little other written information about historical events survives to this day from this early time period, therefore the Old Testament is critical to understanding the culture and beliefs of this time period.
The Bible's Buried Secrets is an archaeological detective story the traces the origins of the Bible. The site contains essays, timelines, interactive resources, and videos.
Walking the Bible Timeline gives an excellent chronology of events in the Bible.
Click here for a brief history of Judaism
Click here for a link to Codex Sinaiticus , a 1600 year--old manuscript that contains the Christian Bible in Greek, including the oldest complete copy of the New Testament.
Works Cited:
Basic Beliefs of Judaism. http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/judaism/beliefs.html
The History of Monotheism. Retrieved April 5, 2007, from Chabad.org Web site: http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article.asp?AID=2612
The Ten Commandments. Retrieved April 5, 2007, from Topmarks Web site:http://www.topmarks.co.uk/judaism/commandments/tencomms.htm
The History of the World From a Biblical Perspective. Retrieved April 5, 2007, from Bible World History Web site:http://www.bibleworldhistory.com/
New Sources:
Monotheism and Polytheism. Retrieved 31 July 2011 from Hyper History's site:http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/cot/t0w03monopolytheism.htm.
The Israelites. Retrieved 31 July 2011: http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view_print.php?book=22791.
Internet Jewish History Sourcebook (2007). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from Fordham University's site:http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/jewish/jewishsbook.asp.
Walking the Bible Timeline (2005). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from PBS's site: http://www.pbs.org/walkingthebible/timeline.html.
The Bible's Buried Secrets (2008). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from WGBH Educational Foundation's site:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bible/.
The Bible's Buried Secrets Video (2008). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from WGBH Educational Foundation's site:http://video.pbs.org/video/1051895565.
Ancient Israel in Context. Retrieved 31 July 2011:http://www.stolaf.edu/courses/ws399/ws399_04/Projects/Naylor_Research/israel.html.
Ancient Israel. Retrieved 31 July 2011: http://www.opschools.org/middleschool.cfm?subpage=700.
A. the belief that there is one God
B. the Ten Commandments
C. the emphasis on individual worth and personal responsibility
D. the belief that all people must adhere to the same moral obligations, whether ruler or ruled
E. the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) as part of the history of early Israel.
Focus Question: What was the monotheistic religion of the Israelites?
Basic Beliefs of Judaism from e-Museum at Minnesota State University Mankato.
a. The belief that there is one GodAbraham Sends Hagar and Ishmael Away
The Israelites based their faith upon the belief that there is only one God, a belief commonly refered to as "monotheism." Monotheism was first uncovered and taught by Abraham.
Rit Nosotro's essay examines the evolution of monotheism from polytheism across cultures.
Internet Jewish History Sourcebook contains a wealth of primary source material on the Israelites.
b. The Ten Commandments
Moses Mosaic
The Ten Commandments were produced as the basic Jewish law and were later incorporated as an integral force in the Christian faith as well.
c. The emphasis on individual worth and personal responsibility
- This idea is closely tied with the teachings of the Ten Commandments.
- Each person is responsible for understanding the importance of others and what they can offer to the community.
- Along with this, people must understand the worth that they bring as individuals.
- Full understanding of these two ideas brings people together since respect is gained both for oneself and for one's community.
Ancient Israel in Context provides information on labor, social structure, and women's work in Ancient Israel.
d. The belief that all people must adhere to the same moral obligations, whether ruler or ruled.
- The Jewish faith held that since a large majority of its followers were peasants, rulers must not withold certain rights from their less fortunate counterparts.
- Elites and rulers were not morally allowed to withold property from the poor.
- Unlike the future Catholic Church, the Israelites did not sanctify practices such as selling indulgences, which would suggest that the rich had a higher moral and spiritual status than the poor.
Ancient Israel is a site where students and teachers can explore the cultural and societal history of Ancient Israel including daily life, food, maps, & family roles. THe site also provides links to additional resources.
e. The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) as part of the history of early Israel.
2nd Century Hebrew Decalogue
The Hebrew Bible remains a crucial window into the past for historians.
Very little other written information about historical events survives to this day from this early time period, therefore the Old Testament is critical to understanding the culture and beliefs of this time period.
The Bible's Buried Secrets is an archaeological detective story the traces the origins of the Bible. The site contains essays, timelines, interactive resources, and videos.
Walking the Bible Timeline gives an excellent chronology of events in the Bible.
Click here for a brief history of Judaism
Click here for a link to Codex Sinaiticus , a 1600 year--old manuscript that contains the Christian Bible in Greek, including the oldest complete copy of the New Testament.
Works Cited:
Basic Beliefs of Judaism. http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/judaism/beliefs.html
The History of Monotheism. Retrieved April 5, 2007, from Chabad.org Web site: http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article.asp?AID=2612
The Ten Commandments. Retrieved April 5, 2007, from Topmarks Web site:http://www.topmarks.co.uk/judaism/commandments/tencomms.htm
The History of the World From a Biblical Perspective. Retrieved April 5, 2007, from Bible World History Web site:http://www.bibleworldhistory.com/
New Sources:
Monotheism and Polytheism. Retrieved 31 July 2011 from Hyper History's site:http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/cot/t0w03monopolytheism.htm.
The Israelites. Retrieved 31 July 2011: http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view_print.php?book=22791.
Internet Jewish History Sourcebook (2007). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from Fordham University's site:http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/jewish/jewishsbook.asp.
Walking the Bible Timeline (2005). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from PBS's site: http://www.pbs.org/walkingthebible/timeline.html.
The Bible's Buried Secrets (2008). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from WGBH Educational Foundation's site:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bible/.
The Bible's Buried Secrets Video (2008). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from WGBH Educational Foundation's site:http://video.pbs.org/video/1051895565.
Ancient Israel in Context. Retrieved 31 July 2011:http://www.stolaf.edu/courses/ws399/ws399_04/Projects/Naylor_Research/israel.html.
Ancient Israel. Retrieved 31 July 2011: http://www.opschools.org/middleschool.cfm?subpage=700.
Describe the unification of the tribes of Israel under Kings Saul, David, and Solomon, including David’s founding of Jerusalem as his capital city in 1000 BCE and the building of the first temple by Solomon.
Focus Question: How did the tribes of Israel unite under Kings Saul, David and Solomon?
Jerusalem: The Old Cityprovides an interactive overview of the old city from the Jewish Virtual Library. The Old City is divided into four neighborhoods, which are named according to the ethnic affiliation of most of the people who live in them. These quarters form a rectangular grid, but they are not equal in size.
Enduring Understandings:1) King Saul
2) King David
After David captured Jerusalem by launching a surprise attack on the Caananites, he deemed that the city would be Israel's capital. It was centrally located and had previously been a neutral site. The city became Israel's religious, cultural, and artistic center.
Temple of Solomon, Engraving from Jacob Judah Leon , 1665
3) King SolomonKing Solomon
(approximations)
1010- 970 BCE King David of Israel's reign
967-927 BCE King Solomon of Israel's reign
-This Reign of Saul, David and Solomon was the only time that all of the tribes of Israel were united under one king-
Jerusalem: The Old Cityprovides an interactive overview of the old city from the Jewish Virtual Library. The Old City is divided into four neighborhoods, which are named according to the ethnic affiliation of most of the people who live in them. These quarters form a rectangular grid, but they are not equal in size.
Enduring Understandings:1) King Saul
- Israel's first king
- Strong leader who brought Israel to their first military victory
2) King David
- Became king directly after King Saul
- Known for his diverse skills as a warrior and a writer of psalms
- Ruled Israel during the nation's "Golden Age"
- Captured Jerusalem:
After David captured Jerusalem by launching a surprise attack on the Caananites, he deemed that the city would be Israel's capital. It was centrally located and had previously been a neutral site. The city became Israel's religious, cultural, and artistic center.
Temple of Solomon, Engraving from Jacob Judah Leon , 1665
3) King SolomonKing Solomon
- Became king after his father, David
- Constructed alliances with other nations
- Enslaved non-Israelites
- Built Jerusalem's Temple
- Accumulated enormous wealth, controlled entire region west of the Euphrates
- Known for his wisdom, wrote the "Song of Songs ," the Book of Proverbs andEcclesiastes
(approximations)
1010- 970 BCE King David of Israel's reign
967-927 BCE King Solomon of Israel's reign
-This Reign of Saul, David and Solomon was the only time that all of the tribes of Israel were united under one king-
Explain the expulsion/dispersion of the Jews to other lands (referred to as the Diaspora) after the destruction of the second temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD/CE, and the renaming of the country by the Romans.
Focus Question: What was the expulsion of the Jewish people after the destruction of the second temple?
Essential Understandings
Rome ruled until a revolt in 66-70 resulting in:
Destruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.
a. City of Jerusalem was captured
b. Destruction of the second temple, the center of religion for Jews
c. Settlement of Grecian and Roman colonies in Judea
A small diorama/model of what the temple in Jerusalem may have looked like with the surrounding city during the time of Christ
For an excellent lesson plan, see Exploring History Using Google Earth. This lesson plan brings history to life and illustrates how devasting is to be uprooted from ones home and forced to move to foreign lands.
For more information on the Disapora, see the following pages The Jewish Diaspora, The Jewish Diaspora: Rome, and The Jewish Diaspora in the Hellenistic Period.
The Roman government wanted to prevent the political regeneration of the Jewish nation because of the results listed above:
The Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans Under the Command of Titus, A.D. 70, Oil on canvas, 1850
a. 40 years later the Jews tried to establish in Cyprus, Egypt, and Mesopotamia
b. Their efforts were suppressed by Trajan, resulting in:
The Jewish Diaspora, A.D. 70-500 is an helpful interactive map.
What happened to the Jews?a. Jews were sold as slaves or transported as captives
b. Others joined the existing Diaspora (Jews in the Diaspora were generally accepted in the Roman Empire, but with the rise of Christianity restrictions grew)
c. Forced expulsions and persecution
d. Jewish communities were expelled from Judea and sent to various Roman provinces in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.
e. During the Middle Ages, Jews divided into distinct regional groups
f. Many Jews fled north and west into Europe
g. While many Jewish people remained in the Middle East after the destruction of the Second Temple, many more migrated to whatever European territories would have them. Historically, there are two main groups: the "Ashkenazi" Jews, who settled in northern and eastern Europe, and the "Sephardic" Jews, who settled in Spain and the Mediterranean coast.
The destruction of the temples (both first and second) is still mourned annually as the Jewish fast Tisha B'Av.
h. After the destruction of the Second Temple, the center of Jewish life shifted from Jerusalem to Yavneh, where Yochanan ben Zakkai established an academy to train scholars. Meanwhile, the influence of Christianity began to grow in the region, culminating in 330 C.E. with Emperor Constantine's decision to move the capital of the empire from Rome to the city of Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople (now Istanbul).
Sources:
New Sources:
Exploring History Using Google Earth (2010). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from Hyperhomeschool's site:
http://www.hyperhomeschool.com/hyperhomeschool_blog/2009/9/25/exploring-history-using-google-earth.html.
The Jewish Diaspora (2011). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from PBS's site:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/portrait/diaspora.html.
The Jewish Diaspora: Rome. Retrieved 31 July 2011 from Jona Lendering's site: http://www.livius.org/di-dn/diaspora/rome.html.
The Jewish Diaspora om the Hellenistic Period. Retrieved 31 July 2011: http://classes.maxwell.syr.edu/his301-001/jeishh_diaspora_in_greece.htm.
The Destruction of the Second Temple. Retrieved 31 July 2011 from Lambert Dolphin's site:http://www.templemount.org/destruct2.html.
THe Jewish Diaspora, A.D. 70-500. Retrieved 31 July 2011 from:http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/imaps/AC_10_345_diaspora/AC_10_345_diaspora.html.
Essential Understandings
Rome ruled until a revolt in 66-70 resulting in:
Destruction of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.
a. City of Jerusalem was captured
b. Destruction of the second temple, the center of religion for Jews
c. Settlement of Grecian and Roman colonies in Judea
A small diorama/model of what the temple in Jerusalem may have looked like with the surrounding city during the time of Christ
For an excellent lesson plan, see Exploring History Using Google Earth. This lesson plan brings history to life and illustrates how devasting is to be uprooted from ones home and forced to move to foreign lands.
For more information on the Disapora, see the following pages The Jewish Diaspora, The Jewish Diaspora: Rome, and The Jewish Diaspora in the Hellenistic Period.
The Roman government wanted to prevent the political regeneration of the Jewish nation because of the results listed above:
The Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans Under the Command of Titus, A.D. 70, Oil on canvas, 1850
a. 40 years later the Jews tried to establish in Cyprus, Egypt, and Mesopotamia
b. Their efforts were suppressed by Trajan, resulting in:
- reduction of number of Jews in Palestine
- Jerusalem became a Roman colony and Jews were forbidden to enter
- 43 Jewish communities in Palestine remained in the sixth century
The Jewish Diaspora, A.D. 70-500 is an helpful interactive map.
What happened to the Jews?a. Jews were sold as slaves or transported as captives
b. Others joined the existing Diaspora (Jews in the Diaspora were generally accepted in the Roman Empire, but with the rise of Christianity restrictions grew)
c. Forced expulsions and persecution
d. Jewish communities were expelled from Judea and sent to various Roman provinces in the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.
e. During the Middle Ages, Jews divided into distinct regional groups
f. Many Jews fled north and west into Europe
g. While many Jewish people remained in the Middle East after the destruction of the Second Temple, many more migrated to whatever European territories would have them. Historically, there are two main groups: the "Ashkenazi" Jews, who settled in northern and eastern Europe, and the "Sephardic" Jews, who settled in Spain and the Mediterranean coast.
The destruction of the temples (both first and second) is still mourned annually as the Jewish fast Tisha B'Av.
h. After the destruction of the Second Temple, the center of Jewish life shifted from Jerusalem to Yavneh, where Yochanan ben Zakkai established an academy to train scholars. Meanwhile, the influence of Christianity began to grow in the region, culminating in 330 C.E. with Emperor Constantine's decision to move the capital of the empire from Rome to the city of Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople (now Istanbul).
Sources:
- Hooker, R. (1996). The Diaspora. Retrieved March 22, 2007, from Hebrew History Web site:http://www.wsu.edu:8080/%7Edee/HEBREWS/DIASPORA.HTM
- Washington State University
- (2007). The Diaspora. Retrieved March 22, 2007, from Jewish Virtual Libray Web site:http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Diaspora.html
- International Christian Zionist Center (2001). Diaspora II- The Scattering. Retrieved March 22, 2007, from Israel My Beloved Web site: http://www.israelmybeloved.com/channel/history_prophecy/section/diaspora_ii
- http://www.ehow.com/how_2029227_jewish-diaspora.html: How to Understand the Jewish Diaspora | eHow.comhttp://www.ehow.com/how_2029227_jewish-diaspora.html#ixzz1Bzt8q3dt
- http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Siege_of_Jerusalem_(70)
- http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem1
New Sources:
Exploring History Using Google Earth (2010). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from Hyperhomeschool's site:
http://www.hyperhomeschool.com/hyperhomeschool_blog/2009/9/25/exploring-history-using-google-earth.html.
The Jewish Diaspora (2011). Retrieved 31 July 2011 from PBS's site:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/portrait/diaspora.html.
The Jewish Diaspora: Rome. Retrieved 31 July 2011 from Jona Lendering's site: http://www.livius.org/di-dn/diaspora/rome.html.
The Jewish Diaspora om the Hellenistic Period. Retrieved 31 July 2011: http://classes.maxwell.syr.edu/his301-001/jeishh_diaspora_in_greece.htm.
The Destruction of the Second Temple. Retrieved 31 July 2011 from Lambert Dolphin's site:http://www.templemount.org/destruct2.html.
THe Jewish Diaspora, A.D. 70-500. Retrieved 31 July 2011 from:http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/imaps/AC_10_345_diaspora/AC_10_345_diaspora.html.
https://resourcesforhistoryteachers.wikispaces.com/AncientCivilizations