Geography of the Ancient Near East

After completion of this WebRunner you will be able to:
1.  locate where the Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian and Egyptian civilizations were on a map of the current world
2.  locate the capitals of each of these civilizations
3.  find places where land changed ownership between kingdoms and empires
 
 

This information is important to know to be able to finish the rest of the lessons in this unit.  Also, it will give you a sense of where the beginnings of the civilized world came from and how it expanded and changed.

Well, here's what to do.

1.  Read the questions I have given you below.
2.  Click on the link to the web page I have provided.
3.  Look through the information on the web page and find the answers to the questions.
4.  Write down the answers to the questions on a sheet of paper and keep it to hand in later.

Here are the all important questions!!

1.  Which present day countries did the Fertile Crescent encompass?
2.  Explain why you think the rivers in the Fertile Crescent were so important?

Now, go to this website and find the answers to the questions.  While you are there, create and keep a visual picture in your head of where these places are.
 

 The Fertile Crescent

3.  Click this link at look at the map of Ancient Egypt.  Notice how the empire expands during each kingdom and note important geographical features.  There is no question to answer for this link.

 Ancient Egypt

4.  Look at this map and formulate an opinion as to why the Persian Empire never expanded in Egypt.
 

The Persian Empire

5.  Check out this link and answer the following questions having to do with the map on this website.
 

 Babylon and Assyria

• Babylon was always an important center for trade.  Analyze why it was able to keep its importance and power.  Note location and geographical features.
• Recalling from previous lessons, assess why was Assyria able to conquer Egyptian land, but the Persians never had such luck.
• Notice on the map how the Assyrian Empire and the Neo-Babylonian Empire had the same southern boundary.  Try to explain what could have caused this.

So, what have we learned you ask?  Well, we learned where the Fertile Crescent is located on present-day maps and why its rivers are so important.  We learned that Egypt was somewhat isolated from the rest of the ancient civilizations and why Persia and most other major civilizations were never able to conquer it. Finally, we learned about Assyria and Babylon, especially the importance of Babylon as a major trade center.

This information is important to keep in your mind as we progress because these are the building blocks of the world as we know it today.  The rise and fall of different empires and kingdoms all began here.

Hey!!  We're all done here.  Great job!  You were successful in your search for new knowledge and information.  You have learned about the geography of the Ancient Near East.  You're ready to move on to the Battles of the World station!