Empires and civilizations were definitely the order of the day in the period discussed in this book. Most certainly the most interesting civilizations came from the Middle east during this period, particularly the empire in Babylon led by Nebuchadnezzar. He was one of those larger than life emperors who demanded and commanded attention and with his considerable exploits created an empire which was hugely powerful.
The Egyptian empire which was however shrinking during this period also provided substantial cultural influences especially in Africa. However the decadence of the Pharoahs who were still regarded as demi Gods at this stage resulted in a considerable reduction of their sphere of influence at this stage. One could say that their culture was a changing one which developed through time but by this era they were practically in the doldrums as Coffin states.
The Grecian Empire was also influential in the Middle east up to Turkey in this period but the Jewish civilization which reached a peak under David and Solomon was probably the most important civilization in those times. By conquering the Assyrians, Midianites and other tribes, Solomon forged a huge kingdom which was seen to be as extremely powerful in that day and age. Certainly the Jewish culture was the most dynamic and provided for considerable influence which however finally culminated in its enslavement by the Romans and their own empire which was still long far off in the year 500 BC.
Probably, Babylon and Greece were the empires which endured the most and which influenced others considerably especially the Roman empire over the years. In Western Civilisations, the authors are admirably succinct and direct in their descriptions which truly paint a clear picture of proceedings in those days.
References:
Coffin, Cole, Stacy, Symes; Western Civilisations; Longman
Dietz Otto Edzard: Geschichte Mesopotamiens. Von den Sumerern bis zu Alexander dem Großen, Beck, München 2004, p. 121.
Liane Jakob-Rost, Joachim Marzahn: Babylon, ed. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Vorderasiatisches Museum, (Kleine Schriften 4), 2. Auflage, Putbus 1990, p. 2
Stephanie Dalley, Babylon as a Name for other Cities Including Nineveh, in Uchicago.edu, Proceedings of the 51st Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale, Oriental Institute SAOC 62, pp. 25–33, 2005
