(OMME) Origins of the Modern Middle East Culture Lesson

Origins of the Modern Middle East Culture

The Middle East is known as the “cradle of civilizations” due to the fertile soil that provided the region with a nurturing area in which an agricultural society could flourish. As the community grew in population, it became one of the world’s first civilizations. Living the urban life (one in close proximity to others) allowed and caused the people of this first civilization to work together to create strong central governments and to spread their faith and religious practice. As civilization spread throughout the region over an area where three continents meet, distinct cultures (Arab, Turk, Iranian, and Israeli) and world religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) developed - each considering the Middle East their home. Understanding the ties that these groups have to the region is important. In fact, it is crucial to our understanding of why each of these groups today is willing to enter conflicts to maintain power and control of the area.

Ancient Mesopotamia

The people of ancient Mesopotamia practiced polytheism, as did most people of that time around the world. However, there was a group of people living in the Middle East, known as the Israelites, who worshipped only one god. Theirs is the story of the birth of monotheism.

The story of how the Hebrews became the Israelites and started practicing monotheism is written in the Torah and in the Old Testament of the Bible. The point is that they lived in the Middle East in the Levant from the time of Hammurabi on, and at some point created their own city-state with their own king, the temple of worship, and, as history is filled with, their own enemies. The same Nebuchadnezzar, who ejected the Israelites from Judah, conquered the Israelite city-state of Judah. Some Israelites chose to live in Babylon as a community within the city, but others moved to Judaea and Egypt. Their scattering throughout the Middle East and North Africa is known as the diaspora. When the Persians took over Babylon, they allowed the captive Israelites to return home where they rebuilt their Temple in Jerusalem. Israelite descendants became Jews and their religion became known as Judaism. But the days of independent city-states were over. The Jews living in the Levant were under the jurisdiction of first the Persians, then the Greeks, and finally the Romans until a Jewish uprising led to the Roman destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD leading to another diaspora.

Historical Sites

Access the activity below to learn about the historical sites located in the Middle East that are sacred to Jews. Also, refer to the map above to see where these sites are located.

During the time the Romans ruled the Middle East, a Jewish baby was born in Bethlehem. His name was Jesus (although that is the English version of his name) and he grew up in Nazareth. When he was older, he traveled around the region teaching about God with the help of his twelve disciples. Viewed as a troublemaker by the local government, he was tried, convicted, and crucified (that was the type of execution commonly used in those days). His followers believed him to be the long-anticipated Messiah taught about in Judaism. The people who viewed Jesus as the Son of God or the Messiah became known later as Christians and his teachings led to the creation of Christianity. The lessons taught by Jesus and his disciples can be found in the New Testament of the Bible.

Flip through the activity below to learn about the historical sites located in the Middle East that are held in high regard by Christians.

 

Judaism

Judaism was the first monotheistic religion to emerge out of the Middle East (or for that matter, the world). Christianity grew out of Judaism as the second monotheistic religion. The third was Islam. Islam is based on the teachings and revelations received from God by Muhammad which can be found in the Qur'an. Part of the Islamic faith is to fulfill the Five Pillars of Islam, which are considered the most important teachings of Muhammad. Those who practice the Islamic religion are called Muslims and the population of Muslims in the world continuously grows.

In 570 AD, Muhammad was born in the bustling city of Mecca in Arabia. When he was around 40 years old, according to Islamic tradition, he received his first revelation from God and began sharing these teachings with the people in Mecca. Within 12 years, the leaders of Mecca chased Muhammad and his followers out of town. They settled in Medina where they continued their teachings on God, behavior, and government. Muhammad died when he was sixty-two and by that time the peninsula of Arabia had adopted Islam as its major religion.

Access the activity below to learn about the historical sites located in the Middle East that are valued by the Islamic faith. Also, refer to the map above to see where the sites are located.

Challenge

 

Take Away

While studying the Middle East, it is vital to understand that the three main religions of the world originated from the region. Judaism is considered the first monotheistic religion. Christianity then formed as the second monotheistic religion with the teaching of Jesus. Islam then developed as the third monotheistic religion with the teachings of Mohammad. Islam and Christianity have ties to Judaism, as they are both religions of Abraham. They claim ties to the ancient Israelites and the worship of the God of Abraham, a major figure in The Old Testament. These religions are monotheistic and only worship one God.

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