Chapter II: Oppressions and Judges (3)

This empire was the most thoroughly organized and the longest in duration of any in ancient history. It lasted until Rome fell under the attacks of barbarians from the North, A.D. 476. Even after this, the eastern division of the empire remained with almost unbroken power for centuries, and was not finally extinguished until 1453, the close of the Middle Ages.

OUTLINE FOR TEACHING AND REVIEW.

THE ANCIENT EMPIRES.

It is desirable to let the class see the comparative area and location of the Four Oriental Empires; hence they should be presented upon the same map. Each of these may form a separate lesson.

I. _The Early Chaldean Empire._ 1. Draw in the centre of the blackboard the outlines of the map of Chedorlaomer's Empire, on page 34, reserving space enough around it to embrace all the lands of the maps on page 92. 2. Draw the four important rivers: the _Tigris_, _Euphrates_, _Jordan_ and _Nile_. 3. Show the _boundaries_ of Chedorlaomer's empire, and its principal places: _Babylon_, _Ur_, _Nineveh_, _Haran_, _Damascus_, _Hebron_. 4. State briefly the _history_ of the empire. 5. Review the lesson, and let the class state all the information given.

N. B. The outlines may be drawn in advance with slate pencil or soapstone, and then traced with chalk in the presence of the class. Also, the initial letters only of places or rivers should be written, as a hint to the memory; afterward the initial letters should be erased, and the class be called upon to name the places as located by the pointer.

II. _The Assyrian Empire._ 1. After erasing the boundaries of the first empire, leaving the general outline of sea-coast and lands the same, show the location of the conquering province, _Assyria_, and its capital, Nineveh. 2. Draw the _boundaries_ of the Assyrian empire, explain them to the class, and have them repeated in concert. 3. Locate and name the subject provinces: _Armenia_, _Media_, _Mesopotamia_, _Susiana_, _Babylonia_, _Syria_, _Palestine_. 4. Name its most important kings: _Tiglath-adar_, _Shalmaneser_, _Sargon_, _Sennacherib_, _Esar-haddon_, _Asshur-bani-pal_. With each king should be named the events associated with his reign. 5. Review the outline as before.

III. _The Babylonian Empire._ This may be given upon the same map as the two preceding. 1. Show the location and relations of the four kingdoms: _Babylonia_, _Media_, _Lydia_, _Cilicia_. 2. Give an account of Babylon, and its fall.

IV. _The Persian Empire._ Leaving the coast-line of the former maps on the board, add to it the lines in all points of the compass requisite to show the boundaries of Persia. The provinces, or satrapies, need not be specified (unless detailed knowledge is desired), for they do not relate to Bible history. Name the leading monarchs, Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes, Artaxerxes Longimanus, and give an account of the fall of the empire.

V. _The Empire of Alexander._ 1. This may be shown in outline; and its history be given. 2. The division of the empire and its leading kingdoms should be mentioned.

VI. _The Roman Empire._ This will require a new map. Draw in outline the lands around the Mediterranean Sea, and enumerate the provinces: European, Asiatic, African.

NEW TESTAMENT PALESTINE.

THE political geography of Palestine, during the seventy years of New Testament history, is somewhat complicated, from the two facts, that new provinces are named in the annals, and also that the government was changed from regal to provincial, and from provincial to regal, oftener than once in a generation.