The Importance of Being Hebrew

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Liz Heidmann

Western Civilizations

May 30, 2013

The Importance of Being Hebrew

Around 1200 BC, the Ancient World collapsed. A catastrophic decline of civilization occurred which resulted in a lengthy Dark Ages period. During this time, there was political upheaval, dramatic economic downturn, religious and social strife, and the loss of learning and culture. Overall, the established civilizations of the Ancient Near East declined and many disappeared all together. Most historians who study ancient civilizations attribute this collapse to a mysterious group called the Sea People. Regardless of cause, the impact is unmistakable. Most importantly, the long term results include development of new and diverse civilizations. These flourished in the political vacuum created by the loss of dominant powers in the region and include the Hebrews (ancestors of modern Jews), Assyrians, and Persians. Of these developing civilizations, the Hebrews are most influential on our world today.
In a comparison of the civilizations of the Ancient World, the Hebrews made the greatest impact on Western Civilization. Religion is the key. First, Hebrews were monotheistic, an anomaly in the ancient world. They believed their ancestors made a covenant with Yahweh and were his chosen people. This impacts today because not only do millions of Jews around the world still follow this faith in one god, but also Christianity developed directly from it and it could be argued that Islam borrowed heavily from it. In fact, the idea of monotheism developed by the Hebrews is the dominant faith form today and makes Hebrews most influential. Second, in order to properly worship Yahweh, the Hebrews eventually built the Temple in Jerusalem. While having a temple is not unique, this one still influences millions today as a site of pilgrimage. Not only did Jesus astonish Mary and Joseph when he was “lost” at the temple, Crusaders fought for centuries for the right to control it (leading to the discoveries of the Renaissance), millions visit the Wailing Wall today to pray, and Israelis and Palestinians still fight over ownership of Jerusalem. Therefore, Hebrews are most influential for having built the Temple in the first place. Third, the Temple in Jerusalem was built to house the Arc of the Covenant, which contained the Ten Commandments. This was the law code written by God and given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. This law code, followed strictly by Hebrews, was adopted and amended by the Beatitudes of Jesus, and was passed down by centuries of Jews and Christians. As the moral center of our laws today, this, too, makes Hebrews most influential on Western Civilization. Lastly, the Torah is the collection of religious writings of the Hebrews. This religious document was begun during a difficult time for the Hebrews. During the Babylonian Exile, Hebrew leaders believed it was important to document their oral traditions so that they would not be lost or otherwise influenced by outside cultures. The books include a scientific world-view (Genesis and the Creation Story), the covenants made with Noah and Abraham, and moral, ethical, and social rules collectively known as Mosaic Law. The ideas, beliefs, and rules of the Torah still govern Jewish life today. In addition, Christianity grew directly from the Hebrew culture and spread its ideas to a greater audience, the books of the Torah are also included as the first five books of the Christian Bible. Also, the “science” of the Torah/ Bible dominated scientific understanding for 2000 years and was only systematically challenged by the ideas of the Enlightenment and recently by modern technology. Again, by impacting the lifestyles and beliefs of millions, the Hebrews have the greatest impact on our world today. For their impact on religion, law codes, literature, and centuries of world history, Hebrews are the most influential.
Though the Persians also had a great influence on the Ancient World, the Hebrews had a greater impact on our world today. Government was the strength of Persia. Beginning with Cyrus the Great in 536 BC, the Persia was governed by a monarchy. Under Darius the Great and later Xerxes, it grew into the greatest empire of the Middle East. Within the empire, Persians controlled what had been Hebrew territory. However, it was not the Persians who conquered the Hebrews in the first place. Instead, Persians gained it by defeating other conquerors. Nevertheless, because neither monarchies nor empires were unique in the ancient world, this does not make Persia most influential on Western Civilization. Because Persia was governed similarly to the Hebrews, they are not more important today. Second, centered in modern-day Iran, Persia also boasted of several great cities, including Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis. While the Hebrews only had one great city, Persian capital cities are rubble today rather than attractions for pilgrims, tourists, and diplomatic intrigue. This makes the Persians less influential on the world today than the Hebrews. Third, in order to better control the expansive territory, the Persian rulers divided it into 20 provinces or satrapies with their own local governors. Then, to help keep peace, they allowed conquered peoples to retain their own religions and languages. Most importantly, Persians also allowed religious exiles to return to their homelands. This most directly impacted the Hebrews who were in exile. However, the books of the Torah had already been written directly as a result of that exile and the Persians did nothing to change that. Therefore, the Hebrews had a greater impact on the modern world. Fourth, the Persians developed two economically influential novelties. The first is a standardization of weights and measures. Most notably, this lead to standardized money used for trade within the empire. If Jesus told listeners to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s,” this would have been impossible for both the Hebrews and the Romans if not for the Persians. Common money systems, including the (Greenback) Dollar of the United States, the Euro of the European Union, and even British Sterling, unite their users and their territories by easing trade in their respective economies just as it did for the Persians. In this instance, the Persians had a greater influence on the modern world than the Hebrews who eventually borrowed the idea from then. Another development that also impacted the economy was the establishment of the Royal Road. This level, maintained, and guarded highway connected distant parts of the empire to the capital cities. Not only an aid to merchants and traders, this allowed for communication, the cultural diffusion of ideas, and troops could be moved easier if problems arose. Fifth, the Persians were polytheistic. Their main beliefs were in the god Zoroaster and the judgment of souls after death. Lastly, Persian art is distinctive for its bas- relief style of sculpture. Many examples of this can be found throughout the empire.

Assyria began to dominate the Middle East around 900 BC and their political center was in modern-day Iraq. The empire was governed by monarchs, the most famous of whom was Tiglathpillaser II. The Assyrian capital city was Nineveh. With the largest army ever before, they conquered most of the Middle East in about 100 years. This is partly due to their technological superiority. New technological innovations of the Assyrians included war- chariots, iron weapons, and siege weapons. To maintain control of their territory, they effectively utilized terror tactics and the deportation of the upper classes. This would separate the educated elite from the masses and drastically reduce the possibility of rebellion. This directly impacted the Hebrew people when Jerusalem fell and the Babylonian Captivity began. Here, the Hebrew Prophets became influential and the Torah was written for posterity. In the long run, though, the Assyrian terror tactics back fired when the conquered peoples the Medes and the Chaldeans (under the Biblical Nebuchadnezzar II who also conquered the Hebrews) united to overthrow the Assyrian rule in 612 BC. Religiously, Assyrians were also polythieistic and worshipped the god Ashur. Like the Persians after them, Assyrians made bas-relief sculptures. Most importantly, though, in Nineveh was the world’s first library. It housed documents, texts, letters and a dictionary, which was most influential in helping scholars utilize ancient cuneiform texts. Although the Assyrians were cool, they weren’t as cool as the Hebrews.

Of the Hebrews, Persians, and Assyrians, the Hebrews were most influential on Western civilization and our world today. Hebrew monotheism, the Ten Commandments and the Torah influence the daily lives of modern peoples. Even their capital city is still a place of contention and desired by many for its historical and religious significance. Persians had political power, economic strength, and artistic influence, but cannot compare with that of the Hebrews. The Assyrians also had military strength and literary influence, but not as much as the Hebrews. Therefore, of the earliest ancient civilization the Hebrews are most influential on modern life.