5. In what way do the oral traditions of a people throw light on the
ideals and relationships they most valued?

6. Compare the dietary available to Americans with that of the ancient
Hebrews.




CHAPTER III

DESERT PILGRIMS


According to one of the Hebrew traditions recorded in the book of
Genesis, the earliest home of their ancestors was Ur of the Chaldees.
This was one of the leading cities of ancient Babylonia. It was
situated southwest of the Euphrates River, near the plains which were
the nation's chief grazing grounds. And it is possible that of the
shepherds who brought their sheep to market in Ur some were, indeed,
among the ancestors of the Hebrews.


BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION

Babylonia is one of the two lands (Egypt being the other) where human
civilization began. This rich alluvial plain, lying between the lower
Tigris and the lower Euphrates Rivers, became the home of a gifted
race which at least in its later history through intermarriage was in