Lecture 3: Early Mesopotamian Civilizations (Sumer to Neo-Babylonians)

A set of QUESTION_AND_ANSWER style flashcards covering key topics from lecture 3: Sumerian origins, Akkadian conquest, Amorite/Babylonian rise, Hammurabi's Code and social structure, Hittite innovations, Assyrian brutality and empire, Neo-Babylonian resurgence, Ishtar Gate, Hanging Gardens, and the eventual Persian conquest.

Who united Mesopotamia under one rule and is considered one of history's first Empire builders?

Sargon of Akkad.

What happened to the Akkadian Empire after Sargon's death?

It collapsed, and control briefly returned to local Sumerian rulers.

Which group from Arabia conquered Sumer around 2350–2300 BCE and ruled Mesopotamia for about four centuries?

The Amorites (often called the Babylonians after establishing Babylon as their capital).

What is Hammurabi best known for achieving in Babylon?

Hammurabi's Code, one of the first written legal codes.

How did Hammurabi's Code reflect social hierarchy in Babylonian society?

It codified three social groups—nobility, freemen, and slaves—and punishments varied by social status.

Which areas of life did Hammurabi's Code regulate?

Commerce, agriculture, religion, and gender roles, including temple protections.

What are the three main social strata described in Hammurabi's Code?

Nobility, freemen, and slaves (servants).

What military innovations gave the Hittites an edge in warfare?

Domestication of the horse with horse-drawn chariots and early use of iron.

Who was the chief god of the Hittites?

Teshub, the storm god.

What cultural elements did the Hittites borrow from Mesopotamian civilization?

Cuneiform adapted to fit their language and some Mesopotamian gods in their pantheon.

Which empire is renowned for its brutal reputation and ruling through fear?

The Assyrian Empire.

What was the Assyrian capital city?

Nineveh.

Give an example of Assyrian brutality used to intimidate enemies.

Defeated soldiers decapitated and their heads displayed in a pyramid; prisoners roasted in iron bowls.

What architectural feature in Nineveh reflected its brutal reputation?

The royal palace murals and sculptures celebrating victories; a massive wall and moat around the city.

Which empire toppled the Assyrians in the early 6th century BCE?

The Chaldeans (Neo-Babylonians) coalition.

What kingdom rose to power in Babylon after the fall of the Assyrians?

The New Babylonians (Neo-Babylonians) under the Chaldeans, especially Nebuchadnezzar II.

What is the Ishtar Gate and why is it significant?

A grand gate in Babylon decorated to honor the goddess Ishtar, symbolizing Babylonian power.

What were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?

An enormous, legendary series of terraced gardens with water features, associated with Nebuchadnezzar II.

Which empire conquered Babylon in 539 BCE?

The Persian (Achaemenid) Empire.

How does Hammurabi's Code provide insight into Babylonian values?

By examining its laws on commerce, agriculture, religion, gender, and social hierarchy.

Why is the Ishtar Gate and Hanging Gardens considered wonders of the ancient world in the narrative of Babylon?

They symbolize wealth, power, and architectural achievement in a time of constant warfare.

What is the broader geographic scope of the Assyrian Empire at its height?

From the Black Sea and Caspian Sea in the north to the Persian Gulf in the east, down to Egypt in the south, and to the Mediterranean in the west.