Mesopotamia Empires

Social Studies

empire

a large territory or group of many territories governed by one ruler

code

a set of official laws

military

relating to soldiers, arms, or war

tribute

a payment made to a ruler or state as a sign of surrender

Provience

a territory governed as a political district of a country or empire

region

a geographic area

complex

having many parts, details, or ideas

caravan

a group of merchants traveling together for safety, usually with a large number of camels

astronomer

a person who studies planets and stars

slingshot

a weapon used to throw stones or other objects

Who was Sargon?

Sargon was the ruler of Akkad/Akkadians about 2340 B.C. He conquered Sumerian city-states in conflict and united them with Sumer/Akkad forming the world's first empire.

Who was Hammurabi?

Babylonian warrior king conquering Amorite controlled cities N.&S. creating the Babylonian Empire. He created Hammurabi's Code (1792 BC).

Where was Babylon located?

The east bank of the Euphrates what is now Iraq.

What was the location/geo. of Hammurabi's Empire?

North of the Persian Gulf through the Tigris-Euphrates valley and west to the Mediterranean Sea.

What were Hammurabi's Codes?

The Code was strict laws that dealt with crimes, farming, business, marriage and family listing a punishment for each crime for all to read. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." - Punishment matched the crime.

Why were Hammurabi's codes important?

Codes protected the less powerful. Hammurabi's Code influenced later law codes, such as Greece and Rome.

Who were the Assyrian?

Assyrian Empire arose about 900 B.C.

Large/Powerful well trained military. They took tributes from conquered people.

About 650 BC fights broke out over who should rule the empire next causing turmoil and weakening them.

What was the location/Geo. of the Assyrian Empire?

Assyria extended from the Persian Gulf in the east to the Nile River in the West. Capital: Nineveh

Why did the Assyrians have such a strong army?

Iron weapons which were stronger than tin or copper (Learned how to make iron weapons from the Hittites. Professional soldiers- (50K soldiers- infantry, cavalry, and charioteers.

Weapons: slingshots, bow and arrows, swords and spears. They were brutal and feared.

How would you describe Assyrians government?

Government: King - divided the empire into provinces. They built roads connecting the provinces. King appointed officials to govern, collect taxes, and carry out laws in each province. Soldiers stood guard along roads protecting traders.

What was life like in Assyria?

Life: Lives built on what was learned from other Mesopotamian peoples. Harsh law codes, writing based on Babylonian writing and worshiped many of the same gods. They build large temples/palaces with walls, carvings and statues. Wrote stories- library with collected stories.

Farming and trade were important. Bought wood and metal for building, tools, and weapons.

Why did people often rebel against the Assyrian rule?

They were harsh rulers.

Who was Nabopolassar?

The King of the Chaldeans decided to reclaim his kingdom while the Assyrians were fighting each other. In 627 B.C. He led a revolt forcing the Assyrians out of Uruk and was crowned king of Babylonia. He rebuilt Babylon.

Who were the Chaldeans?

Chaldeans- small kingdom ruled by the harsh Assyrians. Hated the Assyrians!

Who were the Medes?

Meades- another people in the region that wanted to break free of the Assyrians, so they joined the Chaldeans.

Together they captured the Nineveh, Assyrians capital and their army. Assyrian Empire crumbled 612 B.C.

Who was Nebuchadnezzar and what did he do?

Son of Nabopolassar helped his father create a new empire. Gaining almost all of Assyrian empire lands - Babylon was the new capital.

What do you know about the Hanging Gardens?

Hanging Gardens: One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Terraced gardens- built like huge steps- trees, flowering vines, and plants. Compex irrigation system brought it water. Nebuchadnezzar built it to please his wife. Missed her homeland!

What was the Chaldean Empire called and why?

New Babylonian Empire. Most of the Chaldeans were descendants of the Babylonians who made up Hammurabi's empire about 1,200 years earlier.

What was Babylon like in it's greatness?

Babylon: Largest, richest city in the world. Huge brick walls around the city, soldiers kept watch in towers. Palace/Temples - center of Babylon. 300 ft. Ziggurat - gold roof could be seen for miles in the sun.

Built many new canals- making land even more fertile. High taxes and tributes. Efficient government to manage a large empire.

What did the artisans of Babylon make?

Pottery, cloth, and baskets

What goods did merchants that came to the city of Babylon buy?

Merchants coming to Babylon bought pottery, cloth, baskets and jewelry.

What scientific advancements did the people of Babylon make?

Believed the gods showed plans in the changes in the sky - Astronomy. Map the stars, planets, phases of the moon. Invented one of the first sundials (time). First to follow a seven day week.

Why did the Chaldean empire Fall?

Nebuchadnezzar died: Weak kings followed- poor harvests and slow trade weakened the empire.

Who were the Persians?

A people known as the Persians took advantage of the weak empire In 539 B.C. and captured Babylon. The Persians made Mesopotamia part of their empire.

Why do civilizations often rise?

Strong leadership and unity.

Why do civilizations often fall.

Weak leadership and disunity.