early empires

FERTILE CRESCENT
Earliest evidence of civilization
Region = Tigris, Euphrates, Nile, Persian Gulf, Mediterranean

MESOPOTAMIA
Rapid population growth (4000 BCE)
Little rainfall, relied on Tigris + Euphrates irrigation
Sumer (south Mesopotamia) irrigation by 5000 BCE, densest pop by 3000 BCE (~100,000 people)
Sumerians had unique language
Semitic migrants (Akkadian, Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician) moved in, adopted Sumerian traditions
Sumerians built city-states with ziggurats, irrigation canals, defensive walls, armies

SUMERIAN GOVERNMENT
Early rule by assemblies of men
In crises power shifted to one ruler → kings called LUGALS (“big man”)
Kings ruled with nobles (often military leaders)

AKKADIAN EMPIRE
After 2800 BCE wars among city-states
2334 BCE SARGON OF AKKAD conquers Sumer
Destroyed walls, placed governors, expanded army
Relied on personal presence, cities had to feed/support armies
Funded empire with control of trade + resources (silver, tin, cedar)
Capital Akkad became wealthiest city
Collapsed ~2150 BCE from rebellions + invasions

BABYLONIAN EMPIRE
HAMMURABI (1792 BCE) conquered Mesopotamia
Improved on Sargon with centralized bureaucracy + regular taxation
Stationed deputies in cities
More efficient and stable than Akkadians
HAMMURABI’S CODE = most complete ancient law code
Lex talionis (law of retaliation) but punishments based on class
Ex: noble → noble = eye for eye; noble → commoner = fine
Wealth attracted invaders → 1595 BCE Hittites invaded and destroyed Babylon

ASSYRIAN EMPIRE
Tigris Valley, cities ASSUR and NINEVEH
Organized army of 50,000 with infantry, cavalry, chariots, engineers, iron weapons
Officers chosen by merit not birth
Expanded 1300 BCE onward, peak = Mesopotamia, Syria, Palestine, Anatolia, most of Egypt
Built bridges and siege works in campaigns
Law code similar to Hammurabi’s
Preserved Mesopotamian lit → EPIC OF GILGAMESH
Empire too large, fell to unrest + attacks

NEO-BABYLONIAN (CHALDEAN) EMPIRE
Ruled ~50 years under NEBUCHADNEZZAR
Massive walls, 1179 temples, advanced irrigation, hanging gardens
Known for wealth + ingenuity
Conquered by Persians