Around MesopotamiaSumer, Akkadia, Babylon, and others in the Fertile Crescent

9th Grade Integrated HonorsMr. Coia

Key TermsMesopotamia: An

ancient region of southwest Asia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern-day Iraq. Probably settled before 5000 B.C., the area was the home of numerous early civilizations, including Sumer, Akkad, Babylonia, and Assyria.

Social Structure in Sumer

Around 3200 B.C., the first Sumerian cities emerged in the southern part of Mesopotamia. They used earth and water to make bricks for building.

Trade brought riches to Sumerian cities. The Sumerians were the first to make wheeled vehicles.

In each Sumerian city-state, the ruler was responsible for maintaining the city walls and irrigations systems.

Each Sumerian city-state had a distinct social hierarchy. At the base of society were the majority of people, peasant farms.

Religion and Afterlife

Sumerians practiced polytheistic and their gods were thought to control every aspect of life.

Each city built a ziggurat, a pyramid-temple that soared toward the heavens. At the top was a shrine to the chief god or goddess of the city.

Religion

The Sumerians believed in an afterlife, but thought the underworld was a grim place of no-release. They buried food and tools with their dead.

Unlike the Egyptians, they did not imagine the afterlife in detail.

They did not believe in rewards and punishments.

Gods

An, lord of heaven

Enlil, god of air and storms

Enki, god of water and wisdom

The Evolution of Writing

Sumerians invented the earliest known form of writing called cuneiform using a reed pen to make wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.

Cuneiform is from the Latin word for wedge.

Sumerian scribes went through years of difficult schooling to acquire their skills.

First Empire 2350 BC

Sumerian city-states wanted power = land and water

In about 2350 BC a leader named Sargon led his army to conquer the Sumerian city-states

Used force and an organized government

Sargon began first empire called the Akkadian Empire

Akkadians

Sargon brought new land and people under his control

He ruled for 55 yearsBecame most splendid city in

all of MesopotamiaEach ruler paid Sargon a

tributeEmpire lasted 200 years

after Sargon’s death

How did Sargon control his empire?

Used force and an organized government, including a standing army and officials who were faithful to him

The Babylonians 1790 BC-1600 BC

Hammurabi = King of city-state Babylon 1790-1750 BC

Conquered most of Mesopotamia = Babylonian Empire

Tax system= all people paid the same

Hammurabi’s Code

Hammurabi was not the author of the code. Most of the laws had been around since Sumerian Times, but Hammurabi wanted everyone in his empire to know the legal principles his government would follow.

He had artisans carve 282 laws on a stone pillar for all to see.

This was the first time a ruler attempted to solidify all of the laws that would govern a state.

Hammurabi’s Code

Criminal laws dealt with offenses against others. Hammurabi’s Code limited personal vengeance and encouraged social order.

Civil Law dealt with private rights and matters, such as business contracts, marriage, taxes, and divorce. Much of Hammurabi’s Code was designed to protect the powerless.

Law #196: “If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.”

Does this sound familiar?

Why was the code of Hammurabi so important?

-First written laws-Changed unfair laws-Made changes to confusing laws-Everyone could see them

The Babylonians

Invented the idea of a circle containing 360 degrees and the hour containing sixty minutes

The Assyrians

Warlike people from northern Mesopotamia, the Assyrians began to consolidate a great empire

For 500 years, they earned a reputation for being among the most feared warriors in history

Conquered Mesopotamia and created the largest empire in the world at the time

The Assyrians

They were fierce, effective warriors

Used chariots, and were the first to use calvary, soldiers on horseback.

In 700 B.C. the Assyrians captured Babylon, looted it, and destroyed it

The Assyrians

Wrote Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest works of fiction literature.

Assyria fell in 612 B.C. due to a civil war and foreign invaders.

Babylon Revived

Nebuchadnezzar revived the power of Babylon, rebuilt the canals, temples, walls and palaces of Babylon.

Also called the ChaldeansNebuchadnezzar built the Hanging

Gardens of Babylon for his homesick wifeIn 587 B.C., he destroyed Jerusalem,

sending the tribes of Judah into exile.Mentioned in the Book of Daniel

Quick Summary

Competition for resources gave rise to early empires in Mesopotamia

Sargon built first empire, Akkadian.Babylonian Empire grew under

HammurabiAssyrians also built empires in the region

Vocabulary

Conquer EmpireEmperorStanding ArmyTributeCode of Hammurabi