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City-States Mesopotamian City-States were independent Each city-state was like its own nation (had its own government, traditions, culture, etc.) They often fought other city-states (for water rights, and other reasons) Empire An empire is a large territory where several groups are ruled by one leader or group Examples: Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, British Empire Positives and Negatives of an Empire What do you think? Akkadians Around 2300 BC, a group from Northern Mesopotamia, called the Akkadians, conquered the city-states in Sumer. The Akkadians were ruled by King Sargon I. Sargon was a strong king who ruled with absolute power He was a very skilled general who won many battles Sargon I Sargon the Great Was not born into wealth of power He took power from the King of Kish and began to conquer other city-states Invaded Southern Mesopotamia and defeated large city-states such as Uruk and Ur. He then marched further South until her reached the Persian Gulf. Washed his sword in the waters of the Persian Gulf. Sargon I Sargon was the first person to unite a multi-ethnic group of people under one ruler His Akkadian Empire was the First to have a full-time, paid army of about 5,400 soldiers Akkadian Empire Sargon I ruled for about 54 years (we don’t know the exact number) His army fought in tight formations with soldiers holding shields in the front and soldiers with spears behind the shields After he conquered a city-state, he tore down the walls of the city to make it harder for rebellion Akkadian Rule Under the Akkadians, Agade in Northern Mesopotmia was the capital of the empire. He collected “tribute” or money and goods from the city-states he conquered. Sargon made Agade a beautiful city with extreme wealth and power Akkadian Rule Even though the Akkadians conquered Sumer, Sumerian culture lived on. Sumerian irrigation, writing, and religion influenced the Akkadians who adopted much from the Sumerians. Akkadian art became very well-known including sculptures Victory Stele Three-dimensional sculptures were very popular. Akkadian Empire After King Sargon I died, the conquered citystates rebelled. Sargon’s son attempted to hold the empire together but after a number of years and continual fighting, the Akkadian Empire fell. For a time, the Sumerian city-states were independent again. Hammurabi Hammurabi was the first ruler of the Babylonian Empire. He gained control of a small city-state called Babylon after his father gave up his throne. Babylon was the capital of the Babylonian Empire Became king in 1792 BCE Hammurabi Babylonian Empire Hammurabi’s Babylonian Empire covered the area of Mesopotamia. Hammurabi’s Code of Laws Written from 1792 to 150 BC. Hammurabi used the laws to unify his empire and to preserve order. The laws were placed where everyone could see them. The laws were very detailed. They covered many situations such as trade, payment, punishment, etc. Hammurabi’s Code of Laws Example: If a builder builds a house and the house collapses and kills the owner, the builder can be put to death. Example: If the robber is not caught, then shall he who was robbed claim under oath the amount of his loss; then shall the community, and . . . on whose ground and territory and in whose domain it was compensate him for the goods stolen. Hammurabi’s Code of Laws Example: If any one open his ditches to water his crop, but is careless, and the water flood the field of his neighbor, then he shall pay his neighbor corn for his loss. Example: If a man knock out the teeth of his equal, his teeth shall be knocked out. (A tooth for a tooth) Life Under Babylonian Rule Babylonia flourished under Hammurabi and those who came after him. Agriculture and trade expanded. Irrigation made the land fertile. The laws of Babylon were relatively fair (especially compared to other laws of the time). Women had some rights. Fall of Babylon The Babylonian Empire did not last for very long. After Hammurabi’s death, over the next several hundred years, the empire began to lose power and various groups ruled the area. Assyrian Empire Ashurbanipal – ruler when Assyria was at its height From Northern Mesopotamia – North of Babylon Conquered all of Mesopotamia Created fear amongst their enemies (part of their military strategy) – brutal to intimidate other city-states Assyrians Rose to power around 900 BC Strong military, used chariots, and siege warfare Battering rams, horses, and iron Very well-trained army, professional Assyrians Respected Babylonian culture and civilization Create sculptures called bas reliefs Built aqueducts, and decorated with ivory At their height, they ruled the entire Fertile Crescent and it lasted around 300 years Assyrians Fall of Nineveh in 612 BC End of the Assyrian Empire