The First Empires Empire: state containing several countries or territories Independent city-states of Sumer fought each other for power in the fertile.

The First EmpiresEmpire: state containing several countries

or territoriesIndependent city-states of Sumer fought

each other for power in the fertile regionCity-states had allies

Allies are independent city-states that work together to attain a military or political goal

City-states grew weaker because they spent too much time fighting each other

This situation led to Sumerian cities being conquered by external forces

The Akkadian EmpireAkkadians lived to the northwest of Sumer

Spoke different language and had different customs

2300 B.C.E: King Sargon conquers Kish (Sumerian City)Changed languageAkkadian Army conquered other city-statesPlaced loyal Akkadians in government and religious

positionsUnited Mesopotamia by placing cities under his ruleSargon increased tradeSargon appointed local rulers to control landSargon controlled Akkadian Empire for more than 50

years

The Fall of the Akkadian Empire

Sargon dies in 2279 B.C.ERebellions and invasions led the empire to

collapse

Fighting for MesopotamiaEmpires were created and destroyed in the Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia)

City-states fought for control over the rich territory

After years of struggle, a man named Hammurabi united the region

His empire was called the Babylonian Empire

The Babylonian EmpireBabylon was a small city-state on the

Euphrates river (Present day Iraq)In Babylon, King Hammurabi created the

center of the Mesopotamian Empire1792 B.C.E: Hammurabi becomes king of

BabylonBuilt up his army and attacked other city-

statesHe created the Old Babylonian EmpireHe sent his own tax collectors, judges, and

governors to rule distant citiesEncouraged growth and trade

Hammurabi’s CodeSet of laws that governed life in Babylonian Empire

Includes nearly 300 lawsSet up specific punishments for robbery and murder

Also dealt with contracts, marriage, and divorce

Hammurabi’s CodeHarsh punishments that encouraged social order

More detailed than Ur-Nammu law code

Attempted to write down all laws that governed society

Established rule of law: everyone must obey the law

Daily Life in Babylonia Most people were farmersFood was grown and distributedBuilt irrigation canalsWool was used for clothingTraders bought and sold goodsNew tools, weapons, pottery, and perfumes

and medicineKnown for bronze and stone sculpturesUsed gold and precious stones to make

jewelry