1. Lesson 1: Mesopotamian Empires
Chapter 4
Lesson 1: Mesopotamian Empires

2. The First Empire Builders Who controlled Mesopotamia?
An empire brings together many different peoples and lands under the control of one ruler.
The person who rules is called an emperor
In 2350 a powerful leader named Sargon took control of both northern and southern Mesopotamia
Sargon’s empire was called the Akkadian Empire (covered the region known as the Fertile Crescent)
Empires are important because they change the way people live
They may bring peace and encourage trade and include people from several cultures

3. The Babylonian Empire
The Akkadian Empire fell apart because of attacks by outside people
Around 2000 the Amorites began to invade and take control of the city-states of Sumer
Hammurabi was a powerful Amorite king who ruled the Babylonian Empire
Used governors to help him control the lands, sent out people to collect tax money and appointed judges to help keep order
Also watched over agriculture, irrigation, trade, and the construction of buildings

4. Hammurabi’s Law Code
Hammurabi believed a code of law would help to control the empire
A code of law is a set of written rules for people to obey
After studying rules from other lands, he put together a single code of law
This law, written in cuneiform, was displayed on large pillars near a temple
The code’s goal was to bring justice, fair treatment of people, to the people
The code gave rights to people living in the land, including women and children
The code established the idea that government should provide protection and justice for the people