Later Peoples of the Fertile Crescent

Take out a blank piece of paper  Imagine a world where there are no laws  Write a short story, (about one page) about a time when two people in this world get into a conflict.  Examples: A theft, fight or accidental injury  Be ready to share your story in class

The Babylonians Conquer Mesopotamia  What is a monarch? A monarch is a ruler of a kingdom or empire. Sumerian kings claimed to be chosen by the gods.  Babylon had once been a Sumerian city located on the Euphrates River near what is today, Baghdad. Ancient Babylon

Hammurabi  Who was Hammurabi?  In 1792 BC Hammurabi became king of Babylon and was a brilliant war leader.  He oversaw the building of new sewer, irrigation, building, and tax collection systems.  He ruled for 42 years. During his reign Mesopotamia prospered.

Hammurabi’s Code  The earliest known collection of laws.  A set of 282 laws that dealt with almost every part of daily life.  People all over the empire could read exactly what was against the law.  Video Video Actual Code of Laws carved in stone The penalty for breaking the bone of a slave was to pay a fine!!!!

If a builder builds a house and does not make the construction firm and the house collapses and causes death of the owner, that builder shall be put to death.

If a freeman brings false testimony in a case that carries the death sentence, he shall be put to death.

If a freeman wants to disinherit his son but the judges find the son has done no grave wrong, the father may not disinherit his son.

If a freeman rents a field but does not cultivate it, he shall pay the owner grain based on the yield of adjoining fields.

If a trader borrows money from a merchant and then denies it, and the merchant can prove this loan was made, the trader shall pay the merchant three times the amount he borrowed.

Man’s Law vs God’s Law  Moses  Ten commandments  Guidelines to live by to please God   Hammurabi  Code of law  Punishment by man for wrongs against other man

Invasion of Mesopotamia Who were the Hittites?  A strong kingdom in Asia Minor, in what is today, Turkey.  First people to master ironworking.  Used the chariot, a wheeled, horse-drawn cart used in battle.  They captured Babylon in 1595 BC.

Who were the Kassites?  The Kassites were people who lived north of Babylon.  They captured the city of Babylon from the Hittites  Ruled for almost 400 years.

Who were the Assyrians?  Lived in northern Mesopotamia  Ruled off and on for 300 years, after they captured Babylon.  In 900 BC they began to conquer all of Mesopotamia, parts of Asia Minor, and Egypt.  They were fierce in battle and before attacking, they spread terror by looting villages and burning crops. Anyone who resisted was killed!!

No it’s not me…

Assyrian Empire was ruled from Ninevah. They were harsh rulers, whose kings ruled their kingdom through local leaders. Communication between cities was done by messengers on horseback. Video

Who was Nebuchadnezzar?  The most famous Chaldean king.  He rebuilt Babylon into a beautiful city.  He admired Sumerian culture and studied their language and religion. Palace of Nebuchadnezzar

 Ancient ruins of Babylon

Who were the Phoenicians?  Lived at the western end of the Fertile Crescent along the Mediterranean Sea.  Created a wealthy trading society.  Today the nation of Lebanon occupies most of what was once Phoenicia.

The Phoenicians were expert sailors and found new colonies such as Carthage in northern Africa.

Phoenician Achievements  One of the world’s first alphabets.  Glassblowing  Purple dye from a snail-like shellfish  Ivory carvings  Became powerful because of establishing Mediterranean trade routes, not winning battles.

Summary  Many different peoples ruled in the Fertile Crescent after the Sumerians. Some made important contributions that are still valued today. Mesopotamian Calendar