Conquests and Empires

Causes and Effects of Conflict Most wars were fought over farmland and water rights. No natural boundaries (no mountains, flat land) to separate city-states Therefore, city-states put up pillars to mark borders. Pillars were moved and destroyed, which often led to war. New weapons/technology-War chariot

War Chariot

Terms to Know Empire: conquered land of many people and places governed by one ruler Emperor: Ruler of an empire

Sargon the Conqueror First known conqueror in Mesopotamia Served as a leader in the city-state, Kish, before killing the king and taking control. Made an army and created an empire through Mesopotamia – What was he now??? New capital, Akkad Ruled for 55 years First paid army Effective, organized ruler By about 2300 BC, the empire weakened.

Hammurabi the Lawgiver 1790-1750 BC Hammurabi, king of city-state Babylon, conquered and reunited most of Mesopotamia. This became the Babylonian Empire Improved the city-states by promoting trade, building products, and maintaining the dikes and canals-Babylon thrived as a center for trade. Created system of taxation-everyone paid their share

Hammurabi the Lawgiver Best known for his collection of laws, The Code of Hammurabi 282 laws-covered almost every part of life-marriage, divorce, adoption, murder, slaves, lands, and more Old laws were complicated and unfair. These were clear and had standard punishments such as, “An eye for an eye.” Introduced equal justice-fair treatment By 1600 BC the Babylonians were conquered.

The Assyrians The conquered and their empire extended outside of Mesopotamia Great desire to control trade routes in southwestern Asia Conquered neighbors one by one using war chariots United their empire by building roads Capital-Nineveh 612 BC- the empire was brought down by invaders from the northwest