Fighting for Mesopotamia Empires 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 Empire Babylon was a small city-state on the Euphrates river (Present day Iraq) In Babylon, King Hammurabi created the center of the Mesopotamian Empire 1792 B.C.E: Hammurabi becomes king of Babylon Built up his army and attacked other city-states He created the Old Babylonian Empire He sent his own tax collectors, judges, and governors to rule distant cities Encouraged growth and trade

Hammurabi’s Code Set of laws that governed life in Babylonian Empire Includes nearly 300 laws Set up specific punishments for robbery and murder Also dealt with contracts, marriage, and divorce

Hammurabi’s Code Harsh 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

Hammurabi Code - Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDALXORbtR4

Daily Life in Babylonia Most people were farmers Food was grown and distributed Built irrigation canals Wool was used for clothing Traders bought and sold goods New tools, weapons, pottery, and perfumes and medicine Known for bronze and stone sculptures Used gold and precious stones to make jewelry

Legacy of Sumer Babylonian and Akkadian Empire taught us about Sumerian culture. How? Through Writing Babylonian Empire collapsed Sumerian advancements in technology, farming, writing, and the law lived on

PowerPoint 8 – The End