Directions: Proofread – check grammar and spelling. Revise and edit – help make your partner’s paper better.

Before you leave today make sure you’re able to answer the following question: Q: What are the major accomplishments of the Four Empires of Mesopotamia?

9/29 Ancient History Do Now: -Take out your chapter 5 and 6 review sheet. Essential Question: What are the major accomplishments of the Four Empires of Mesopotamia?

Sumerian Civilization

Stable Food Supply Two inventions helped create a stable food supply - irrigation systems - plow = tool for tilling the soil

Government City-states were ruled by kings The king’s duties were: - enforce laws - collect taxes - build temples - maintain irrigation systems - lead the army

Government – continued Chariots – wheeled vehicles pulled by horses & used by soldiers Scribes – a person who writes & helps record laws

Religion Ziggurat = a religious tower made of mud bricks & located near temples

Technology The wheel The plow The arch = upside down U or V shaped structure that supports buildings

Arch

Writing Pictographs = symbols that stand for real objects Cuneiform = writing that uses wedge-shaped characters

Chapter 6: Exploring Four Empires of Mesopotamia

The Akkadian Empire

The Akkadian Empire Sargon was their first ruler. He was a strong king & a skilled general. Sargon used his military skills to win territory for his empire. He destroyed the walls of cities to make it harder to rebel. He made sure governors were loyal to him. He demanded that his sons replace him after his death.

Sargon Akkadian Army

Life Under Akkadian Rule The Akkadians collected tributes (money & goods) from the people they conquered. Akkadians borrowed irrigation techniques, writing, & religious beliefs from the Sumerians. Akkadians achievements included their own language and three-dimensional sculptures called steles.

Victory Stele

Hammurabi & the Babylonian Empire

Hammurabi & the Babylonian Empire Hammurabi was the king of Babylon. He is best known for his code of laws. He used the code to unify his empire & preserve order. The laws could never be changed & were very detailed. First code of laws to apply to everyone

Life in the Babylonian Empire Hammurabi built roads and created a postal service. Agriculture and trade flourished. The society was very fair for its time. Slaves and women even had some rights. Both could own property and keep their own money. Slaves could even buy their own freedom.

The Assyrian Empire

The Assyrian Empire The Assyrians had a trained army that helped them expand their territory. Their greatest achievements were their new weapons and war strategies. Used horses & iron weapons Used battering rams & moveable towers They were extremely good at siege warfare

The Assyrian Empire

Life Under the Assyrians Religion was very important to this group. The Assyrians believed that kings were special beings so they built beautiful palaces for them. They also built the first aqueducts (pipes that carry water to distant places). Assyrians created two-dimensional sculptures called bas-reliefs.

Assyrian Bas-relief

The Neo-Babylonian Empire The most famous king of this empire was Nebuchadrezzar II. He conquered Syria & part of Canaan. To keep his capital safe, he built an inner & outer wall around the city. He built towers for archers to stand on & also dug a moat around the city.

Life in the Neo-Babylonian Empire Nebuchadrezzar rebuilt the ziggurat. He also decorated his palace with gardens. They became the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Neo-Babylonians Babylonians were also skilled in mathematics & astronomy. The created the first sundial. They made discoveries that led us to the 60-minute hour & the 7-day week. Was conquered by the Persian Empire in 539 BCE