Babylonia and Assyria Chapter 2, Section 2

The Two Empires of Mesopotamia Sargon II was one of many kings who ruled Mesopotamia after the fall of Sumer. The history of Mesopotamia is filled with stories of conquest by one powerful warrior after another. – Land worth taking  brought great wealth – After the land was won, the new ruler became a target for another conqueror.

The Two Empires of Mesopotamia Babylonia & Assyria Empire  area of many territories and people that are controlled by one government City of Babylon = center of Babylonian empire – Reached its height around 1750 B.C. Assyrians  began expanding lands in the 1300s B.C. – Controlled a huge empire by 600s B.C. – Stretched from the Persian Gulf across the Fertile Crescent and through Egypt

The Two Empires of Mesopotamia Babylonians and Assyrians = 2 things in common 1.Quest for riches  vicious warriors 2.Enjoyment of riches  build grand cities where culture and learning were highly valued

Babylonian and Assyrian Empire

The Babylonian Empire Hammurabi  Babylonian king – Created the empire by uniting the cities of Sumer – Conquered lands all the way to Asia Minor, present-day Turkey

A Crossroads of Trade Babylon’s location made it a crossroads of trade Caravans  groups of travelers – coming and going from the cities of Sumer to the south and Akka to the north would stop in Babylon Bazaars  markets – Would buy cotton cloth from India and spices from Egypt Trade and conquest made Babylon rich.

Mesopotamia Marketplace

Wealth through Conquest A successful conqueror reaped great rewards 1760 B.C. Hammurabi conquered the city of Mari – Seized city’s war chariots, weapons, and tools which were the best of the world 1600 B.C. the empire first conquered by Hammurabi had shrunk and was finally destroyed

The Empire of the Assyrians Located north of Babylon Capital = Nineveh, quiet village on Tigris River Lay on open land  could easily be invaded Skilled warriors due to constantly defending themselves 1365 B.C. decided best method would be to attack 650 B.C. Assyria had conquered a large empire – Stretched across the Fertile Crescent, from the Nile River to the Persian Gulf

Nineveh

Assyria’s Contributions As Assyrians grew in power, Nineveh became a city of great learning – Library that held thousands of clay tablets with writings from Sumer and Babylon Allow us to know a great deal about life in Mesopotamia

Assyrian Library

Assyria’s Contributions Assyrians were geniuses at waging war. – Invented the battery ram  powerful weapon on wheels that pounded city walls to rubble – Slingers hurled stones at the enemy – Expert archers were protected with helmets and armor – Most feared = armed charioteers who slashed their way through the enemy

Assyria Overthrown The Assyrians had few friends in the lands they ruled. – Conquered people attempted a number of rebellions against Assyrian rule. Medes and Chaldeans joined together to smash the Assyrian empire in 612 B.C.

Babylonia Rises Again Under the Chaldeans, Babylon rose again  became the center of an even more splendid kingdom known as the New Babylonian empire – Greatest king = Nebuchadnezzar II Rebuilt the city of Babylon (destroyed by the Assyrians) Massive walls around city for protection, gigantic palace with colored tiles with carved designs

Babylon Rises Again Nebuchadnezzar’s royal palace was built on several terraces that rose to the height of 350 feet. Gardens  legend = build for his wife who came from the high plateau and hated the dry plains of Mesopotamia

Palace

Babylon Rises Again Under the Chaldeans, the New Babylonian empire became a center of learning and science. – Astronomers charted the paths of the stars and measured the length of a year that was only a few minutes different from the length modern scientists have calculated – Farmers raised wild bees to collect honey

Babylon Rises Again Open to attack by powerful neighbors 539 B.C.  the New Babylonian empire fell, but the city of Babylon was spared