In 2300 BC, Sargon the ruler of Akkad conquers Sumer This begins the first Empire known to history Does not last long, and city states revive, but starts a pattern of conquest

In 1790 BC Hammurabi, the King of Babylon Conquered most of the Fertile Crescent Creates the “Code of Hammurabi” to unite the Empire under it’s law

Wanted people to know the legal principals his government would follow Carved the 300 laws on a stone pillar for all to see The Code listed criminal laws and civil laws “An eye for and eye” Much more orderly than past laws Only applied to people of equal status

The Code tries to protect the powerless –Including women and slaves –Set out divorce laws –Women had MUCH less freedom and status than in Egypt or Sumer

Improved Irrigation Systems Organized a well-trained Army

The Fertile Crescent is invaded and conquered many times Some conquerors like the Hittites brought important new skills that advanced society

The Hittites were less advanced than other peoples but learned to extract iron ore Heat Iron Ore and pound out imperfections Put hot iron ore in cold water creates a very hard substance Many weapons and tools made with this technology

One of the most warlike people in History Pleased their God Assur

Well-ordered society even though it was warlike Huge palaces were paid for through trade and war King Assurbanipal started the first library in Nineveh Death of Assurbanipal leads to revival of Babylon

Led by Nebuchadnezzar Empire stretched from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea Rebuilt much of what the Assyrians had destroyed Built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, on of the 8 wonders of the Ancient World

Conquerors of the Babylonian Empire The Persians were tolerant with people they conquered

Brought much of the Persian Empire together Divided the Persian Empire into provinces headed by a Satrap – a governer who paid taxes to Darius

Adapted laws from people that he conquered Built hundreds of miles of road –Enabled communication and control Moved from one royal capitol to the other, celebrating traditions in each

Set up common set of weights and measures Introduced coins as currency, but mostly used a barter economy

Zoroaster set the standard for beliefs in Persia Dismissed many of the old Persian Gods Believed in Ahura Mazda who was always battling Ahriman (prince of lies and evil) Each person had to choose sides in the fight

Brave Sea Traders –Set up colonies –Spread the Eastern Civilization around the Mediterranean Sea –Made the first real alphabet