Empires of the Fertile Crescent Empires of The Fertile Crescent BabyloniansAssyrians Hittites And Kassites ChaldeansPhoenicians

Akkadian Empire Akkadians lived along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In the beginning, both societies lived together peacefully. Peace was broken when Akkadian leader, Sargon, wanted to extend Akkadian territory. All Sumer cities were defeated. All parts of Mesopotamia were defeated. Sargon created the first empire. An empire is land with different territories and people under one rule.

Babylon Next to invade Mesopotamia were the Babylonians. Babylon, a city located on the Euphrates River. Hammurabi became the king of Babylon.

Hammurabi’s Code Hammurabi, famous emperor of ancient Mesopotamia, ruled from 1792 to 1750 B.C. During his rule was the first code of laws was presented to the people of the empire. It was known as the Code of Hammurabi. According to the code, punishment for breaking the laws depended upon the crime and criminal. Murder was punished by death. Eye for an eye.

Hammurabi

Hittites and Kassites Hittites were a strong kingdom. They had two key elements that made their kingdom strong, ironworking and chariots. Hittites were the first to use ironwork to create strong weapons. Chariots allowed soldiers to move quickly during battle. Hittite rule did not last long. Their king was assassinated and the city was taken over by the Kassites.

Chariot

Assyrians Strong army. Used iron to make weapons. Before battle, they would terrorize the city and kill anyone who resisted them. After taking over the city of Babylon, they demanded high taxes. Areas that resisted were harshly punished. Assyrian kings ruled the empire through local leaders. Each leader governed a small area and collected taxes, enforced laws and raised troops. Roads were built to link all the parts.

Chaldeans Chaldeans defeated the Assyrians at a time the Assyrians were weak due to a war amongst themselves. New king rebuilt Babylon. Created a new palace that features the Hanging Gardens. During this time Babylon became the center for astronomy. Created a calendar.

The Phoenicians Known as a trading society. They had one thing many people wanted, cedar. Trade routes blocked by mountains so they had to take to the sea. Because of this, they became expert sailors. Founded new colonies all over their trade routes. (Carthage) Traded cloth, glass, cedar, ivory carvings, silverwork. Created one of the world’s first alphabets. Alphabet are letters that can be put together to make words. Our alphabet is based on their alphabet.

Phoenician's Purple Cloth