1. What is an Empire?
Can it last forever?

2. Do Now
With your neighbor, come up with a definition of what you think an empire is.
Definition: A political unit where a large area and many people are controlled by one ruler
How is your definition similar

3. The World’s 1st Empire Mesopotamia – 2300 BCE – Akkadian Empire
Founder: Sargon
United the Mesopotamian City-States under one ruler
Conquered the Sumerians, but
adopted their culture
(farming/religion)

4. Who was Sargon? Read the autobiography of Sargon individually
With a partner, discuss and answer the questions that follow.

6. Why do Empires Fall?
Can you name any Empires that exist in the world today?
With your partner, come up with some reason you believe an empire falls or ends.

7. In China

8. Fall of the Akkadian Empire
Legend says, the Gods were angry and destroyed the Empire.
Most likely cause: famine caused by drought
Empire weakened due to civil war and weak leadership and was taken over by the Babylonians (Remember Hammurabi?)