1. Fighting for Mesopotamia
Empires were created and destroyed in the Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia)
City-states fought for control over the rich territory
After years of struggle, a man named Hammurabi united the region
His empire was called the Babylonian Empire

2. The Babylonian Empire
Babylon was a small city-state on the Euphrates river (Present day Iraq)
In Babylon, King Hammurabi created the center of the Mesopotamian Empire
1792 B.C.E: Hammurabi becomes king of Babylon
Built up his army and attacked other city-states
He created the Old Babylonian Empire
He sent his own tax collectors, judges, and governors to rule distant cities
Encouraged growth and trade

3. Hammurabi’s Code Set of laws that governed life in Babylonian Empire
Includes nearly 300 laws
Set up specific punishments for robbery and murder
Also dealt with contracts, marriage, and divorce

4. Hammurabi’s Code Harsh punishments that encouraged social order
More detailed than Ur-Nammu law code
Attempted to write down all laws that governed society
Established rule of law: everyone must obey the law

5. Hammurabi Code - Video

6. Daily Life in Babylonia
Most people were farmers
Food was grown and distributed
Built irrigation canals
Wool was used for clothing
Traders bought and sold goods
New tools, weapons, pottery, and perfumes and medicine
Known for bronze and stone sculptures
Used gold and precious stones to make jewelry

7. Legacy of Sumer
Babylonian and Akkadian Empire taught us about Sumerian culture.
How? Through Writing
Babylonian Empire collapsed
Sumerian advancements in technology, farming, writing, and the law lived on

8. PowerPoint 8 – The End