1. Chapter 2
Section 3

2. The Akkadian Empire
Sargon known as creator of first empire in history.
Empires change the way people live.
Encourage trade - makes more goods available.
Include people from several cultures.
Ideas, technology, and customs - shared by all.
Sargon ruled the Fertile Crescent.

3. The Babylonian Empire and Hammurabi
B.C. - Hammurabi ruled…
Developed a single code of law.
Displayed on a huge pillar in Babylon.
Identified acts of wrongdoing / punishments.
Laws applied to all people, not just a few.

5. Assyrians
Assyria reached its peak of power under Ashurbanipal from 668 to 627 B.C.
Conquered many lands including Syria, Babylonia, Egypt, Phoenicia, and Palestine.
Governed conquered lands by choosing a governor.
Governors sent tribute to the Assyrian emperor.
Army destroyed cities in land if tributes not paid.
People forced into exile - often to faraway places.

6. Assyria Crumbles 609 B.C.- Assyrian Empire fell.
Medes and Chaldeans - defeated Assyrians.
Destroyed Nineveh (capital) - burnt it to the ground.

7. A New Babylonian Empire
Chaldean Empire reached its peak under Nebuchadnezzar II, who ruled from B.C.
Rebuilt Babylon - made it the capital.
Constructed Hanging Gardens of Babylon!!
Sometimes Chaldeans called the New Babylonians.

9. Other Rulers Weak rulers followed Nebuchadnezzar II.
Medes controlled Persians’ land.
Region bounded by mountain ranges: Zagros, Caucasus and Hindu Kush.
Modern-day Iran lies in this area.
Persians arrived in Media around 1000 B.C.
Created many tiny kingdoms - thrived through trade.
Kingdoms grew in power .
Began to threaten Medes’ control of the land.

10. Cruel
Cruel

11. Cyrus Founds the Persian Empire
Cyrus conquered the lands around Persia and united land into one large empire.
Set up a policy of toleration.
Conquered peoples could worship own gods, speak own languages, and practice own ways of life.
Paid tribute.
Governing empire much easier.
Fewer revolts and people lived in peace.

12. Darius Expands the Empire
After Cyrus, Cambyses expanded empire.
Ruled through harsh means.
After death, rebellions broke out across the empire.
Darius took over and dealt with rebellious peoples.
Empire grew very large.
Divided the empire into 20 provinces.
Each province had a local government.
Used satraps govern / collect taxes.
Appointed a military commander for each satrap.

13. Darius also built a Royal Road.
1,775 miles long.
Royal messages were sent by a relay of messengers.
Military troops and mail also moved about empire.
Set up a code of law based on Hammurabi’s model.
From Lydians - took the idea of minted coins.
Promoted business and made it easy to pay taxes.