1. Achievements of Sumer 1 st to use a system of writing 1 st to have a form of government Invented the wheel, wheeled carts, dikes, and canals 1 st to develop and use units of measurement (acre and quart) Developed a number system based on 60 1 st to develop and use cargo ships with sails for transportation

2. Achievements of Babylon Code of Hammurabi (1 st written legal code) Developed the concept of Equal justice 1 st to use a standardized system of Taxation Developed the concept of Rule of Law Built the Tower of Babel and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon

3. Achievements of Assyria Had a great military and built the largest empire in Mesopotamia Invented War chariots Developed a system of roads Master goldsmiths

4. Achievements of the Israelites Ten commandments Judaism The Torah (1 st 5 books of Bible) Monotheism 1 st people to keep an accurate account of their history (achievements and failures)

5. Achievements of the Phoenicians Spread the use of the Alphabet They were great traders and sailors

6. Achievements of the Lydians 1 st to use coins as a form of money