Chapter 1 Section 3 Sargon and Hammurabi

Over time, conflicts weakened Sumer’s city-states, and they became vulnerable to attacks by outside groups such as the Akkadians of northern Mesopotamia.

The king of the Akkadians was Sargon. By 2340 B.C., Sargon conquered Mesopotamia and set up the world’s first empire. An empire is a group of many different lands under one ruler. Sargon’s empire lasted for 200 years and fell to invaders.

Sargon of Akkad: The World’s First Empire [Akkadians ]

By the 1800’s B.C., a new group took control of Mesopotamia and built the capital city of Babylon by the Euphrates River. The most powerful Babylonian king, Hammurabi began conquering cities of Mesopotamia and created the Babylonian Empire. nglish/2_babylonian_full.htm

Reigned c. 1792–1750 B.C Hammurabi

The Babylonian Empires

Hammurabi’s [r B. C. E.] Code § Hammurabi is best known for his law code which is a collection of laws. § The Code of law was carved into stone pillars and placed around the city for people to see.

Hammurabi’s [r B. C. E.] Code § Hammurabi’s Code covered crimes, farming and business activities, marriage and family, and almost every area of life.

Hammurabi, the Judge § Many punishments in the Code were cruel, but it was a step to a fair justice system.