Exploring fIVE empires of Mesopotamia The city states of Ancient Sumner, since they were small city states were often fighting over land and water rights. Their lack of unity left them open to attacks by stronger groups.

Exploring Five Empires Of Mesopotamia The Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Neo-Babylonians, and Persians were an empire because they were a large territory ruled by a single leader or government, unlike the Sumerians.

The Akkadian Empire The Akkadians were the first empire that united Sumer. They were led by a great powerful king, Sargon the Great. Sargon was a strong king and a skilled general Sargon used his military skills to conquer the land and take over Sumer. King Sargon the Great

Life Under Akkadian rule Stele Sargon had created the world’s first empire, this was the Akkadians greatest achievement. During Sargon’s reign he made the city of Agade in Northern Mesopotamia. He built up the city with tributes (taxes) he collected from the people he conquered. The Akkadians used steles to record important events with three dimensional sculptures, such as a military victory.

Hammurabi and the Babylon Empire After the Akkadians fell, Sumer once again became city states. The next ruler King Hammurabi from Babylon united all of Mesopotamia once again.

Hammurabi and the Babylon Empire King Hammurabi made the capital Babylon and is best remembered for his code of laws “The Code of Hammurabi.” (More about Hammurabi later) Code of Hammurabi

Life in the Babylonian Empire Euphrates River in present day Iraq With the Babylonian location on the banks of the Euphrates river, it became an important center of trade. Trade in the Babylonian empire helped the economy by trading grain and woven cloth for wood, gold, silver, precious gems and livestock.

The Assyrian Empire The Assyrians After the Babylonians fell apart, a number of groups controlled what had been Babylonia, until the warlike people of the Assyrian empire took over the Mesopotamian region uniting them again.

The Assyrian Empire The Assyrians were known for their military might and their cruelty. Their greatest achievements were new weapons and war strategies. They used war techniques such as siege techniques, Battering Rams, and Moveable towers. Assyrian Weapons

The Assyrian Empire The Assyrians also used Chariots in warfare

Life under Assyrian Rule The Assyrians believed that their kings were special beings and to honor them they built “The great Palace” in the capital city of Nineveh.

The Neo Babylonian Empire Eventually, Nineveh fell and the Babylonians once again took over the Mesopotamia area. Their new empire was known a Neo-Babylonia. The empire’s new famous King was Nebuchadnezzar, who was a ruthless king. King Nebuchadnezzar

The Neo Babylonian Empire Nebuchadnezzar conquered the land of the Israelites took many of them captive back to Babylon after they tried to rebel. Nebuchadnezzar built two walls, some towers, bridges, and a moat around his capital to protect his city from attacks. The Ishtar Gate

Life in the Neo Babylonian Empire Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt the city of Babylon and built the Hanging gardens of Babylon along the rooftops and terraces high on the royal palace. The Neo Babylonian empire only lasted 75 years because controlling such a large areas was very challenging. Hanging Garden of Babylon

The Persian Empire The Persians conquered Mesopotamia and controlled it for 200 years. Their first King was Cyrus the Great. He took the title “King of Kings” Cyrus the Great

The Persian Empire The Persian Empire was the world’s biggest Empire up until that time.