Babylonians and Assyrians

Empires Unlike the city-states of Sumer, Babylonia & Assyria were considered empires An Empire is an area of many territories and people that are controlled by one government or king. Babylonia & Assyria were the two largest and most important Mesopotamian civilizations.

Different Eras (year spans) Babylonian Empire about 1800 – 1600 B.C. Reached it’s height (its largest & most powerful point around 1750 B.C Capital called Babylon Assyrian Empire about 665-612 B.C. Began taking over land in 1300 B.C. height was at about 600 B.C. Capital called Nineveh

What did they have in common? Quest for riches Vicious warriors Built grand cities Culture & learning were highly valued

Hammurabi Strong King Created Bablyonian empire by uniting the cities of Sumer. Created a code that seemed equal (eye for an eye), but really wasn’t because of class and wealth (we’ll talk later)

Babylonian Wealth Location, Location, Location… It was at a crossroads of trade Caravans (groups of travelers) would stop there going north and south Trade in the bazaars (city markets) Bigger, harder, faster stronger… Wealth through conquest If you beat someone, you now own and control all of their goods & resources

Assyrians They were to the North of Babylonia Became skilled warriors (because they were always under attack) About 1350 B.C., they decided the best defense was a good offense; they began acquiring land. Eventually overtook the Babylonians

Assyrian – great warriors Invented the battering ram – a heavy weapon on wheels that could smash city walls to bits Archers were protected with helmets & armor Armed charioteers were feared & highly skilled

Assyrians – more than warriors Nineveh became a city of great learning Had a library that had thousands of clay tablets with writings from Sumer & Babylon (Babylon also had a large & famous library) We know about life in Mesopotamia because of the surviving tablets.

Assyrians overthrown The lands that the Assyrians conquered were not friendly to them, even though they were now in the Assyrian empire. Chaldeans rebelled in 612 B.C. and defeated the Assyrian Empire.

Nebuchadnezzar and the new Babylonian Empire King of the Chaldeans Rebuilt Babylon Became a center of learning and science “Hanging Gardens” of Bablyon Astronomy, 360 degree circle, 365 days in a year Cultivated wild bees Defeated in 539 B.C., but Babylon is spared