Invaders, Traders and Empire Builders Ancient Middle East Invaders, Traders and Empire Builders

Wars and conquer About 2300 B.C. – Sargon Built first empire After his death, Sumerian city-states revived 1790 B.C. Hammurabi – Babylon Set of laws – Hammurabi’s Code First to codify – arrange and set down in writing – all the laws that would govern a state Civil law – dealt with private rights and matters, such as business contracts, property inheritance, taxes, marriage, and divorce Orderly household was necessary for stable empire

Eye for an eye Criminal law – dealt with offenses against others, such as robbery, assault, or murder Poor construction of a house, and owner died leads to death of builder Steal, leads to cut off arm Other improvements: System of irrigation improvement Organized a well-trained army Ordered many temples to be repaired

Hit It Hittites–1400B.C.–from Asia Minor Ability to extract iron from ore Sharper/better tools and weapons Knowledge eventually spread after their collapse in 1200 B.C. Iron workers migrated to Asia, Africa, and Europe, leading to the Iron Age

Assyrians Upper Tigris–1350B.C.– expanded into Mesopotamia around 1100 B.C. Also developed iron weapons Reputation as great warriors Encouraged a well ordered society

Babylon’s back Nebuchadnezzar – about 600 B.C.   Empire grew from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea   Rebuilt canals, temples, walls, and palaces   Surrounded Babylon with moat and walls   Hanging Gardens for his wife

Time to read and analyze Hammurabi’s Code….. Primary source Pair up – Time to read and analyze Hammurabi’s Code…..

You be the judge In your pair – you will be creating new laws! Must be 4 laws – Do not ask to create more! If no law is created, citizens are allowed to do it. I.e. - If there is no law against chewing gum, they can chew gum as much as they want Be as specific as possible Make sure you have a reason for these laws