Kingdoms and Empires of the Fertile Crescent: Sargon and Hammurabi

A Semitic ruler known as Sargon the Great conquered the entire area Prior to Sargon, the land between the rivers was controlled locally by kings and royal families. Sargon was the first ruler to organize and unite the city-states of Sumer and Mesopotamia under the Akkadian Empire.

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

Sargon became their ruler around 2334 BCE. Cylinder seal – Sargon’s brother Sargon The Akkadians, a Semitic people, lived in the southern region of Mesopotamia. Sargon became their ruler around 2334 BCE. Stories vary as to how he came to power; some believe he organized the military to overthrow his king, while others believe power was passed down to him.

Sargon’s empire marked the beginning of a new form of government. Cities were organized into the world’s first empire. Sargon created a bureaucracy with a standard set of rules and procedures. Sargon used ideas from cities he conquered. Sargon I and Sargon II

An Akkadian using composite bow Sargon’s Military Technology An Akkadian using composite bow Prisoners of war Sargon introduced two new forms of military technology to the battlefield. They were key to his success. The first was the composite bow made from strips of wood and horn. It was capable of firing arrows further and faster than conventional wooden bows.

Sargon also introduced the phalanx structure of military combat Sargon also introduced the phalanx structure of military combat. The phalanx was made by arranging the soldiers into equally-spaced rows of men with overlapping shields and leveled spears. The phalanx easily defeated unorganized armies. Soldiers protected each other by forming a human wall of spears and shields. Most other armies at the time had no discipline or formation.

Naram-Sin, grandson of Sargon, using the composite bow. Chariots were also important in Sargon’s campaigns.

Sargon put Mesopotamia under a single government. The Empire of Sargon Sargon put Mesopotamia under a single government. Akkadian became the official language of Mesopotamia. By using one language the Akkadians had better communication and organization. Akkadian soldiers However, after 200 years the Akkadian Empire grew weak. Cities in Mesopotamia revolted for their freedom.

The Babylonian Empires

Babylonian Math

Babylonian Math and Time We continue to use this system today. Babylonians used math primarily for measuring and counting things such as the length and width of a canal and the weight and volume of grain. Babylonians used a system of counting based on the number 60. This included their calculation of time and degrees within a circle. Babylonians used a 24-hour day, a 60-minute hour, 60-second minute, and 60 degrees in a circle. We continue to use this system today.

Babylonian Numbers

Hammurabi, an Amorite or Old Babylonian, reigned from 1792-1750 BCE. The Amorites, a Semitic people, lived west of the Euphrates River. Hammurabi based his empire in Babylon; during his reign he conquered Sumer and Akkad and unified Mesopotamia by 1760 BCE.

Hammurabi [r. 1792-1750 B. C. E.]

Background: Hammurabi Reigned from 1792-1750 BCE Hammurabi was the son of a king and succeeded his father to the throne in a great Mesopotamian city called Babylon. Hammurabi was a powerful king and conquered cities to the north and south setting up an empire. Empire: a group of many different lands under one ruler Hammurabi is best known for his code of laws. Although his laws were CRUEL they marked an important step toward a fair system of justice.

Hammurabi’s Code

Hammurabi, the Judge

Prologue to the Code of Hammurabi When Anu the Sublime, King of the Anunaki, and Bel, the lord of heaven and earth, who decreed the fate of the land, assigned to Marduk, the over-ruling son of Ea, God of righteousness, dominion over earthly man, and made him great among the Igigi, they called Babylon by his illustrious name, made it great on earth, and founded an everlasting kingdom in it, whose foundations are laid so solidly as those of heaven and earth; then Anu and Bel called by name me, Hammurabi, the exalted prince, who feared God, to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak; … and enlighten the land, to further the well-being of mankind. The Constitution of the United States of America We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Hammurabi's code was based on several principles. Equality before the law did not exist: there were milder penalties for members of the aristocracy than for commoners and slaves. When criminal and victim were social equals, the punishment was equal to the crime. Individuals represented themselves, fair trials were guaranteed, and judges could not change a verdict.

Hammurabi’s Code The law provided protection for the consumer. The code contains many laws about farming, irrigation, crops, and animals.

Hammurabi’s Code Marriage was a business arrangement between the groom-to-be and his future father-in-law. Husbands had absolute power; he could sell his wife and children into slavery, but wills and legal documents tell us that family life was happy and women engaged in business.

What should be done to the carpenter who builds a house that falls and kills the owner? If a builder builds a house for a man and does not make its construction sound, and the house which he has built collapses and causes the death of the owner of the house, the builder shall be put to death.

What happens if a man is unable to pay his debts? If a man be in debt and is unable to pay his creditors, he shall sell his wife, son, or daughter, or bind them over to service. For three years they shall work in the houses of their purchaser or master; in the fourth year they shall be given their freedom.

What should be done about a wife who ignores her duties and belittles her husband? If the woman has not been careful but has gadded about, neglecting her house and belittling her husband, they shall throw that woman into the water.

What should be done if a son is adopted and then the birth-parents want him back? If a man takes in his own home a young boy as a son and rears him, one may not bring claim for that adopted son.

What should happen to a boy who slaps his father? If a son strikes his father, they shall cut off his hand.

How is the truth determined when one man brings an accusation against another? if any one bring an accusation against a man, and the accused go to the river and leap into the river, if he sink in the river his accuser shall take possession of his house. But if the river prove that the accused is not guilty, and he escape unhurt, then he who had brought the accusation shall be put to death, while he who leaped into the river shall take possession of the house that had belonged to his accuser.