1. The First Empires
Chapter 3 Lesson 5

2. Objectives Describe how the first empires developed.
Explain the significance of the Code of Hammurabi.
Describe the accomplishments of the first empires.

3. Vocabulary Conquer - to take over
Empire – vast lands and varied people under the control of a single government
Emperor – the leader of an empire
Standing Army – a permanent army
Tribute – a required payment from one ruler to a more powerful ruler
Code of Hammurabi – the collection of laws that Hammurabi organized for the people of Babylon to follow

4. The Akkadian Empire
In about 2350 BC a leader named Sargon led his army to conquer the Sumerian city-states
Sargon began the first empire called the Akkadian Empire

5. Hammurabi and the Babylonian Empire
Hammurabi, king of Babylon, ruled the Babylonian Empire, which included most of Mesopotamia
He compiled a set of laws known as the Code of Hammurabi

6. Kassite and Assyrian Rule
After the fall of the Babylonian Empire, the Hittites raided the region, and then the Kassites conquered it
Later, the Assyrians conquered Mesopotamia, creating the largest empire in the world at the time

8. Summary
Competition for resources gave rise to early empires in Mesopotamia
Sargon built the regions first empire, the Akkadian Empire.
The Babylonian Empire grew under Hammurabi, who is remembered for his code of laws.
Over time, the Kassites and the Assyrians also built empires in the region