1. Social Studies
Essential UNIT Question: How did geography influence the development of the Eastern hemisphere?

2. Social Studies Standards
Development of Early Civilizations: 2.2c, 2.4d

3. DO-NOW:
Place Homework # 19 in portfolio;
Update Table of Contents;

4. Focus Question:
How did Empires affect the geography of the Fertile Crescent? (Part 1)

5. The Rise of Powerful New Kingdoms
The City-State of Ashur in the north of Mesopotamian region emerged as a powerful kingdom;
They called themselves Assyrians after their God, Ashur;
Nineveh and Ashur were the most important cities of the kingdom;
Eventually, Assyria waged war with Babylon for control of the region.

6. Continued:
The City-State of Babylon in south of the Mesopotamian region emerged as a powerful rival to Assyria;
Hammurabi was their king; he built a beautiful capital city which contained the “Hanging Gardens”, one of the ancient wonders of the world!
He developed a code of laws called the “Code of Hamurabi”;
He ordered the building of dams which controlled the flow of the Euphrates River;
If he wanted the river to flood, it flooded; if he wanted a drought, there was a drought.
This made it seem like he was god-like to his people. He used this power to control his enemies as well.

7. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

8. The City Gates of Babylon

9. Code of Hammurabi

10. The Benefits of Empire
Empires united many kingdoms into one government that was ruled by an “iron-fisted” Emperor, who often made claims to being divine, or like God!
The conquerors introduced new technology, resources and culture to the conquered city-states;
A sense of common heritage (shared beliefs and common interests) developed;

11. The Detriments of Empire:
Empires often brought hardship and suffering to other city-states;
They conquered citizens felt like “second-class citizens,” that is, they were made to feel lower than others, which did not inspire them to contribute to the growth of the empire;
The conquered people had to compromise or give up their beliefs and customs for those of the empire.

12. Activity:

13. Homework #21:
Read pages in your textbook. Answer the Review and Assess questions on page 71.
Define the highlighted words in your glossary.

14. Today I Learned . . .