1. Chapter 3: Section 2 The First Empires
In time, strong rulers conquered the whole region, creating the first empires
A state containing several countries or territories
The Conquest of Sumer
Years of frequent fighting made Sumerian city-states grow weaker
Conflict in Sumer
An ally is an independent state that works with other states to achieve a shared military or political goal
2450 BCE Umma and Lagash met in a major battle
Umma defeated Lagash and several other Sumerian city-states
Sargon builds an Empire
Akkadian people lived to the northwest of Sumer
Spoke a different language and had different customs
Akkadian King Sargon became king of Sumerian city-state of Kish
Akkadian’s army conquered other Mesopotamian city-states
Created world’s first empire: the Akkadian empire

2. The Akkadian Empire Ends
Akkadian Culture
A cultural trait is an idea or way of doing things that is common in a certain culture
Akkadians and Sumerians had similar religious practices and used cuneiform writing
The Akkadian Empire Ends
Sargon appointed local rulers and controlled empire for more than 50 years
Sargon died in 2279 BCE
Growing number of rebellions and invasions
Within 100 years, the empire collapsed
Warriors from the Zagros Mountains (east of Tigris river) tool control
Around 2100 BCE, Sumer was united by Ur-Nammu- the ruler of Ur
Issued world’s first law code
Prospered for 100 years
Rebels from the east destroyed Ur

3. The Amorites took control of Babylon The Empire Forms
The Babylonian Empire
The Amorites took control of Babylon
The Empire Forms
Hammurabi became king of Babylon in 1792 BC
United southern Mesopotamia
Excellent military leader and skilled ruler
Created strong government, built many public buildings, and encouraged trade
Hammurabi’s Code
A set of nearly 300 laws that governed life in the Babylonian empire
An eye for an eye
Laws treated various groups of people differently
Penalty for harming someone of higher rank was greater
More detailed than Ur-Nammu law code
Established and enforced rule of law- the idea that all members of a society must obey the law.

4. Daily Life in Babylonia
Revolved around agriculture
In cities- sold tools, weapons, pottery, perfumes, and medicines
Beautiful stone and bronze sculptures
Jewelry from gold and precious stones
Legacy of Sumer
Babylonian empire collapsed in 1750 BCE
Sumerian advances in technology, farming, writing, learning, and law lived on

5. Section 2 Quiz
A state containing several countries or territories is called
city-state
empire
region
ally
Sargon created the world’s first empire by conquering
Hammurabi’s empire
Babylonian territory
Zagros warriors
Mesopotamian city-states
The laws that Hammurabi issued are called Hammurabi’s
Code
Demands
Justice
Laws
Who was responsible for making Babylon the center of Mesopotamian empire?
The king of Umma
Sargon
Hammurabi
Ur-Nammu
The Akkadians’ and Sumerians’ use of the cuneiform system of writing is an example of a shared
Rule of law
Cultural trait
government
language