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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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