1.  We will be learning about how two Empires that fell in the Mesopotamian region. You are to make a list of things you think might have caused these empires to fall.

3. Fold your paper in half vertically. Label the left side “My Notes” Label the right side “Your Notes”

4.  The Assyrians lived in Mesopotamia  The Assyrian Army was very strong. They were equipped with steel weapons (They borrowed this idea from the Hittites), foot soldiers, chariot riders and horseback soldiers.  They began taking over the rest of Mesopotamia.

6. The Assyrian Empire continued to spread and by 650BC it spread from the Persian Gulf to the Tigris River. The capital was Nineveh. The Empire was divided into districts or provinces. Each Provinces had to pay taxes and officials kept rule. Roads were built to connect the empire.

8.  Writing and gods were based on Babylonian’s tradition.  People who didn’t follow the law received very harsh punishments.  Built many great structures and produced a lot of literature.  One of the first libraries was in Nineveh.  Because of harsh treatment people began to rebel.  The Assyrian Empire fell to the Chaldeans in 612 BC.

10.  The leader- King Nebuchadnezzar  Most of the people were decedents of the Babylonians.  Rebuilt the city of Babylon. -Worlds largest and richest city. -It was filled with beautiful buildings and temples called ziggurats.

11.  The Kings palace had a beautiful garden known as the hanging gardens.  Contained a marketplace where people use to trade.  Caravans or groups of traveling merchants sold their goods at the market place.

12.  The Chaldeans had astronomers- people who studied the heavens.  They made one of the first working sundials and were the first to have a 7 day work week.

14.  The Chaldeans found it hard to control their people as time went by.  In 539 BC they were conquered by the Persians.  Mesopotamia became part of the Persian Empire.

15. Go back to you list you made earlier. Were any of your predictions true? Which ones? Write in complete sentences why these two empires fell.