Unit 4 Empires History 9 Sayre School PDF

Unit 4 The Southwest Asian Web: Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley 3500 BCE to 200 BCE History 9 | Dr. Foster | Sayre School  What Is An Empire? Definition 1 At its most basic, an empire is: a complex political organization whe...

Unit 4 The Southwest Asian Web: Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley 3500 BCE to 200 BCE History 9 | Dr. Foster | Sayre School  What Is An Empire? Definition 1 At its most basic, an empire is: a complex political organization where a dominant central state controls weaker peripheral (outer) states.  What Is An Empire? Definition 2 Group of states or ethnic groups governed by a single sovereign power with varying degrees of centralization using a range of methods, including common language, shared religious beliefs, trade, political systems, and military might. Empires of Mesopotamia After 2340 BCE  Akkadian Empire (2334-2154 BCE)  Recall Mesopotamia Mesopotamia is FULL of city-states settled by 3000 BCE because of the Fertile Crescent. Surrounded by Tigris and Euphrates.  The Akkadian Empire 2334 BCE: The Akkadian Empire grows when Sargon of Akkad launches attacks from Akkad (dominant center) on the other city-states along the Euphrates (weaker periphery).  The Akkadian Empire 2334 BCE: The Akkadian Empire grows when Sargon of Akkad launches attacks from Akkad (dominant center) on the other city-states along the Euphrates (weaker periphery). Sargon (meaning “True King”) becomes the world’s first emperor. Reigned for about 56 years.  How did Sargon control the weaker periphery? The World’s First Permanent Army  How did Sargon control the weaker periphery? The World’s First Permanent Army Used Akkadian governors to rule the periphery (in Sumeria)  How did Sargon control the weaker periphery? The World’s First Permanent Army Used Akkadian governors to rule the periphery (in Sumeria) Made Akkadian the official language in Mesopotamia  How did Sargon control the weaker periphery? The World’s First Permanent Army Used Akkadian governors to rule the periphery (in Sumeria) Made Akkadian the official language in Mesopotamia Collected taxes to pay soldiers + scribes to celebrate his good deeds. Used trade to extend his power.  How did Sargon control the weaker periphery? The World’s First Permanent Army Used Akkadian governors to rule the periphery (in Sumeria) Made Akkadian the official language in Mesopotamia Collected taxes to pay soldiers + scribes to celebrate his good deeds. Used trade to extend his power. Created a family dynasty  Why Did It Decline? Internal Struggles: revolts from periphery + inability dominant central state to maintain order  Why Did It Decline? Internal Struggles: revolts from periphery + inability dominant central state to maintain order External Threats: Frequent attacks and invasions from surrounding groups (Gutians, Elamites, Amorites)  Why Did It Decline? Internal Struggles: revolts from periphery + inability dominant central state to maintain order External Threats: Frequent attacks and invasions from surrounding groups (Gutians, Elamites, Amorites) Climate Change: Famine, draught, and trade disruptions, disrupting the empire  Babylonian Empire (1894–539 BCE)  Babylonian Empire Founded around 1894 BCE Main King: Hammurabi (1792-1750 BCE) Collapsed because it couldn’t control the northern periphery. But….it gave us our first set of laws.  Babylonian Empire Hammurabi’s Code - First written legal code with 282 laws - Inscribed in cuneiform - Famous for “an eye for an eye” - Addressed justice, trade, contracts, and punishment - Influenced future legal systems (Rome & even our own legal system today!) Assyrian Empire (911-609 BCE) **CONSULT YOUR SLIDES ON ASSYRIAN EMPIRE**