Chapter 4 Study Smart - Mesopotamian Empires PDF

## LESSON 2 SUMMARY ### Mesopotamian Empires **SS.6.G.1.7, SS.6.G.2.1, SS.6.G.6.2, SS.6.W.1.1, SS.6.W.2.8** ### The First Empires * Around 2400 B.C., Sumer's city-states were weakened by conflict. * Powerful kingdoms in northern Mesopotamia and nearby Syria invaded Sumer for more land. * Until...

## LESSON 2 SUMMARY ### Mesopotamian Empires **SS.6.G.1.7, SS.6.G.2.1, SS.6.G.6.2, SS.6.W.1.1, SS.6.W.2.8** ### The First Empires * Around 2400 B.C., Sumer's city-states were weakened by conflict. * Powerful kingdoms in northern Mesopotamia and nearby Syria invaded Sumer for more land. * Until then, city-states had no government structure above their own leaders. ### Who Was Sargon? * An ambitious ruler named Sargon ruled Akkad, a northern Mesopotamia kingdom. * Around 2340 B.C., he forcibly took over the southern Sumerian city-states, one by one, to form the world's first empire. * For the first time, a collection of city-states was under the control of one king. * Sargon's invasions mixed the cultures of Akkad and Sumer. * People spoke the Akkadian language but still wrote in Sumerian cuneiform and worshipped Sumerian gods. * Sargon continued to extend his kingdom to include all of Mesopotamia. * His empire ruled for 200 years until it was conquered by invaders. ### Who Was Hammurabi? * During the 1800s B.C., Amorites - a group who lived west of Mesoptamia - conquered Mesopotamia and built cities along the western regions. * The city of Babylon was built on the eastern banks of the Euphrates River in what is now Iraq. * Around 1792 B.C., the Babylonian king Hammurabi created the Babylonian Empire by conquering Amorite cities in the north and south. * The empire stretched from the Persian Gulf through the Tigris-Euphrates valley and west to the Mediterranean Sea. ### Hammurabi's Code * Hammurabi was considered a fair ruler. * He created and posted a set of laws for all to read. * The Code of Hammurabi protected the less powerful. * There were laws that involved farming, business, marriage, and family matters. * The laws clearly described the punishments for each crime. * Although stricter than old Sumerian laws, the punishments were designed to fit the crime. * Hammurabi's code is where the expression "an eye for an eye" comes from. * Later, Hammurabi's code influenced law codes in Greek and Roman government. ### 1. USING DEFINITIONS ACCURATELY * **village:** A small, typically rural community. * **kingdom:** A country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen. * **city-state:** An independent city that functions as a sovereign state. * **empire:** A group of states or territories controlled by a single ruler. ### How do each of these words differ? * A **village** is a very small community, while a **kingdom** is a much larger area ruled by a single leader. * A **city-state** is an independent city that rules itself, whereas an **empire** is a group of states or territories that are all ruled by one leader. ### LESSON 2 SUMMARY, continued ### 2. MAKING INFERENCES * Why do you think Hammurabi was considered a fair ruler? * Cite evidence from the text in your answer. Hammurabi was considered a fair ruler because he created a code of laws that protected the less powerful, was clear about the punishments for crimes, and was designed to fit the crime. This shows that Hammurabi cared about justice and fairness, suggesting his rule was fair. ### 3. READING A MAP * Based on the description of the Babylonian Empire, draw what might have been the extent of the Babylonian Empire over the map of the Assyrian Empire. * Which empire was bigger? * Circle the correct answer. **Babylonian Empire** **Assyrian Empire** The Assyrian Empire was bigger than the Babylonian Empire. ### The Assyrian Empire * Around 900 B.C., the Assyrian Empire covered the lands in present-day Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq. * Their army defended their lands and took over the rest of Mesopotamia. * Eventually, the Assyrian Empire grew from the Persian Gulf in the east to the Nile River in the west. * Nineveh, located along the Tigris River, became the capital. ### The Assyrian Army * The Assyrians learned how to make iron from the Hittite people of the north. * They used the iron to make weapons. * They fought with slingshots, bows and arrows, swords, and spears. * These weapons were stronger than their rivals' weapons, which were made of copper or tin. * The Assyrian army had about 50,000 disciplined troops trained as infantry, cavalry, and charioteers. * They were known for taking tribute, or forced payments from their enemies. * They also set fires, destroyed dams, and drove people from their homes. * Their brutal methods caused many to surrender without fighting. ### Kings and Government * In the ancient world, kings maintained control over large empires by dividing them into provinces, or political districts. * Chosen officials carried out the laws and collected taxes. * There were stations along the roads built between provinces. * Each station was guarded by soldiers. * The stations offered a resting place for government messengers and protection for traders. ### LESSON 2 SUMMARY, continued ### Government Control * The Assyrian government maintained strict control over their empire. ### Life in Assyria * Historians discovered an ancient library built in Nineveh by Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. * The library collected stories from the Assyrian Empire. * But the library also included a collection of Sumerian and Babylonian texts. * This showed historians that Assyrian culture borrowed from other Mesopotamian cultures. * For example, Assyrian law codes were similar to Hammurabi's code, but with harsher punishments. * Their written language was based on Babylonian writing, and they worshipped the same gods as the Babylonians. * Farming and trade were also very important to the Assyrians. * They brought in wood from faraway places for building and metal for making tools and weapons. ### 4. INTERPRETING * Locate a present-day map of the Middle East and compare it to a map of the ancient Assyrian Empire. * What political boundaries exist today over the lands that once belonged to the Assyrian people? Today, the lands that once belonged to the Assyrian Empire are divided between several modern-day countries, including: Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait. ### The Chaldean Empire, 605 B.C. ### 5. RECOGNIZING RELATIONSHIPS * Why did the Assyrians borrow from other cultures in the creation and development of their empire? * Give at least two reasons. The Assyrians borrowed from other cultures for two main reasons: 1. **Practicality:** Borrowing existing systems like law codes or written language enabled them to establish control and administration efficiently. 2. **Cultural Influence:** Adopting elements like religious practices, art, and architecture from conquered cultures made it easier to integrate their subjects and maintain control. ### LESSON 2 SUMMARY, continued ### 6. IDENTIFYING * Identify four ways the Assyrian government maintained control of their empire. * Write your answers in the circles in the chart. 1. **Strict Laws:** The Assyrians enforced harsh punishments to deter rebellion and maintain order. 2. **Centralized Power:** They maintained a strong government that controlled all aspects of life and enforced their will across the empire. 3. **Military Expansion:** A large and powerful army was used to conquer new territories and suppress any opposition. 4. **Cultural Influence:** The Assyrians adopted elements of conquered cultures to integrate their subjects and maintain control. ### 7. SPECULATING * Compare the area of the Assyrian Empire to the area of the Chaldean Empire. * What do you think happened to the land not claimed by the Chaldean Empire during their reign? The Chaldean Empire was significantly smaller than the Assyrian Empire. It's likely that after the Assyrian Empire's collapse, other groups like the Persians, Medes, or smaller kingdoms took control of the lands not claimed by the Chaldean Empire. ### 8. DIFFERENTIATING * Describe how the Chaldean Empire under Nebuchadnezzar was different from the empires of Mesopotamia that came before. * Use examples from what you read. The Chaldean Empire under Nebuchadnezzar was different from previous Mesopotamian Empires in several ways: 1. **Cultural Revival:** The Chaldeans, unlike previous rulers, embraced Babylonian culture and heritage, even rebuilding and restoring Babylon to its former glory. 2. **Grandiose Architecture:** They built large, magnificent structures like the Hanging Gardens and the impressive Ishtar Gate, demonstrating a focus on grandeur and luxury. 3. **Trade and Prosperity:** The Chaldeans promoted trade and commerce, which increased wealth and prosperity in Babylon. 4. **Astronomical Advancements:** They made significant contributions to astronomy, developing a refined system of observing and understanding the heavenly bodies. ### 9. PREDICTING * On a piece of paper, evaluate the Persians' decision to allow the Chaldeans to maintain their culture. * How might this decision affect Persian rule over the Chaldeans? The Persians' decision to allow the Chaldeans to maintain their culture could be interpreted as a shrewd strategy: * **Preventing Rebellion:** Allowing cultural autonomy could lessen tensions and resistance from the Chaldeans, preventing uprisings and unrest. * **Harnessing Skill:** The Chaldeans were known for their expertise in various fields, including astronomy, architecture, and craftsmanship. Maintaining their culture could help the Persians benefit from their skill and knowledge. * **Maintaining Stability:** Preserving existing cultural practices could help to maintain a sense of order and stability within the conquered territory. ### REVIEW LESSON 2 **We'll Do in Class** ### 1. Comparing and Contrasting * Use a separate sheet of paper to answer questions in the graphic organizer below about the three empires studied. * Find evidence in the text or use other sources. | Empire | When did it emerge? | Where was it located? | How did it rise to power? | What achievements are they best known for?| |:---|:---|:---|:---|:---| | Babylonian Empire | Around 2300 B.C. | Southern Mesopotamia | Through the conquest of Sumerian city-states by Sargon the Great. | The creation of the first empire in world history and the development of a complex legal code (Code of Hammurabi).| | Assyrian Empire | Around 900 B.C. | Northern Mesopotamia | By gradually conquering other Mesopotamian kingdoms and expanding their territory through military campaigns. | Their powerful military, advanced weaponry, and the use of terror tactics to control their empire. | | Chaldean Empire | Around 612 B.C. | Southern Mesopotamia | By allying with the Medes to conquer the Assyrian capital of Nineveh and establishing their own kingdom. | The rebuilding and embellishment of Babylon, the development of advanced astronomical knowledge, and the construction of grand architectural structures like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.| ### 2. ANALYZING INFORMATION * Write a brief essay discussing the similarities and differences between the three empires described in the chart. * Describe what it might have been like to live under each empire's rule and the advantages and disadvantages citizens of each empire might have experienced. The Babylonian, Assyrian, and Chaldean Empires, all located in Mesopotamia, shared a common heritage and borrowed from each other's cultural practices. They all developed advanced systems of governance, law, and infrastructure. However, their contrasting approaches to rule create a distinct portrait of these empires. The Babylonian Empire, under Hammurabi's leadership, prioritized order and justice. They built a strong legal framework and focused on social stability, but their punishments could be harsh, particularly for lower classes. Citizens might have enjoyed relative peace and security under Hammurabi's rule, but their lives were tightly regulated. The Assyrian Empire, renowned for its military might, adopted a brutal and ruthless approach to maintaining control. Their expansionist policies and fear-inducing tactics brought prosperity but also widespread suffering. Living under Assyrian rule could provide opportunities for those who benefited from their military victories, but those under the constant threat of conquest would face hardship and oppression. The Chaldean Empire, led by Nebuchadnezzar, embraced a grand vision of rebuilding Babylon and restoring its former glory. Citizens might have appreciated the opulent architecture, increased trade activity, and thriving cultural scene. But this prosperity came at a cost - high taxes and the potential for political instability as the empire struggled to maintain its control. In conclusion, each empire in Mesopotamia, despite sharing a geographical location and cultural influences, offered unique experiences for its citizens. While some empires provided a degree of order and security, others wielded power through fear and coercion. While some emphasized wealth and cultural advancement, others prioritized military strength and conquest. The contrasting experiences of the citizens under these empires reveal the diverse and fascinating dynamics of power and society in ancient Mesopotamia.