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CH 4: Mesopotamia Lesson 2
World History
Mr. Rich
Miami Arts Charter
Sections: } Lesson 1I: Mesopotamian Empires
Lesson 2: Mesopotamian Empires } The First Empire:
} Sargon } Ruled the kingdom
of Akkad
} Conquered the city-states of Sumer one at a time (2340 B.C.)
} Built an empire that lasted 200 years
Lesson 2: Mesopotamian Empires
} The First Empires } Hammurabi
} King of Babylon } Conquered most of Mesopotamia
(1792 B.C.) } Established a law code
“An eye for an eye” } Harsh punishments were meant to
end blood feuds between families
How about a pie for a pie? Too easy?
Lesson 2: Mesopotamian Empires
} Assyrian Empire } Ashurbanipal conquered
Mesopotamia (900 B.C.) } Large army of professional
soldiers } Fierce reputation of
burning villages, burning crops and forcing tribute payments.
Lesson 2: Mesopotamian Empires
} Chaldean Empire } One group of conquered people didn’t
like being ruled by the Assyrians.
} In 650 B.C. the death of an Assyrian king lead to a civil war.
} During this war Nabopolassar leads the Chaldeans in a revolt against the Assyrians who had conquered them.
} They take the Assyrians by surprise and manage to destroy most of the Assyrian army.
Surprise!
Lesson 2: Mesopotamian Empires
} Chaldean Empire } They capture the Assyrian capital
of Nineveh. It was one of the largest cities in the world at that time. It was very rich and had massive libraries. It was a center of Assyrian art and culture.
} So the Chaldeans burned it to the ground!
“We didn’t start the fire…”
Actually…we did.
Lesson 2: Mesopotamian Empires
} Chaldean Empire } Babylon becomes the capital of a new
empire.
} Nebuchadnezzar becomes king after his father (Nabopolassar) dies.
} He builds the Hanging Gardens of Babylon - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
} He is often remembered for his attacks on the city of Jerusalem.
} His death leads to the decline of the “New Babylonian Empire”
Review Questions: answer in your notes 1. Who built the first empire?
2. Why did Hammurabi create laws with harsh punishments?
3. Why do you think the Chaldeans destroyed the Assyrian capital instead of ruling from it?
