The First Empires

Chapter 3, Section 2

Key Terms

Empire

Ally

Cultural trait

Hammurabis code

Rule of law

The Conquest of
Sumer
Conflict in Sumer

The fighting between

the city-states of Umma
and Lagash is one
example of the
widespread conflict in
Sumer.

Around 2450 B.C.,

armies from Umma and
Lagash met in a major
battle.

Soldiers used bronze

axes and longs spears
with sharp metal
points.

Lagash won the

battle

Lagash soldiers burned

and looted the city of
Umma.

They captured
prisoners from Umma
and sold them as
slaves.

However, in the year

2375 B.C., a powerful
King of Umma defeated
Lagash and several
other Sumerian citystates.

The Conquest of Sumer

What led to conflict between Umma and Lagash?

What was the result of the battle between Umma

and Lagash?

The Conquest of Sumer

What led to conflict between Umma and Lagash?

They fought to control fertile land on their shared

border.

What was the result of the battle between Umma

and Lagash?

Umma was defeated and thousands of soldiers were

killed.

Sargon Builds an Empire

The Akkadian people lived to the northwest of

Sumer, but they were not related to the Sumerians.

The Akkadians spoke a different language and had

different customs.

An Akkadian man named Sargon became King of the

city-state of Kish. He changed the official language
to Akkadian.

Sargons Empire

Sargon united much of Mesopotamia under his rule,

creating the worlds first empire: The Akkadian
empire.

Sumerians & Akkadians

Sumerians and Akkadians shared some cultural

traits:

1. They both shared the same religious practices.

2. They both used the cuneiform systems of writing.

The Akkadian Empire ends

Sargon appointed local rulers to control his empire.

Each ruler served as King of the land he oversaw. He
was able to control the Akkadian Empire for more
than 50 years.

Sargon died in 2279 B.C.

The empire collapsed within 100 years of his death

due to a growing number of rebellions and
invasions.

Sumer after Sargons death

Ur-Nammu, the ruler of Ur, united Sumer in the year

2100 B.C.

Ur was eventually destroyed by rebels from the east

and this ended Urs control of the Sumerian citystates.

BABYLONIAN EMPIRE

The Babylonian Empire

After the destruction of Ur, many groups invaded

Sumer.

The Amorites came from the northern Mesopotamia.

The Amorites took control of several city-states,

including Babylon.

At that time, Babylon was a small unimportant city,

however, under king Hammurabi, Babylon became
the center of a new Mesopotamian empire.

Babylonian empire

Around 1792 B.C., Hammurabi became king of

Babylon.

It took 30 years to solidify his power and to build up

his army.

Hammurabi was an excellent military leader, and he

was also a great leader.

He sent his own governors, tax collectors, and

judges to distant cities.

Babylonian empire

Hammurabi sent well-trained troops over the

empire.

Hammurabi oversaw a number of projects and

encouraged the growth of trade in Babylon.

Check your knowledge

What helped cause the end of Sargons empire?

Who united Sumer after Sargon?

Which group came form northern Mesopotamia to

take over some Sumerian cities?

Who led Babylon to become a powerful empire?

Check your knowledge

What helped cause the end of Sargons empire?

Rebellions and invasions.

Who united Sumer after Sargon?

King Ur-Nammu united Sumer

Which group came form northern Mesopotamia to

take over some Sumerian cities?

The Amorites

Who led Babylon to become a powerful empire?

Hammurabi

Hammurabis Code

Hammurabis Code was a set of laws that governed

life in the Babylonian empire.

Hammurabis Code include nearly 300 laws.

Some of these laws have to do with crimes such as

robbery and murder.

If a man puts out the eye of another man, his eye

shall be put out.

Hammurabi receiving the code

from the god of the sun and
justice

Hammurabis Code

If any one is committing a robbery and is caught,

then he shall be put to death.

If he breaks another mans arm, his bone shall be

broken.

If a builder builds a house for some one, and does

not construct it properly, and the house which he
built fall in and kill its owner, then the builder shall
be put to death.

Hammurabis Code

Hammurabis Code was more detailed than the UrNammu law code.

It was the first major attempt to organize and write

down all the laws that governed a society.

It established and enforced the rule of law.

This is key part of modern democratic principles.

Daily life in Babylonia

Daily life in Babylonia

Most peoples lives revolved around agriculture.

They used new technologies to make tools,

weapons, pottery, perfumes, and medicines.

Babylonian artists were known for their stone and

bronze sculptures. They also used gold and precious
stones to make jewelry.

Check your knowledge

What is the Old Babylonian empire also called?

Do you think the Babylonians found Hammurabis

laws shocking or unusually cruel? Why? Why not?

How important is it to have rule of law?

Do you respect the laws?

Do other people respect the laws?

Is it important to respect the laws? Why? Why not?

Do you believe that a society should have strict laws

so that people obey them?

Check your knowledge

What is an ally?

Does Mexico have any allies?

Why might a nation become an ally with another

nation?

What is an example of a cultural trait that Mexico

shares with Argentina?