The New Dude
Define Hammurabi’s Code.
A set of laws that governed life in the Babylonian empire.
“If a man put out the eye of another man, his _______ shall be put out.”
“If a man put out the eye of another man, his EYE shall be put out.”
Were most people in Babylonia rich or poor?
Poor
Irrigation canals had to be kept clear of ______ .
Silt
Why did the city-states in Sumer fight each other?
Gain control over more resources
What was the main purpose of Hammurabi’s Code? .
To make sure everyone in Babylon knew the laws they were expected to live by.
How many laws were in Hammurabi's Code?
Nearly 300
Define the rule of law.
The idea that all members of a society must obey the law.
How did Sargon and Hammurabi keep control of large empires?
Appointed local rulers who governed each region.
Why do you think Umma and Lagash fought over the same region of land? What was so great about it?
It was a fertile region!
Describe how Hammurabi helped keep the Old Babylonian empire united.
Sent his own governors, tax collectors, and judges to rule distant cities. Spread out troops over the empire. Oversaw a number of public building projects. Encouraged the growth of trade with other lands. Created a government.
What was so unfair about Hammurabi’s Code?
The laws treated various groups of people differently.
How did Hammurabi’s Code help historians?
Gave them a great deal of information about life in Babylonia.
How did Sumer’s influence stay alive?
People adopted ideas and customs from the Sumerian civilization.
Who took control of the Akkadian region?
Warriors from the Zagros Mountains
What or who changed Babylon from a small, unimportant city to the center of a new Mesopotamian empire?
King Hammurabi.
How did Hammurabi’s Code and its harsh punishments help his empire?
Encouraged social order.
Name ONE reason why Hammurabi’s Code was better than Ur-Nammu’s law code?
More detailed. First major attempt to organize and write down all the laws that governed a society.
How did Sargon create Mesopotamia’s first empire?
Conquered Mesopotamian city-states and united them under his rule.
Explain how Sargon was able to control such a large empire.
He appointed local rulers.
How did Hammurabi unite southern Mesopotamia?
He solidified his power and built up his army, and he launched a series of attacks against other Mesopotamian city-states.
What are some of the private matters that Hammurabi’s Code dealt with?
Business contracts, taxes, marriage, and divorce.
Why did Babylonia eventually collapse?
Hammurabi died
What Sumerian cultural traits did Akkadians share?
Religious practices and cuneiform (system writing)
What are TWO things that the Fertile Crescent lacks?
Trees & minerals