Hammurabi's Reign
In what year did Hammurabi become the king of Babylon?
1792 B.C.
Which tribe invaded western Mesopotamia around 2000 B.C. and established Babylon?
The Amorites.
What is Hammurabi best remembered for?
His Code of Laws.
Name one of the large projects Hammurabi worked on during the first 29 years of his rule.
Creating straight streets, building strong city walls, constructing magnificent temples, or efficient irrigation canals.
Hammurabi was the ruler of which empire?
Babylonian Empire.
What was the capital of Hammurabi’s empire?
Babylon.
Why did Hammurabi create the Code of Laws?
To unify his empire and bring justice to everyday life.
What infrastructure project did Hammurabi develop to support agriculture?
Irrigation canals.
How long did Hammurabi spend working on domestic improvements at the start of his rule?
29 years.
What was one of the factors that allowed Hammurabi to expand his empire?
: He built alliances with neighboring powers.
How did the Code of Laws vary based on social class?
Landowners could be fined more heavily than slaves.
Why were Hammurabi’s domestic improvements important for Babylon?
They improved urban life, defense, and agriculture, strengthening the empire.
What title did Hammurabi earn after conquering all of Mesopotamia?
"King of Sumer and Akkad."
What area did Hammurabi’s empire cover after his conquests?
Mesopotamia and other parts of the Fertile Crescent.
What kinds of laws did Hammurabi include in his code to emphasize agriculture and trade?
Detailed laws about farming and the buying and selling of goods.
What role did temples play in Hammurabi’s domestic projects?
They were magnificent structures that reinforced Babylon’s cultural and religious importance.
What helped Hammurabi conquer all of Mesopotamia in eight years?
He skillfully built a network of alliances.
Which empire did the Amorites overthrow to establish Babylon?
Sargon’s Akkadian Empire.
What modern legal principle was used in Hammurabi’s court system?
The assumption that a defendant was innocent until proven guilty
: What was the purpose of Hammurabi’s city walls?
To protect the city and ensure its defense from invaders.