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Akkadian

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Empires of Mesopotamia

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Empire

  • An empire is a large territory where several groups of people are ruled by a single powerful leader or government.

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An empire is an area of land with different peoples and societies that are under the control of one ruler.

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The End of Sumer

  • The Sumerians developed an early civilization in Mesopotamia.
  • For 1,500 years, Sumer was a land of independent city-states.
  • Sumerian city-states never united.
  • Invaders began conquering Sumer city-states and by 1900 B.C., all Sumerian city-states had all been over-run by invaders.

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The Akkadians

  • Akkadians lived just above Sumer and were a totally different society of people who even spoke a different language.
  • For years, the Akkadians and Sumerians lived in peace until the year 2334 BC.

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The Akkadian Empire

  • The Akkadian Empire - is the world's first empire (2350 B.C.)
  • The Akkadians ruled the city-states of Mesopotamia.
  • Akkadian military invaded Mesopotamia and conquered the city states to from the first Empire.

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The Akkadian Empire

  • Sargon was the first ruler of the Akkadian Empire
  • Sargon was a strong king and a skilled general.
  • Sargon used his military skills to win territory for his empire.
  • Sargon unified the Akkadian people along with the people of Sumer.
  • Akkadian Empire lasted for 142 years before it collapsed

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The Akkadian Empire

  • 2300 B.C.E: King Sargon conquers Kish (Sumerian City)
      • Changed language
      • Akkadian Army conquered other city-states
      • Placed loyal Akkadians in government and religious positions
      • United Mesopotamia by placing cities under his rule
      • Sargon increased trade
      • Sargon appointed local rulers to control land
      • Sargon controlled Akkadian Empire for more than 50 years

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  • Sargon dies in 2279 B.C.E
  • The Empire didn’t last long as Sargon the Great’s sons were weak leaders.
  • Rebellions and invasions led the empire to collapse

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Fighting for Mesopotamia

  • Empires were created and destroyed in the Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia)
  • City-states fought for control over the rich territory
  • After years of struggle, a man named Hammurabi united the region
  • His empire was called the Babylonian Empire

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The Babylonian Eepire

  • Babylon was a small city-state on the Euphrates river (Present day Iraq)
  • In Babylon, King Hammurabi created the center of the Mesopotamian Empire
  • 1792 B.C.E: Hammurabi becomes king of Babylon

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The Babylonian Empire

  • Hammurabi built up his army and attacked other city-states
  • He sent his own tax collectors, judges, and governors to rule distant cities
  • Encouraged growth and trade

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Hammurabi’s Code

  • Set of laws that governed life in Babylonian Empire
  • Includes nearly 300 laws
  • Set up specific punishments for robbery and murder
  • Also dealt with contracts, marriage, and divorce