2 2 The Conquest of Sumer The Akkadian

2. 2 The Conquest of Sumer • The Akkadian people also lived in Mesopotamia, to the northwest of Sumer. In the 2300 s BCE, an Akkadian king named Sargon the Great became the king of Kish, a Sumerian city-state. In time, Sargon conquered many other Mesopotamian city-states. He united them under his rule to create the world’s first empire. • The Akkadians had their own language and customs. But they did share some cultural traits with the Sumerians. For example, the Akkadians and Sumerians had similar religious practices, and both societies used the cuneiform system of writing. • Once Sargon died, his empire broke apart. The next ruler to unite citystates under one empire was Ur-Nammu, who set up the first known law code in Ur. However, this rule was also temporary. Once again, the Sumerian city-states fought over power.

The Babylonian Empire • Around 1792 BCE, a man named Hammurabi became king of a Sumerian city called Babylon. Over 30 years, he built up his power. Then, he set out to conquer other Mesopotamian city-states. Within a few years he had united southern Mesopotamia into what we now call the Old Babylonian Empire. • Hammurabi created a strong government to hold his empire together. He sent his own governors, tax collectors, and judges to distant cities within the empire. He was the first ruler to try to unite an empire under one written set of law, known today as Hammurabi’s Code. It established the rule of law, or the idea that all members of a society must obey the law. This idea is a key part of modern democratic principles. • From Hammurabi's code, we know a lot about life in ancient Mesopotamia. For example, we know that most people were farmers, and life revolved around agriculture. In the cities, people used new technology to make tools, weapons, and other goods. Artists also made jewelry and sculptures. Trade took place all throughout the empire—and with other lands.