Chapter 2 Section 3 he Akkadian Empire Sargon

Chapter 2 Section 3

he Akkadian Empire • Sargon known as creator of first empire in history. • Empires change the way people live. • Encourage trade - makes more goods available. • Include people from several cultures. • Ideas, technology, and customs - shared by all. • Sargon ruled the Fertile Crescent.

The Babylonian Empire and Hammurabi • 1792 -1750 B. C. - Hammurabi ruled… • Developed a single code of law. • Displayed on a huge pillar in Babylon. • Identified acts of wrongdoing / punishments. • Laws applied to all people, not just a few.

Assyrians • Assyria reached its peak of power under Ashurbanipal from 668 to 627 B. C. • Conquered many lands including Syria, Babylonia, Egypt, Phoenicia, and Palestine. • Governed conquered lands by choosing a governor. • Governors sent tribute to the Assyrian emperor. • Army destroyed cities in land if tributes not paid. • People forced into exile - often to faraway places.

Assyria Crumbles • 609 B. C. - Assyrian Empire fell. • Medes and Chaldeans - defeated Assyrians. • Destroyed Nineveh (capital) - burnt it to the ground.

A New Babylonian Empire • Chaldean Empire reached its peak under Nebuchadnezzar II, II who ruled from 605 -562 B. C. • Rebuilt Babylon - made it the capital. • Constructed Hanging Gardens of Babylon!! • Sometimes Chaldeans called the New Babylonians.

Other Rulers • Weak rulers followed Nebuchadnezzar II. • Medes controlled Persians’ land. • Region bounded by mountain ranges: Zagros, Caucasus and Hindu Kush. • Modern-day Iran lies in this area. • Persians arrived in Media around 1000 B. C. • Created many tiny kingdoms - thrived through trade. • Kingdoms grew in power. • Began to threaten Medes’ control of the land.

Cruel

Cyrus Founds the Persian Empire • Cyrus conquered the lands around Persia and united land into one large empire. • Set up a policy of toleration. • Conquered peoples could worship own gods, speak own languages, and practice own ways of life. • Paid tribute. • Governing empire much easier. • Fewer revolts and people lived in peace.

Darius Expands the Empire • After Cyrus, Cambyses expanded empire. • Ruled through harsh means. • After death, rebellions broke out across the empire. • Darius took over and dealt with rebellious peoples. • Empire grew very large. • Divided the empire into 20 provinces. • Each province had a local government. • Used satraps govern / collect taxes. • Appointed a military commander for each satrap.

• Darius also built a Royal Road. • 1, 775 miles long. • Royal messages were sent by a relay of messengers. • Military troops and mail also moved about empire. • Set up a code of law based on Hammurabi’s model. • From Lydians - took the idea of minted coins. • Promoted business and made it easy to pay taxes.