Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent Chapter 3 Section

Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent Chapter 3 Section 4 - Later Peoples of the Fertile Crescent

Section 4 Later Peoples of the Fertile Crescent The Big Idea After the Sumerians, many cultures ruled parts of the Fertile Crescent. Main Ideas • The Babylonians conquered Mesopotamia and created a code of law. • Invasions of Mesopotamia changed the region’s culture. • The Phoenicians built a trading society in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Main Idea 1: The Babylonians conquered Mesopotamia and created a code of law. Hammurabi was Babylon’s king. During his rule, Babylon became the most important city in Mesopotamia. Hammurabi’s Code was a set of 282 laws he created that dealt with almost every part of daily life.

Hammurabi Babylon’s king and the city’s greatest monarch, or ruler of a kingdom or empire Brilliant war leader who brought all of Mesopotamia into his Babylonian Empire • Oversaw building and irrigation projects and improved the tax system • Developed a set of laws that was written down for all to see

Hammurabi’s Code Hammurabi wrote down 282 laws which contained some ideas still found in laws today. Specific crimes brought specific penalties. Social class was taken into account. It was a greater crime to injure a rich man than a poor one. It was unique not only because of how thorough it was, but also because he wrote it down for all to see.

Video: Sargon the Great and Hammurabi (13: 49)

Main Idea 2: Invasions of Mesopotamia changed the region’s culture. Armies battled for control of fertile land. Different peoples ruled Mesopotamia. Hittites Kassites Assyrians Chaldeans Each group affected the culture of the region.

The Hittites & Kassites The Hittites were the first to master ironworking, so they made the strongest weapons of the time. They used the chariot, a wheeled, horse-drawn cart, which allowed them to move quickly around the battlefield. They were taken over by the Kassites after their king was assassinated. The Kassites ruled for almost 400 years. Video: Lost Civilization of the Hittites (5: 00 minutes)

The Assyrians had a strong army that used chariots and iron weapons. They spread terror before battles by looting villages and burning crops. Assyrian kings ruled their empire through local leaders who each governed a small area. The local leaders demanded heavy taxes. Video: Babylonia and Assyria (10: 52)

The Chaldeans attacked the Assyrians when they were weak and destroyed their empire. Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon into a beautiful city that had the famous Hanging Gardens. They admired the Sumerian culture, studied their language, and built temples to Sumerian gods. Babylon became a center for astronomy. Assyrian Empire Falls and the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (9: 29)

Video: Decline of Babylonia (5: 24)

Main Idea 3: The Phoenicians built a trading society in the eastern Mediterranean region. Resources • Prized Cedar trees for timber • Accessed the sea for trade • Built great harbors Expansion of Trade • Sailed ships around the Mediterranean Sea • Founded several new colonies along the trade routes Alphabet • Recorded their activities • Made writing much easier for everyone • Is the basis for the English language • Became wealthy Video: Phoenician Alphabet (2: 51 minutes)