• 9/24 Focus: – Hammurabi established the Babylonian Empire in Mesopotamia. – Hammurabi created one of the first code of laws that would apply to everyone in his empire. • Do Now: – What was one effect of a lack of natural barriers in Mesopotamia Mesopotamia • How did the Sumerians view their gods? • What type of structure is shown in this image? • What form of writing was developed by the ancient Sumerians? • Frequent warfare and foreign invasions weakened the Sumerian city states • Ruler from the city of Akkad – Located on the Euphrates River • Conquered all of Sumer and northern Mesopotamia – Established the world’s first empire – Last about 140 years until tribes invaded from the east • Amorite tribe invaded Mesopotamia from the East • Hammurabi – Amorite king that united all of Mesopotamia into the Babylonian Empire in 1792 B.C.E • Capitol was Babylon • Under his rule the empire grew wealthy through expansion of trade • Expanded public works projects • Kept elements of the Sumerian culture – Honored Sumerian gods • Allowed priests to retain power – Continued to teach Sumerian language and cuneiform • The first major collection of codified laws in history – 282 written laws • Dealt with everything from trade to murder • Laws written for all to see – Established standards of justice – Harsh Punishments • “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” • What led to the decline of Sumerian cities? • What is the earliest form of codified law that we know of? • Why was the Code of Hammurabi a significant achievement?