2.1 Mesopotamian city-states and early empires

Mesopotamia's city-states laid the groundwork for complex societies. From Sumer to Assyria, these early civilizations developed writing, laws, and organized governments. They built impressive structures like ziggurats and palaces, showcasing their power and cultural achievements.

These empires shaped the ancient world through conquest and innovation. The Akkadians unified Mesopotamia, while Babylon's Code of Hammurabi set legal precedents. Assyria's military prowess and administration techniques influenced future empires, leaving a lasting impact on the region.

Sumerian City-States and Early Mesopotamian Empires

Characteristics of Sumerian city-states

Top images from around the web for Characteristics of Sumerian city-states

• 

  The Sumerian City Sate of Ur by historyfreak on DeviantArt View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  City-States in Mesopotamia - CDA's World History Wiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Arquitectura sumeria - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Sumerian City Sate of Ur by historyfreak on DeviantArt View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  City-States in Mesopotamia - CDA's World History Wiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Characteristics of Sumerian city-states

• 

  The Sumerian City Sate of Ur by historyfreak on DeviantArt View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  City-States in Mesopotamia - CDA's World History Wiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Arquitectura sumeria - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Sumerian City Sate of Ur by historyfreak on DeviantArt View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  City-States in Mesopotamia - CDA's World History Wiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Emergence of city-states in southern Mesopotamia (Sumer) around 3500 BCE
  • Each city-state had its own ruler, patron deity (Enki, Inanna), and distinct identity
• Development of cuneiform script, one of the earliest writing systems
  • Used for record-keeping, religious texts, and literature (Epic of Gilgamesh, Enuma Elish)
• Centralized temple complexes as the heart of the city-states
  • Ziggurats: massive stepped temples dedicated to the patron deity
  • Priests held significant political and economic power, acting as intermediaries between the people and the gods
• Advances in agriculture and irrigation techniques, such as levees and canals
  • Allowed for surplus food production (barley, wheat) and population growth
• Specialization of labor and social stratification based on occupation and wealth
  • Emergence of distinct social classes: rulers, priests, scribes, merchants, artisans, and farmers
• Rivalry and warfare between city-states for resources (fertile land, water) and power
  • Shifting alliances and dominance of individual city-states (Uruk, Ur, Lagash) over time

Rise and fall of Akkadian Empire

• Sargon the Great (r. 2334-2279 BCE) founded the Akkadian Empire through military conquests
  • Akkadians: Semitic-speaking people from northern Mesopotamia
• Sargon conquered the Sumerian city-states and unified Mesopotamia under a single rule
  • Created the world's first centralized empire, spanning from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea
• Innovations in military tactics and weaponry, such as the composite bow and siege engines
  • Professional standing army and effective use of bronze weapons
• Centralized bureaucracy and standardized system of weights and measures to facilitate trade and administration
• Promotion of Akkadian language and culture throughout the empire, while also assimilating aspects of Sumerian culture
• Decline and fall of the Akkadian Empire after Sargon's death due to several factors:
  • Overextension of the empire, leading to difficulties in maintaining control over vast territories
  • Internal strife and power struggles among Sargon's successors
  • Invasions by neighboring peoples (Gutians, Elamites) who took advantage of the empire's weakened state
  • Empire fragmented back into rival city-states after about 200 years of Akkadian rule

Structures of Babylonian Empire

• Rise of Babylon as a dominant city-state under Amorite rule around 1800 BCE
• Reign of Hammurabi (r. 1792-1750 BCE) and the Old Babylonian Period marked by territorial expansion
  • Expansion of Babylonian control over southern Mesopotamia through military campaigns and diplomacy
• Codification of laws in the Code of Hammurabi, inscribed on a large stone stele
  • Earliest known extensive legal code, covering various aspects of society (property rights, trade, criminal justice)
  • Principle of "an eye for an eye" (lex talionis) as a basis for justice and punishment
• Centralized government with the king at the apex of power, supported by a complex bureaucracy
  • Elaborate palace complexes (Palace of Hammurabi in Babylon) and royal patronage of arts and literature
• Social hierarchy with the king, nobles, and priests at the top, enjoying the most privileges and wealth
  • Merchants, artisans, and scribes formed a middle class, playing important roles in the economy and administration
  • Majority of the population were farmers and laborers, responsible for agricultural production and manual labor
• Decline of the Old Babylonian Period due to external threats and internal weakening
  • Conquest by the Hittites (sack of Babylon in 1595 BCE) and later the Kassites, who established a new dynasty

Impact of Assyrian Empire

• Rise of Assyria as a powerful empire in northern Mesopotamia between 1400-600 BCE
• Expansion and conquest of neighboring territories through military campaigns
  • Sophisticated military organization and tactics (siege warfare, deportations of conquered populations)
  • Creation of a vast empire stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean, including parts of Egypt and Anatolia
• Development of an efficient provincial administration system to govern the empire
  • Appointed governors and officials to manage conquered territories and ensure loyalty to the Assyrian king
• Promotion of Assyrian culture, religion, and language throughout the empire
  • Assimilation of conquered peoples and suppression of local identities to create a unified Assyrian identity
• Monumental architecture and artistic achievements showcasing Assyrian power and glory
  • Palaces (Palace of Sargon II at Dur-Sharrukin), temples, and massive carved reliefs glorifying Assyrian kings and gods
• Economic growth through tribute, trade, and agricultural productivity
  • Extensive road networks and control over key trade routes (Silk Roads) facilitated long-distance trade
• Legacy of Assyrian rule on the Near East, lasting long after the empire's fall
  • Lasting impact on art, architecture, and military practices, influencing later empires (Achaemenid Persia)
  • Sowed the seeds for resistance and the eventual fall of the empire to the Babylonians and Medes in 612 BCE