Empire Worksheet

Do NowTake out your Homework and Practice Book

and vocabulary sheets.

Open your textbook to page 121.

The First Empires1. Why were Sumerian city-states often at

war with one another? How did Sargon conquer and create the world’s first empire?

The First EmpiresSumerian city-states wanted the wealth

that came from controlling land and water. Sargon rebelled against the king of Kish and defeated him. Then, Sargon marched his army across Mesopotamia, conquering one Sumerian city-state at a time.

The First Empires 2. How did Sargon maintain control

over his empire? How was his army and government set up?

The First EmpiresHe used force and an organized

government, including a standing army and officials who were faithful to him. He was one of the first rulers to keep a standing army, a permanent army of paid soldiers. Sargon chose officials who he knew would remain faithful and appointed loyal nobles and governors to control conquered cities.

The First Empires3. How many laws did the Code of

Hammurabi have, and what did these laws cover?

The First EmpiresThe Code of Hammurabi consisted of 282

laws, which covered such matters as family relationships, taxes, land and business deals, trade, loans, debts, wages, and crime.

The First Empires 4. What changes did Hammurabi do to

organize the old laws of Babylon? What quote is used to represent the way he ruled?

The First EmpiresHammurabi changed the old laws that

were unfair and made clear those that were confusing. The quote used was:

“So that the strong should not harm the weak.”

The First Empires5. How can you tell Hammurabi believed

he had approval of the gods?

The First EmpiresHis quote about how the gods told him to

rule with righteousness. “[The gods] called by name me, Hammurabi, the exalted prince, …to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land.”

The First Empires6. How did Hammurabi show fairness in

how he ruled?

The First EmpiresHe called himself “the shepherd of the

oppressed and of the slaves,” and that he had “brought about the well-being of the oppressed.” He believed that all people-even the defeated and the powerless-deserve protection and justice. He knew that it would not be right to do everything he had the power to do. He could have let the poor starve, denied rights to the powerless, and killed conquered people. Instead, his actions were guided by fairness.

The First Empires7. What 4 empires invaded and ruled

Mesopotamia? What helped the Assyrians gain control of trade? (Include details!)

The First EmpiresThe Hittites, Kassites, Assyrians, and the

New Babylonian Empire invaded and ruled Mesopotamia. The Assyrians gained control of trade with their mastery over powerful new weapons. They learned how to make iron weapons and war chariots. They also used the battering ram, a heavy wooden beam used to break down walls, and they were among the first to use the lance, a spear attached to a long handle.

Wrap UpComplete page 29 of your Homework and

Practice Book.