The Amorites2000-1500 BC

The Amorites

• Background:– 2300 BC, Sumeria fell

to Sargon of Akkad

The Amorites• Background

– Sargon of Akkad built the first ________ in history.

– His capital was at Akkad, central Mesopotamia

The Amorites

• After the Sumerians fell in 2000 BC, large numbers of ________ people moved into Mesopotamia.

The Amorites

• The Amorites were part of this larger group to enter Mesopotamia. They entered from the west.

• They eventually controlled the city of Akkad, changing its name to _________, after one of their gods.

• They built the “Old” Babylonian Empire (1900-1600 BC)

The Amorites

• The Amorites adopted _______________culture

• Except: No more city-states• All were _________ under one

Amorite leader, Hammurabi (1790-1750 BC).– He advocated ___________

ownership of land– Kept priests and political

leaders separate.

• Main god of Babylon: Marduk• Isin-Larsa Period: fall of

Sumeria to Hammurabi• Main Cities: Mari, Isin, Larsa

The Amorites

The Amorites

• Hammurabi:– Babylonian empire

was a collection of __________ peoples, languages and customs.

– To unite these people:• Power/independence

was taken from cities and invested in king.

• New laws: crimes vs. state

The Amorites

• Hammurabi had set of laws written up:– Hammurabi’s Code:

• _______ specific laws• Inscribed on a 6ft. Tall

black basalt ________• Top: picture of

Hammurabi receiving laws from god Shamash.

• Included harsh penalties: eye for an eye.

The Amorites

• Hammurabi:

Hammurabi receiving the law from the god Shamash

The Amorites• Hammurabi’s Code: Prologue

Prologue to Hammurabi's Code (extracts)"When the lofty Anu, king of Anunnaki, and Enlil, lord of heaven and earth, who determines the destinies of the land, committed the rule

of all humankind to Marduk, the first born son of Ea they pronounced the lofty name of Babylon, made it great among the

quarters of the world and in its midst established for him an everlasting kingdom whose foundations were firm as heaven and

earth, at that time Anu and Enlil named me, Hammurabi, the exalted prince, the worshipper of the gods, to cause righteousness to prevail in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil, to prevent the strong

from plundering the weak, to go forth like the sun over the black-headed race, to enlighten the land and to further the welfare of the

people. I am Hammurabi, the shepherd, named by Enlil, I increased plenty and abundance, I made everything complete [another 210

lines recount Hammurabi's great achievements] The sun of Babylon who caused light to go forth over the lands of

Sumer and Akkad, the favorite of Inanna

The Amorites

• Hammurabi also…– Improved irrigation– Organized an ______– Repaired temples– Elevated the god

Marduk• Originally, Sumerian

god, became Babylonian sun god