Life in Sumer: The Sumerian city-states were ruled by rich kings. On the top of the social structure were the priests and government officials officials who lived in luxurious two-story homes near the center of the city. Next, the common class was made up of craftspeople and merchants. They worked to build luxurious items for the upper class, such as mirrors or jewelry. Below the common class were farmers and fishermen. They lived in small houses and helped to build and repair the irrigation system. The slaves were at the bottom of the social pyramid. They lived in their owners’ homes and had no property.
Life under Akkadian Rule: The Akkadian Empire was ruled by Sargon for 56 years. Sargon built up the capital city, Agade, with tributes from the people. The Akkadian empire also owned the Sumerian city-states. The Akkadians used the ancient Sumerian system of writing, or cuneiform. Craftspeople carved relief statues called steles. After about 200 years, the current kings could not rule such a large territory. Soon, the empire began getting weaker and weaker until it was taken over by invaders from the north.
Life under Akkadian Rule: The Akkadian Empire was ruled by Sargon for 56 years. Sargon built up the capital city, Agade, with tributes from the people. The Akkadian empire also owned the Sumerian city-states. The Akkadians used the ancient Sumerian system of writing, or cuneiform. Craftspeople carved relief statues called steles. After about 200 years, the current kings could not rule such a large territory. Soon, the empire began getting weaker and weaker until it was taken over by invaders from the north.
Life under Babylonian Rule: Life in the Babylonian Empire was ruled by Hammurabi, who invented the first system of written laws. Also, the social structure was built around agriculture and trade. They traded for precious metals, jewels, wood, and livestock. Laws treated different people differently. For instance, slaves could save their own money, work elsewhere, and they could have even buy their freedom! Also, women could buy their own property, and keep money of their own.
Life in Syria: Life under the Assyrians Rule was ruled by powerful kings. Religion was very important to the social and political order. They built beautiful palaces in the capital city Nineveh. The Assyrians dug canals to keep their land fertile and was one of the earliest civilizations to build aqueducts. Craftspeople built two-dimensional sculptures called bas reliefs. They were amazingly realistic and showed hunting and fighting in battles. The Empire lasted 300 years when the army grew thin and Scythians took over. The Assyrian power was broken forever.
Life in the Neo-Babylonian Empire: Life under the Neo-Babylonian was ruled by the king Nebuchadrezzar. He rebuilt cities ziggurats,which are temples of worship. The king decorated his beautiful palace with gardens which are famously known today as The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Babylonians were skilled mathematicians, and astronomers. They created the first sundial device, or a device to tell time from the sun’s rays. Their discoveries led us to the 60 minute hour, and the 7 day week. The Neo-Babylonian empire only existed for about 75 years. This empire was conquered by Cyrus, or the Persian empire’s first leader.
Life in Syria: Life under the Assyrians Rule was ruled by powerful kings. Religion was very important to the social and political order. They built beautiful palaces in the capital city Nineveh. The Assyrians dug canals to keep their land fertile and was one of the earliest civilizations to build aqueducts. Craftspeople built two-dimensional sculptures called bas reliefs. They were amazingly realistic and showed hunting and fighting in battles. The Empire lasted 300 years when the army grew thin and Scythians took over. The Assyrian power was broken forever.
Life in the Neo-Babylonian Empire: Life under the Neo-Babylonian was ruled by the king Nebuchadrezzar. He rebuilt cities ziggurats,which are temples of worship. The king decorated his beautiful palace with gardens which are famously known today as The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Babylonians were skilled mathematicians, and astronomers. They created the first sundial device, or a device to tell time from the sun’s rays. Their discoveries led us to the 60 minute hour, and the 7 day week. The Neo-Babylonian empire only existed for about 75 years. This empire was conquered by Cyrus, or the Persian empire’s first leader.