Cuneiform was the first writing system developed in Mesopotamia. It used wedge-shaped symbols pressed into clay tablets that provided information about Sumerian culture, religion, history, and leadership. Sumerian society had distinct social classes that were fixed by law, including women who could own property. The Akkadian Empire established the first empire in Mesopotamia under Sargon, though maintaining control required constant military campaigns. Hammurabi later united Mesopotamia under the Babylonian Empire and is best known for his legal code containing strict laws and punishments.

4. Cuneiform
• Cuneiform was the first writing system
• It was based on syllables and words were written on clay tablets
and baked.
• Cuneiform tells us about important people of the time, their
religion, and values and history.

5. Early Sumerian Government
• The 1st cities were led by
“big men” or LU-GALS
• They typically met with a
council of elders to make
important decisions
• Their status increased over
time until they became
kings and passed power to
their sons.

6. Sumerian Social Class
• Classes in Sumer were rigid and fixed by law
• Women were able to own property and engage in business
• Slaves were usually war captives or debtors

7. Mesopotamian Religion
• Mesopotamian gods were connected with forces
of nature
• Polytheistic religion – belief in many gods
• There was flooding from the rivers so
Mesopotamians believed their gods were angry
and violent

9. Akkadian Empire
• In 2334 BCE, a great
Akkadian warrior, Sargon
conquered Mesopotamia
and established the first
empire
• He created a large
standing army
• He did not have a
bureaucracy to collect
taxes so his army always
had to be on the move

10. From Sargon to Naram-Sin
• Naram-Sin (2,254 -2,218
BCE) was Sargon’s
grandson
• He expanded Sargon’s
empire to its greatest size
• Naram-Sin declared
himself “King of the 4
Quarters” – effectively King
of the World

12. Who was Hammurabi?
• Member of the Amorite
dynasty
• King of Babylon from
1792 – 1750 BCE
• United all of
Mesopotamia under the
Babylonian Empire

13. Who was Hammurabi
• He was best known for
the legal code he
codified in 1772 BCE
• 282 laws written on it
• Discovered in 1901 in
Iran; it was recorded on
a clay tablet

19. Summary
Hammurabi’s Code is known
for:
• Strict Penalties
– most involving death and
mutilation
• Gender & Class
Discrimination
• Harsh Punishment of perjury
– Reputation was important in
an age
without electronic records.

21. How did the Assyrians rule and influence
Mesopotamia?
• Warfare was a central part of their
culture
• Well ordered society
• Highly regulated society
• Created public places for trade
• Higher class women had fewer rights

28. The Hittites
• Located in Modern Turkey (Anatolia)
• Most well known for developing
iron technology
• We are not quite sure if they were
invaders or lived peacefully with
others

30. The Phoenicians
• Known as “carriers of civilization” because they
were mostly sea based people, who focused on
trade and living on the water
• In this way, they “carried” civilizations and
promoted cultural diffusion
• They are most well known for
– Ship building
– Establishing colonies throughout the Mediterranean
– Glass blowing techniques and color dying (purple)
– Creation of a new alphabet