Sumerian Civilization

Sumer is in the state of Mesopotamia. The civilization first developed in the Fertile Crescent area which is situated between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Sumerians began between 4500 to 4000 BCE. The people known as Sumerians were in control of the area by 3000 BCE. Their culture revolved around a group of city-states, including Eridu, Nippur, Lagash, Kish, Ur. Uruk-known as the first true city. Sumerian city-states frequently engaged in wars which led to different dynasties and kingships. 

The Sumerians had many important accomplishments. Uruk was the first city ever created. The Sumerians also invented writing by using clay tablets. Sumerians created the wheel around 3000 BCE. Sumerians made advancements in agriculture by creating irrigation systems and developed the plow. The Sumerians developed a government for their city-states and created legal systems. Sumerians are also credited with creating a calendar system. Well known Sumerian kings include:  Lugalbanda, Gilgamesh, Hammurabi, Ur-Nammu, Ubara-Tutu, and Sargon of Akkad. 

The downfall of the Sumerians occurred when the Akkadians invaded the region in 1750 BCE. Their culture was already declining due to land overuse and clashes the Akkadians. (LS)

Babylonian Civilization

The First Wave of Power in Babylonia

There were two waves of Babylonian power. During one of those waves, Hammurabi was the king; he created Hammurabi's Code of Law. The different laws were about economic provisions, prices, tariffs, trade, commerce, family law, marriage and divorce, criminal law assault, theft, civil law, slavery, and debt. There were a total of 282 laws. Hammurabi's Code of Law is one of the oldest and most important laws. 

Babylonians had rights just like we do. Women's rights were better in Babylonia than they were in Greece. Women were allowed to present themselves in court, own property, and give that property to their children; they could also work as a priestess or an official. Men were allowed to put their children into labor so they could have more money to give the children a better life. The father could even sell his children. If the father wasn't around, the mother would take control, and if both parents were gone then the eldest child would take over.

The Second Wave of Power in Babylonia

The other king was King Nebuchadnezzar. Babylonia comes into play after the third dynasty of Ur which went from 2112-2004 BCE. Several other tribes came to the south. The Babylonian Empire came back when Nebuchadnezzar was king. Hammurabi came in 1792-1750 BCE which was over a thousand years before Nebuchadnezzar. Babylonia and Babylonia’s ally Larsa fought a war against Elam. After that, Babylonia became the capital of the region between the northwest and the Persian Gulf. The Kassite kings became rulers of Babylonia in the second dynasty.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a very good military. He was considered one of the best military leaders known to Babylonia. In addition to his military, he also built many structures like ziggurats, the Ishtar Gate, The Hanging Gardens, and The Tower of Babel. The Tower of Babel was the first skyscraper in the world. The ziggurat and the Tower of Babel were the most important structures in Babylonia. The uses for ziggurats were for the king's throne, and at the top of the ziggurat people would pray. The Tower of Babel was used to reach heaven and to make Babylonia famous.

(GH)