Mesopotamian Empires

Empires of Mesopotamia

Read the text and answer the questions.

The Summerians

They were the first humans to form a civilization. They invented writing and government. They were organized in city-states ruled by a king. They built homes, palaces and places of worship out of sun-dried mud bricks and created transport in the form of chariots and carriages, based on their discovery of the wheel.

The Akkadians

They formed the first united empire where the city-states of the Sumer were united under one ruler. The Akkadian language replaced the Sumerian language during this time. It would be the main language throughout much of the history of Mesopotamia.

Babylonnians

The city of Babylon became the most powerful city in Mesopotamia. Throughout the history of the region, the Babylonians would rise and fall. At times the Babylonians would create vast empires that ruled much of the Middle East. The Babylonians were the first to write down and record their system of law.

THE HITTITES

- First empire to make iron weapons.

- Big military advance over bronze.

- Lost advantage when iron tech spread.

THE ASSYRIANS

• Militaristic empire: iron weapons, body armor, tunneling under walls.

• Conquered Egypt, Palestine & Mesopotamia

  King Ashurbanipal = Largest empire

• Built massive capital at Nineveh

Answer the questions based on the information you read.

Multiple Choice

They were the first to write down a system of law.

• The summerians

• The Akkadians

• Babylonnians

Multiple Choice

First empire to make iron weapons.

• Hittites

• The Akkadians

• The Persians

Multiple Choice

The first humans to form a civilization.

• The Assyrians

• The Summerians

• The Persians

Multiple Choice

Their language was the main language throughout much of the history of Mesopotamia.

• The Akkadians

• The hittites

• The Babylonians

Multiple Choice

They invented writing and government.

• The Assyrians

• The Summerians

• The Persians