Summary
The rise of Babylon is a notable exception in a period of regional conflict and political fragmentation following the collapse of the third dynasty of Ur at the hands of Amorite invaders. Under the rule of King Hammurabi, Babylon would eventually rise to unify the entire region, eclipsing previous civilizations and becoming a dominant empire.
Vocabulary Table
| Term | Pronunciation | Definition | Used in sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akkad | /ˈækæd/ | Ancient region in Mesopotamia, corresponding to modern-day Iraq, known for its cultural and historical significance. | The Akkadian king Sharkalisharri laid the foundations of a temple in the city of Babylon, marking the beginning of a new era in the region. |
| Amorite | /ˈæməˌraɪt/ | An ancient Semitic-speaking people who inhabited Mesopotamia and played a significant role in the region’s history and culture. | The Amorite chief, Sumu-abum, established the first Babylonian dynasty, which would eventually rise to unify the entire region. |
| Babylonia | /ˌbæbɪˈloʊniə/ | An ancient territorial state that emerged in Mesopotamia, corresponding to modern-day Iraq, known for its cultural, historical, and economic significance. | The emergence of Babylonia marked a significant change in the political landscape of Sumer and Akkad, as city-states were replaced by a unified territorial state. |
| Elamite Empire | /ˈiːləˌmaɪt ˈɛmpaɪər/ | An ancient empire that existed in the region of modern-day Iran, known for its cultural and historical significance in Mesopotamia. | The Elamite Empire attacked Eshnunna and imposed direct rule on the cities of Mesopotamia, posing a significant threat to the rising state of Babylon. |
| Hammurabi | /ˌhæmʊˈrɑːbi/ | The sixth king of the first Babylonian dynasty, known for his wise and just rule, which unified the entire region and established Babylon as a dominant empire. | Hammurabi focused on internal development and establishing justice in his city, reorganizing the economy and canceling debts to gain the loyalty of his citizens. |
| Marduk | /ˈmɑːrdʊk/ | The patron god of the city of Babylon, worshipped as a supreme deity in the Babylonian pantheon. | The cult of Marduk was documented during the early period of Babylon’s history, with a throne of gold and silver fashioned for the Babylonian sky god. |
| Mesopotamia | /ˌmɛsəpəˈteɪmiə/ | A historical region in the Middle East, corresponding to modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of Syria, Turkey, and Iran, known for its cultural and historical significance. | The shared Mesopotamian heritage of Hammurabi and Rim-Sin of Larsa potentially motivated them to form an alliance, setting the stage for Babylon’s future expansion. |
| Rim-Sin | /rɪm sɪn/ | A king of the city-state of Larsa, known for his expansionist policies and conflicts with the rising state of Babylon. | Rim-Sin was eventually captured and killed by Hammurabi, marking a significant change in the political landscape of Sumer and Akkad. |
| Sumer | /ˈsuːmər/ | An ancient civilization in Mesopotamia, known for its cultural and historical significance, which flourished in the region of modern-day Iraq. | The Sumerian South was a region of significant cultural and historical importance, with the city of Ur being a major center of power and influence. |
| Ur | /ʊər/ | An ancient city in Sumer, known for its cultural and historical significance, which was an important center of power and influence in the region. | The Elamites sacked the city of Ur, marking the end of the third dynasty of Ur and paving the way for the rise of Babylon. |
Vocabulary Flashcards
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Fill in the Blanks Exercise
1. The Amorite chief, , established the first Babylonian dynasty in 1894 BC.
2. The cult of was also documented during this period, with a throne of gold and silver fashioned for the Babylonian sky god in 1860 BC.
3. In the 19th century BC, Babylon and emerged as rising powers in Sumer and Akkad.
4. ascended to the throne of Babylon at the age of 18 in 1792 BC.
5. Hammurabi declared war on Rim Sin of Larsa in 1763 BC, justifying it as a act authorized by the gods.
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