World History Chapter 3 Text Questions
In 2340 B.C. Sargon set up the first empire in world history. What is an empire? What made the Akkadian Empire successful?
*An empire is a large political unit or state, usually under a single leader, that controls many peoples or territories.* Empires are often easy to create, but they can be difficult to maintain. The rise and fall of empires is an important part of history. In his new empire, *Sargon used the former rulers of the conquered city-states as his governors. His power was based on the military, namely his army of 5,400 men.* Sargon's empire included all of Mesopotamia as well as lands westward to the Mediterranean. Sargon was later remembered in chronicles in ancient Mesopotamia as a king who
What evidence is there that the Assyrian Empire was tightly controlled by leaders at the top? Why would the Assyrian Empire create fear in its enemies?
At its height, the Assyrian Empire was ruled by kings whose power was seen as absolute. Under their leadership, the Assyrian Empire became well organized. Local officials were directly responsible to the king. The Assyrians also developed an efficient system of communication to administer their empire more effectively. A network of staging posts was established throughout the empire that used relays of horses (mules or donkeys in the mountains) to carry messages. The system was so effective that a governor anywhere in the empire could send a question and receive an answer from the king within a week. The Assyrians used terror as an instrument of warfare. They regularly laid waste to the land in which they were fighting. They smashed dams; looted and destroyed towns; set crops on fire; and cut down trees, particularly fruit trees. The Assyrians were also known for committing atrocities on their captives.
In 1792 B.C. a new empire arose. What was this empire called? By what method did Hammurabi gain control of Sumer and Akkad?
Babylonian Empire Hammurabi had a well-disciplined army of foot soldiers who carried axes, spears, and copper or bronze daggers. He learned to divide his opponents and subdue them one by one. Using such methods, he gained control of Sumer and Akkad, thus creating a new Mesopotamian kingdom.
How did Darius help the Persian Empire become the world's largest empire up to that time? In your answer be sure to describe changes made in administration of the empire as well and changes in communication and the military.
Darius strengthened the Persian government. He divided the empire into 20 provinces, called satrapies (SAY • truh • pees). A governor, or satrap, literally a "protector of the kingdom," ruled each province. Each satrap collected taxes, provided justice, and recruited soldiers. An efficient communication system sustained the Persian Empire. Officials easily traveled through the empire on well-maintained roads. The Royal Road stretched from Lydia in Asia Minor to Susa, the empire's chief capital. Like the Assyrians, the Persians set up way stations that provided food and shelter, as well as fresh horses, for the king's messengers. In this vast administrative system, the Persian king—the "Great King"—held an exalted position. All subjects were the king's servants, and he held the power of life and death over them. Much of the empire's power depended on the military. By the time of Darius, Persian kings had created a standing army of professional soldiers from all parts of the empire. At its core were a cavalry force of 10,000 and an elite infantry force of 10,000. They were known as the Immortals because whenever a member was killed, he was immediately replaced.
What is the Code of Hammurabi? What values underlie the code? Explain using examples.
For centuries in Mesopotamia, laws had regulated people's relationships with one another. Hammurabi's collection of laws provides great insight into social conditions there. The Code of Hammurabi was based on a system of strict justice. Penalties for criminal offenses were severe, and they varied according to the social class of the victim. A crime against a noble by a commoner was punished more severely than the same offense against a member of the lower class. Moreover, the principle of retaliation (an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth) was a fundamental part of this system of justice. Hammurabi's code took seriously the duties of public officials. Officials who failed to solve crimes had to make personal restitution to the victims or their families. Judges could be penalized for ruling incorrectly on a case. The law code also included what we would call consumer-protection laws. Builders were held responsible for the buildings they constructed. If a house collapsed and caused the owner to die, the builder was put to death. The largest category of laws in the Code of Hammurabi focused on marriage and the family. Parents arranged marriages for their children. After marriage, the two parties signed a marriage contract, which made the marriage legal.
Kush was major trading empire. What evidence is there that the Kingdom was prosperous?
Not much is known about Kushite society. It seems likely that it was mostly urban. At first, state authorities probably controlled foreign trade, but the presence of extensive luxury goods in the numerous private tombs in the area indicates that at one time material prosperity was relatively widespread. This suggests that a fairly large merchant class carried on trading activities. Indeed, the merchants of Meroë built large houses with central courtyards. Like the Romans, they also built public baths. Kushite prosperity was also evident in the luxurious palaces of the Kushite kings. Like the Egyptian pharaohs, these kings were buried in pyramids, although theirs were considerably smaller than those of their Egyptian models.
In what ways did Cyrus the Great of Persia earn the title "the Great?"
The Persians were Indo-Europeans who lived in what is today southwestern Iran. Primarily nomadic, the Persians were eventually unified by one family. One member of this family, Cyrus, created a powerful Persian state that stretched from Asia Minor to India. Cyrus ruled from 559 b.c. to 530 b.c. In 539 b.c. he captured Babylon. His treatment of Babylonia showed remarkable restraint and wisdom. He also allowed the Jews who had been held there as captives to return to Israel. The people of his time called Cyrus "the Great." He demonstrated wisdom and compassion in the conquest and organization of his empire. He won approval by installing not only Persians but also native peoples as government officials in their own states. Unlike the Assyrian rulers, Cyrus had a reputation for mercy. Medes, Babylonians, and Jews all accepted him as their ruler. Cyrus had a genuine respect for other civilizations. For example, he used Assyrian, Babylonian, and Egyptian designs for building his palaces.
What impact did the Hyksos have on New Kingdom Egypt? In what ways does New Kingdom Egypt fit the definition of "empire"? Provide 2 examples.
The conquered Egyptians learned a great deal from their conquerors. From the Hyksos, the Egyptians learned to use bronze in the making of their farming tools and their weapons. The Egyptians also mastered many of the military skills of the Hyksos, especially the use of horse-drawn war chariots. Eventually, a new dynasty of pharaohs used the new weapons to drive out the Hyksos and reunite Egypt. During the period of the New Kingdom, Egypt created an empire and became the most powerful state in the ancient Near East. Thutmosis I expanded Egypt's border to the south by conquering the African kingdom of Nubia. Thutmosis III led 17 military campaigns into Canaan and Syria and even reached as far east as the Euphrates River. His forces occupied Canaan but allowed local native princes to rule. Egypt now pursued an active political and diplomatic policy. The new Egyptian imperial state reached its height during the reign of Amenhotep III (c. 1412-1375 b.c.). The achievements of the empire were made visible in the construction of magnificent new buildings and temples. Especially famous were the temple centers at Karnak and Luxor and the 70-foot-high (21.33 m) statues of Amenhotep III in front of temples along the Nile.
What caused the collapse of Egypt's empire? What eventually became of Egypt?
The upheavals associated with Amenhotep's religious revolution led to a loss of Egypt's empire. Preoccupied with religious affairs, the pharaoh ignored foreign affairs and lost both Syria and Canaan. Under Ramses II, who reigned from c. 1279 b.c. to 1213 b.c., the Egyptians went back on the offensive. They regained control of Canaan but were unable to reestablish the borders of their earlier empire. New invasions in the 1200s b.c. by the "Sea Peoples," as the Egyptians called them, destroyed Egyptian power in Canaan and drove the Egyptians back within their old frontiers. The days of the Egyptian Empire ended. The New Kingdom collapsed in 1070 b.c. For the next thousand years, Egypt was dominated periodically by Libyans, Nubians, Persians, and, finally, Macedonians after the conquest of Alexander the Great. In the first century b.c., the pharaoh Cleopatra VII tried to reestablish Egypt's independence. Her involvement with Rome led to her defeat and suicide, and Egypt became a province in Rome's empire.