Question

inventions of mesopotamia - identify 3 and explain them hammurabis code - what was it? what was epic of gilgamesh religion - role of kings, priests, commoners - why were humans created? empires - what were the 4 major empires? - what are key points of each of them? rulers - who were the important rules/kings/emperors of the kingdoms? what is something significant they accomplished during their rule?

Explanation:

1. Inventions of Mesopotamia: The wheel, used for transportation and in machinery; writing (cuneiform), for record - keeping and communication; the plow, which revolutionized agriculture.
2. Hammurabi's Code: It was a set of 282 laws established by King Hammurabi of Babylon. It covered various aspects like trade, property rights, and family law, and was one of the earliest written legal codes.
3. Epic of Gilgamesh: An ancient Mesopotamian epic poem. It tells the story of Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, and his adventures, exploring themes like friendship, mortality, and the human condition.
4. Religion - Role of Kings, Priests, Commoners: Kings were seen as having a divine connection, often acting as intermediaries between gods and people. Priests were responsible for religious rituals and maintaining the temples. Commoners participated in religious festivals and made offerings. The reason for human creation, according to Mesopotamian belief, was to serve the gods, doing tasks like building temples and providing food.
5. Empires - 4 major empires: The Akkadian Empire (first empire in history, under Sargon of Akkad, unified Mesopotamia); the Babylonian Empire (Hammurabi's rule, known for its legal code); the Assyrian Empire (fierce military, controlled a large territory); the Neo - Babylonian Empire (rebuilt Babylon, famous for the Hanging Gardens).
6. Rulers: For example, Sargon of Akkad founded the first empire; Hammurabi codified laws; Ashurbanipal of the Assyrian Empire had a great library.

Answer:

1. Inventions: Wheel (transport and machinery), Cuneiform (writing for records), Plow (agricultural revolution).
2. Hammurabi's Code: Set of 282 laws covering trade, property, family law; early written legal code.
3. Epic of Gilgamesh: Ancient poem about Gilgamesh's adventures, exploring friendship, mortality.
4. Religion - Roles: Kings as divine intermediaries, Priests for rituals, Commoners for offerings; humans created to serve gods.
5. Empires: Akkadian (first empire, Sargon), Babylonian (Hammurabi, legal code), Assyrian (fierce military), Neo - Babylonian (rebuilt Babylon, Hanging Gardens).
6. Rulers: Sargon (founded first empire), Hammurabi (codified laws), Ashurbanipal (great library).