Question

name ____ class __ date ____
the fertile crescent, mesopotamia, and the persian empire
lesson 3
main ideas

1. the babylonians conquered mesopotamia and created a code of law.
2. invasions of mesopotamia changed the region’s future

key terms and people
monarch a ruler of a kingdom or empire
hammurabi the city of babylon’s greatest monarch
hammurabi’s code the earliest known written collection of laws, comprising 282 laws that dealt with almost every part of daily life
chariot a wheeled, horse - drawn battle cart
nebuchadnezzar the chaldean king who rebuilt babylon
lesson summary
the babylonians conquer mesopotamia
by 1800 bc, a powerful government had arisen in babylon, an old sumerian city on the euphrates. babylon’s greatest monarch (mahr - nark), hammurabi, had conquered all of mesopotamia.
hammurabi was not just a brilliant war leader. during his 42 - year reign, hammurabi oversaw many building and irrigation projects, improved the tax collection system, and brought prosperity through increased trade. he is most famous, however, for hammurabi’s code, the earliest known written collection of laws. it contained laws on everything from trade, loans, and theft to injury, marriage, and murder. some of its ideas are still found in laws today. the code was important not only for how thorough it was, but also because it was written down for all to see.
on what river was the city of babylon located?
why do you think it is important for laws to be written down?

Explanation:

Sub - question 1: On what river was the city of Babylon located?

From the text "By 1800 BC, a powerful government had arisen in Babylon, an old Sumerian city on the Euphrates", we can directly get the answer.

1. Consistency: Written laws ensure that the same rules are applied to everyone. There is no ambiguity or favoritism as the law is clearly stated. For example, Hammurabi's Code had 282 laws that dealt with various aspects of daily life, and everyone knew what was expected and what the consequences were.
2. Preservation: Written laws can be passed down through generations. They don't rely on people's memory, which can be faulty. So the legal system can be maintained over time, like how Hammurabi's Code has influenced legal systems even today.
3. Clarity: It makes the law clear to all members of society, including those in power. Rulers or officials can't misinterpret or change the law arbitrarily as it is documented. This helps in maintaining order and justice in society.

Answer:

The city of Babylon was located on the Euphrates River.

Sub - question 2: Why do you think it is important for laws to be written down?