Political Systems of Ancient Mesopotamia
By: Sydney W., Audrey C., Philippa C., Scott P., and Kevin J.
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Mesopotamia's Political System
The Mesopotamian government was a combination of a monarchy and democracy. Kings ruled the people as well as elected officials who served in the assembly. After the ruler was done ruling the people voted for a new ruler. In their political there was a king and queen who were the rulers, the satrap made sure the people paid their taxes. The High Priest "answered" God's wants. Kings would try to conquer other places because the they could tax those people and get more money. Also the people could become the slaves of the kings or the more wealthy people. More helpful resources were found in these new areas. The resources were helpful to create new and improved items.
The Mesopotamian government was a combination of a monarchy and democracy. Kings ruled the people as well as elected officials who served in the assembly. After the ruler was done ruling the people voted for a new ruler. In their political there was a king and queen who were the rulers, the satrap made sure the people paid their taxes. The High Priest "answered" God's wants. Kings would try to conquer other places because the they could tax those people and get more money. Also the people could become the slaves of the kings or the more wealthy people. More helpful resources were found in these new areas. The resources were helpful to create new and improved items.
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Power
Mesopotamia was divided into provinces. Each province was owned by a governor of Mesopotamia. His main responsibility was to make sure that all taxes were paid within his area. He was also made to prepare troops for a war and to make sure that there was a good amount of supplies in the area.
The king was in charge of all the governors. Therefore, he ruled the entire land.
Mesopotamia was divided into provinces. Each province was owned by a governor of Mesopotamia. His main responsibility was to make sure that all taxes were paid within his area. He was also made to prepare troops for a war and to make sure that there was a good amount of supplies in the area.
The king was in charge of all the governors. Therefore, he ruled the entire land.
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Mesopotamian Laws
The laws of Mesopotamia were stated in the Code of Hammurabi, created by King Hammurabi (left) while he was a prince. There are 282 laws in all and are divided by subject . Along with the laws punishments were also stated for each law if it was not followed. All of the punishments were fair but they were also very cruel. For example, article 195 states that “If a son should strike his father, his hands shall be hewn off.” The code also stated what workers earned. For instance, article 63 reads that "If he transform waste land into arable fields and return it to its owner, the latter shall pay him for one year ten gur for ten gan." If you may realize, the Hammurabi's Code talked a lot about consequences, as most law codes were like at the time.
For more information, please visit http://eawc.evansville.edu/anthology/hammurabi.htm
The laws of Mesopotamia were stated in the Code of Hammurabi, created by King Hammurabi (left) while he was a prince. There are 282 laws in all and are divided by subject . Along with the laws punishments were also stated for each law if it was not followed. All of the punishments were fair but they were also very cruel. For example, article 195 states that “If a son should strike his father, his hands shall be hewn off.” The code also stated what workers earned. For instance, article 63 reads that "If he transform waste land into arable fields and return it to its owner, the latter shall pay him for one year ten gur for ten gan." If you may realize, the Hammurabi's Code talked a lot about consequences, as most law codes were like at the time.
For more information, please visit http://eawc.evansville.edu/anthology/hammurabi.htm
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/1/2/24120314/4199906.jpg?123)
Mesopotamian Warfare
Mesopotamia had walled cities and often had armies placed around rivers, streams, and canals. Mesopotamia often got into battles with nearby areas. At the time, Mesopotamia was a city-state. which means that they were a independent, rather small state. This usually meant weakness, because you could easily block water sources nearby, or destroy the small populations of the city-state. Fortunately, Mesopotamia was great at warfare, and could wear off their enemies most of the time. For example, in 2600–2350 BC, the Mesopotamians sucessfully defeated the Eannatums.
Mesopotamia had walled cities and often had armies placed around rivers, streams, and canals. Mesopotamia often got into battles with nearby areas. At the time, Mesopotamia was a city-state. which means that they were a independent, rather small state. This usually meant weakness, because you could easily block water sources nearby, or destroy the small populations of the city-state. Fortunately, Mesopotamia was great at warfare, and could wear off their enemies most of the time. For example, in 2600–2350 BC, the Mesopotamians sucessfully defeated the Eannatums.
Famous Kings of Mesopotamia
•King Gilgamesh - The fifth king of Uruk (a Sumerian State). He was also know as the "Demond God" with super human strength in later legends.
•Sargon the Great - Founded the world's first empire. Also conquered many Sumerian city/states.
•King Naram Sin - The First Mesopotamian ruler to say he was a god.
•King Hammurabi - Created the first set of laws that were written down called Hummurabi's Code. Also created the first Babylonian empire.
•King Nabopolassar- Created the second Babylonian empire.
•King Shamshi-Adad - Created the first Assyrian empire.
•King Tiglath-Pileset III - Added the Assyrian military and their political system.
KING POP QUIZ!
1. Which king founded the world's first empire?
a. King Nabopolassar
b. King Hammurabic
c. Sargon the Great
2. Which king was the first Mesopotamian ruler to say he was a god?
a. King Tiglath Pileset III
b. King Naram Sin
c. King Giglamesh
3. Which king created the first written laws?
a. King Hammurabi
b. King Shamshi-Adad
c. King Nabopolassar
1. Which king founded the world's first empire?
a. King Nabopolassar
b. King Hammurabic
c. Sargon the Great
2. Which king was the first Mesopotamian ruler to say he was a god?
a. King Tiglath Pileset III
b. King Naram Sin
c. King Giglamesh
3. Which king created the first written laws?
a. King Hammurabi
b. King Shamshi-Adad
c. King Nabopolassar
Pictures Bibliography:
Hammurabi's Code (top) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Code-de-Hammurabi-1.jpg
King Gilgamesh (slide show) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Izdubar.png
Sargon the Great (slide show) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Sargon_of_Akkad.jpg
King Naram Sin (slide show) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Stele_Naram_Sim_Louvre_Sb4.jpg
King Hammurabi (slide show) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/P1050771_Louvre_code_Hammurabi_bas_relief_rwk.JPG
King Shamshi-Adad (slide show) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Shamshi-Adad_V-1.jpg
War Painting (slide show) : http://klimtlover.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/peace-side-of-the-standard-of-ur.jpg
YouTube Video: http://youtu.be/0wSTynm4ZLs
Warfare photo: http://karenswhimsy.com/public-domain-images/ancient-mesopotamia/images/ancient-mesopotamia-2.jpg
Power photo: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I73e2QtEG6k/TGQ7SOzYe0I/AAAAAAAAADg/OnUDg1j_FNo/s1600/horse+meso.JPG
Hammurabi's Code (top) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Code-de-Hammurabi-1.jpg
King Gilgamesh (slide show) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Izdubar.png
Sargon the Great (slide show) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Sargon_of_Akkad.jpg
King Naram Sin (slide show) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Stele_Naram_Sim_Louvre_Sb4.jpg
King Hammurabi (slide show) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/P1050771_Louvre_code_Hammurabi_bas_relief_rwk.JPG
King Shamshi-Adad (slide show) :http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Shamshi-Adad_V-1.jpg
War Painting (slide show) : http://klimtlover.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/peace-side-of-the-standard-of-ur.jpg
YouTube Video: http://youtu.be/0wSTynm4ZLs
Warfare photo: http://karenswhimsy.com/public-domain-images/ancient-mesopotamia/images/ancient-mesopotamia-2.jpg
Power photo: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I73e2QtEG6k/TGQ7SOzYe0I/AAAAAAAAADg/OnUDg1j_FNo/s1600/horse+meso.JPG
Answers to King Quiz
- d.
- b.
- a.