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Life Under Mesopotamian Empire — Reading Comprehension

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This passage explores the transformation of Mesopotamian life under powerful empires, including Sargon’s Akkadian Empire and Hammurabi’s Babylon. Students will learn about the shift from independent city-states to centralized imperial rule, the impact on government, social structure, and daily life, and the lasting contributions such as Hammurabi’s Code. The passage uses key academic vocabulary and references primary sources like cuneiform tablets and archaeological evidence. Activities include a multiple-choice quiz, writing prompts, timeline, and graphic organizers to support comprehension and analysis. The content aligns with CA HSS 6.2 and CCSS RH.6-8.2, making it suitable for history and ELA integration. Includes read aloud audio and Spanish translation for accessibility.

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"Assyrian empire 750 625" by William Robert Shepherd / Wikimedia Commons

Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, experienced dramatic changes as powerful empires emerged and replaced independent city-states. These shifts affected every part of daily life, from government to social order and the rights of ordinary people.

In the early period, Mesopotamia was made up of city-states like Ur, Uruk, and Lagash. Each city-state had its own ruler, laws, and customs. Priests and kings held power, and cuneiform tablets show that people traded goods, built large temples called ziggurats, and depended on the rivers for farming. This system allowed for innovation, but city-states often fought each other for land and resources. Archaeological evidence from the Royal Tombs of Ur reveals the wealth and complexity of Sumerian society, but also frequent warfare.

The rise of empires began around 2334 BCE with Sargon of Akkad. Sargon conquered many city-states and created the first known empire in history, the Akkadian Empire. He established a central government and appointed loyal officials to rule distant lands. This unified administration helped spread the Akkadian language and culture across Mesopotamia. According to ancient inscriptions, Sargon boasted of ruling "from the lower sea to the upper sea," referring to the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean. However, maintaining control over such a vast area was difficult. The Akkadian Empire eventually collapsed due to rebellion and invasion.

Later, Babylon, under King Hammurabi (ruled 1792–1750 BCE), created another powerful empire. Hammurabi is famous for his code of laws, which was inscribed on a stone stele. The Code of Hammurabi listed nearly 300 laws and punishments, showing the importance of order in imperial rule. These laws covered everything from property disputes to trade and family life. Archaeological finds like the Stele of Hammurabi provide primary evidence of how imperial governments used written law to control society. Under empires, social hierarchy became more rigid, with kings, priests, merchants, and laborers occupying specific classes.

The rise of empires brought both benefits and challenges. Centralized rule allowed for large-scale projects, like irrigation canals and road networks, and helped protect people from outside threats. However, it also meant less independence for local communities and sometimes harsh treatment of conquered peoples. Over time, the traditions of Mesopotamian empires influenced neighboring regions, spreading ideas such as written laws and taxation systems.

Today, historians use cuneiform tablets, monumental art, and archaeological remains to study the changes that empires brought to Mesopotamia. These sources reveal a society that was constantly adapting to new rulers and ideas, shaping the foundations of later civilizations.

Interesting Fact: The Code of Hammurabi is one of the oldest surviving law codes in the world, and its phrase "an eye for an eye" has influenced legal ideas for thousands of years.

Who created the first empire in Mesopotamia?

Sargon of AkkadHammurabiGilgameshNebuchadnezzar

What is the Code of Hammurabi?

A set of lawsA templeA riverA city

What did city-states often fight over?

Land and resourcesLanguagesMythsRoads

How did empires affect social hierarchy?

Made it more rigidDestroyed itIgnored itMade everyone equal

What was an effect of centralized rule?

Large-scale projectsFewer taxesNo written lawsLess farming

Why did the Akkadian Empire collapse?

Rebellion and invasionFloodsLack of tradeEarthquakes