King Hammurabi of Babylonia
In 1792 BC, the greatest ruler, Hammurabi, of Babylon’s Amorite Dynasty. Using Sargon as a role model, Hammurabi would single-handedly create a new city. He showed up on the borders, mustering an army, ready to battle. He ruled for years, but it was not until the 30th year of rule he decided to emulate Sargon the Great, and build a new empire. Using Sargon as a role model he began to campaign against previously allied neighboring kingdoms whom he had long standing relationships with. He showed up on the borders, mustering an army, ready to battle. His campaigns were distinguished by the growing idea of hostage-taking for ransom. Hammurabi’s conquest extended from the Persian gulf to Syria. His empire was not as big as Sargon’s, but he is still rated as the best empire builder since Sargon. Whereas Sargon relied upon his power, and terror tactics, Hammurabi presented himself in a way that he would be loved. He set up laws that would protect them, not terrorize them. His greatness came from his concern with justice. He erected several monuments in his cities. One of them, a stone slab, known as the Hammurabi Stele, or Hammurabi’s Code. All written in a language of characters known as Cuneiform. The earliest form of writing. If a man brings a murder accusation without evidence, the accuser himself should be put to death. It was, a plan for administering justice. Covering commercial, family, property and slavery laws. A citizen killing a slave warranted a fine, but to kill another citizen, would mean to be killed themselves. Not all humans were considered equal, certainly. But his plan for justice, was, the most sophisticated of the time.
Following Hammurabi’s reign, Southern Mesopotamia came to be known as Babylonia, and Babylon the city to be known as the political, cultural and religious center of all of Mesopotamia. |