Chapter 6 – The Four Empires of Mesopotamia

Name_______________

Doodle Notes - IntroDirections: Work with your table group – what do you think were some of the greatest achievements or accomplishments in the past 20 years. For doodle notes, you can either draw or write. If you draw a picture, just make sure you label it.

Doodle Notes - IntroDirections: Read section 6.1 Intro and look at the time line and maps on the previous page. Discuss the answers with a partner and record your answers to each question in the space below. Write the number that of each question next to your drawing or answer.

1. How does the size of an empire compare with the size of a city-state?

2. Which empires on the map ruled Mesopotamia the earliest? The latest?

3. Which of the empires controlled the largest amount of territory?

4. What achievements might have helped this empire gain so much land?

Directions: you must have each step initialed by Mrs. Niland before you can go on to the next step.Steps for Creating a Mechanical DioramaWork with your group to create a mechanical diorama about your Mesopotamian empire. Inthe mechanical diorama, you will position yourselves like statues. Tape a red “Start” buttonto the right arm of one member in the diorama. These parts of your diorama will “come alive” and speak when members of the audience push the “Start” buttons.____ Step 1: Learn about your empire and complete your Reading Notes.Open your book to Chapter 6 and take turns reading aloud the two sections about yourempire. Complete the corresponding Doodle Notes in your packet. Be certain everyone in the group can describe two important achievements of this empire.____ Step 2: Brainstorm your mechanical diorama and create a rough sketch.• Your diorama will bring to life your empire’s two achievements that you illustrated andexplained in your Reading Notes.

• Everyone in your group must have a part in the diorama. Two group members will bring to life one achievement, and two members will focus on the other achievement.• Each pair will come to life by making simple movements and giving a short speech. Pairsmay use props and costumes to help the audience understand what achievement is beingdemonstrated and why it is important.• After you have finished brainstorming, use a separate sheet of paper to make a rough sketch of what your diorama will look like. Draw and label where each person will be positioned in the scene and which achievement they will be describing.____ Step 3: Determine the props and costumes for the mechanical diorama. Each pair in the diorama can hold props or wear costumes that will help the audience better understand the achievement that that pair represents. On a separate sheet of paper, describe the props and/or costumes for each pair, and list who is responsible for making or bringing in each item.____ Step 4: Write a script for each person in the mechanical diorama.• Each pair in the diorama must take turns moving and speaking when a member of theaudience pushes their red “Start” button. Each person should write what he or she will say.• One person will use 2–4 sentences to explain the achievement. This person speaks first.• The other person will use 2–4 sentences to explain the importance of the achievement.That person speaks second.____ Step 5: Practice your mechanical diorama. Be certain all group members know where and how they will be positioned in the diorama. Have each member of the diorama practice how he or she will move and speak after the pair’s “Start” button is pushed. Make sure all members of the group have memorized their speeches.____ Step 6: Present your mechanical diorama.• Have the first speaker in each pair tape a red circle to his or her right arm. Each member of the diorama should stay motionless until the “Start” button for his or her pair is pushed.• Then each member of that pair will come to life, perform actions and speak to the audience, and return to a frozen position.• At the conclusion of your presentation, audience members will take notes about what they have seen. The diorama should remain motionless during this time. If an audience member has a question about information that was presented, then he or she may push a “Start” button again, and that pair in the diorama will come to life and can answer questions.Sketch of Mechanical Diorama for _______________________ Empire

Props/Costumes for Mechanical Diorama for ___________________ Empire

Prop Achievement prop used Person Responsible for

for making or bringing in prop

Doodle Notes for Akkadian EmpireDirections: Read 6.2 and 6.3 and answer the following questions.

1. Around what year did the Akkadians conquer the Sumerian city-states and who was their first leader? Around 2300 BCE, the Akkadians conquered the Sumerian city-states and their first leader was Sargon.

2. How long did the Akkadian Empire last? When did it fall?After about 200 years, the Akkadian Empire fell to invaders from the north.

Watch the Akkadian Empire mechanical diorama and draw and label or write two military achievement and two cultural achievement of the Akkadian Empire. Tell why each achievement was important.

Doodle Notes for Babylonian EmpireDirections: Read 6.4 and 6.5 and answer the following questions.

military achievements:

he assembled a large army taught his soldiers to fight in tight formations

This was significant because he created the world’s first empire.

cultural achievements:

their language replaced the Sumerian language art – created steles - skillful 3-dimensional sculptures that celebrated

achievements

This was significant because we learn about life in Akkadian empire through these steles.

1. Who was the next king to unite Mesopotamians after the fall of the Akkadian Empire and where was his capital city?

The next king of Mesopotamia was Hammurabi and his capital city was Babylonia.

2. What rights did slaves and women have under Babylonian law?Slaves had some rights, they could work and keep their wages. Women could own property and keep money of their own.

Watch the Babylonian Empire mechanical diorama and draw and label or write two political achievement and two economic achievement of the Babylonian Empire. Tell why each achievement was important.

Doodle Notes for Assyrian EmpireDirections: Read 6.6 and 6.7 and answer the following questions.

political achievements:

Hammurabi’s code of laws to unify his empire and preserve order taught his soldiers to fight in tight formations

This was significant because they were the first set f laws to apply to everyone.

economic achievements:

maintained irrigation systems so land remained fertile and enough food for everyone

became an important center of trade

This was significant because agriculture and trade flourished under Hammurabi.

1. Where was Assyria located? Using the map in your book, describe the areas the Assyrian Empire conquered.

Assyria lay to the north of Babylon. The Assyrians empire stretched from Egypt to the Persian Gulf.

2. How long did the Assyrian Empire last? Why did it fall?It was conquered in 612 BCE by the Babylonians, Scythians, and Medes

Watch the Assyrian Empire mechanical diorama and draw and label or write two military achievement and two cultural achievement of the Assyrian Empire. Tell why each achievement was important.

Doodle Notes for Neo-Babylonian EmpireDirections: Read 6.8 and 6.9 and answer the following questions.

1. Which group of people regained control of the lands of Mesopotamians after the Assyrians? Who was their famous king?

military achievements:

perfected the use of horses and iron weapons in battle greatly skilled at siege warfare – camp outside a city and repeatedly attack used battering rams moveable towers that rolled up to a city’s walls created fear among their enemies

This was significant because they created a large empire due to their military skill.

cultural achievements:

built beautiful palaces built some of first aqueducts to carry water 2 dimensional sculptures called bas-reliefs used ivory to decorate

This was significant because they lived a sophisticated lifestyle but ultimately became too big to control.

The Neo-Babylonians conquered the Assyrians and their most famous king was Nebuchadrezzar II.

2. How long did the Neo-Babylonian Empire last? Why did it fall?

The Neo-Babylonian Empire lasted 75 years. In 539 BCE it was conquered by the Persian Empire under King Cyrus.Watch the Neo-Babylonian Empire mechanical diorama and draw and label or write two military achievement and two cultural achievement of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Tell why each achievement was important.

military achievements:

inner and outer wall built around the city towers for archers to stand on were placed on walls moat built around the city

This was significant because he kept the city of Babylonia safe.

cultural achievements:

rebuilt Ziggurats created Hanging Gardens of Babylonia skilled in mathematics and astronomy created first sundial

This was significant because they lived a sophisticated lifestyle but ultimately became too big to control.