History of Ancient Babylonia
Ancient Babylonia was a large empire in southern Mesopotamia. It was along the Euphrates river about 50 miles south of modern day Baghdad. The ancient city of Babylon served as the center of Mesopotamian life for over two millennium. Hammurabi created a harsh system of laws, while in later times the Babylonian language would be used across the Middle East as a way of communicating across borders. Another great accomplishment, if the ancient stories are true, is the construction of the Hanging Gardens, which some believe was built by the biblical king Nebuchadnezzar II.
Little is known about the start of the Babylonian empire. Records suggest that the city of Ur started up about 4,000 years ago. This little city was conquered and changed many times. Six rulers before Hammurabi, the city had been turned into a pretty city with a small amount of territory. Hammurabi changed this. He turned this tiny city into a mighty empire.
Once Hammurabi took control of Babylonia, he had to be patient before expanding. Babylon was located between two larger cities, Larsha and Ashur. King Hammurabi didn't want to doom his city. With the death of the King of Ashur, Hammurabi saw and took the chance to expand. After several battles, he also gained control of the city of Larsha. Further battles against cities such as Assyria and Mari expanded his empire even more.
Ultimately, Hammurabi's kingdom would not last and fell into decline when King Hammurabi died. In 1595 B.C., the Hittite ruler Mursili I captured Babylon, bringing the rule of Hammurabi’s successors to a close. Following these events, the people by the name of the Kassities came to power in Babylon. After that, the land was taken over and ruled for many more ages, but the imprint that Hammurabi's code had made still stands today.
Little is known about the start of the Babylonian empire. Records suggest that the city of Ur started up about 4,000 years ago. This little city was conquered and changed many times. Six rulers before Hammurabi, the city had been turned into a pretty city with a small amount of territory. Hammurabi changed this. He turned this tiny city into a mighty empire.
Once Hammurabi took control of Babylonia, he had to be patient before expanding. Babylon was located between two larger cities, Larsha and Ashur. King Hammurabi didn't want to doom his city. With the death of the King of Ashur, Hammurabi saw and took the chance to expand. After several battles, he also gained control of the city of Larsha. Further battles against cities such as Assyria and Mari expanded his empire even more.
Ultimately, Hammurabi's kingdom would not last and fell into decline when King Hammurabi died. In 1595 B.C., the Hittite ruler Mursili I captured Babylon, bringing the rule of Hammurabi’s successors to a close. Following these events, the people by the name of the Kassities came to power in Babylon. After that, the land was taken over and ruled for many more ages, but the imprint that Hammurabi's code had made still stands today.