SLIDESHOW of Babylon

GOVERNANCE

The society was governed by an absolute monarch, the king, who was active in all fields of life, both as a legislator, judge, administrator and warlord. He was directly in charge of governing the system below him, and appointed directly his closest coworkers, the governors. Local administration around the country was performed by mayors and councils of elders.
The courts of Babylonia were central for justice in Babylonia. Each court had between 1 and 4 judges, and appeals could only be directed towards the king. Punishment varied from capital punishment and mutilation to flogging, reduction to slavery and banishment. A large part of the rulings involved indemnities, where the fine varied from 3 to 30 times the value of the object to be restored.

SOCIETY

The Babylonian society was roughly divided into three classes: awilu (upper class), musheknu (free, but of little means) and wardu (slaves). All groups were protected by law, and enjoyed a minimum of rights. All groups (also the wardu, slaves) could engage in business and borrow money. However, there were differences between all classes in all fields, and many of the differences were fixed in the laws. All evidence tell us that the Babylonian society did not change much through its 1,200 years of existence.
Slaves were either life-time slaves or slaves for a limited period of time. In the situations where people were slaves for only a limited period of time, we're talking about free people. Free citizens could become slaves, either as a punishment for certain offences, or children or wives could be sold as slaves by their parents. Slaves were not protected by any laws in their relationship to their owners, but it is believed that they were treated well, since a healthy slave could work harder and better. Slaves could buy their own freedom, or they could get their freedom by marrying a free person. The average price for a grown up male slave would correspond to about US$300- 400 in today's values.
The upper class, awilus, were governments officials, priests, wealthy landowners and the richer part of the traders. This group owned much of Babylonia's land, while the other group of great landowner were the temples.
The other group of free people, the musheknus were craftsmen clerks and farmers.
One of the differences between the free classes of awilus and mushkenus were that the awilus could claim higher compensation for injuries inflicted upon him/her. But if he/she inflicted injuries upon others, he also had to pay a higher fine.
Marriages were arranged by parents, and it was expected that the groom presented a gift to the father of the bride. The marriage was concluded by a contract inscribed on a tablet. The woman had some rights in the marriage, she could have property and engage in business. But it was the man who enjoyed most rights in the marriage: he could easily divorce his wife, and marry a second if the first did not give him children.

ECONOMY and CULTURE

The most important industry of Babylonia, was agriculture, but other industries were fairly well developed too. Babylonia was involved in foreign trade, and exported manufactured goods, while the country had to import metal, wood and stone — materials that the country lacked.
Babylonian cities resemble to some extent the modern village in the Middle East. Most houses were only one-storey high, and built of mud bricks. They had no windows towards the street, and there were several rooms arranged around an inner courtyard. Inside the house, one of the rooms could be devoted to the gods. Family members were often buried in the ground of the house, together with items that were intended to help them in the afterlife.
The public and monumental architecture of the Babylonians, involved often using mud bricks as well, but in some respects the their skilled developed to a high level. For example did they use a specific technique of making all straight lines slightly curved, so that hard lines would appear softer. Stil, the eye would not discover the curve.
The Babylonians inherited much of their technology from the Sumerians, mainly in irrigation and agriculture, the most important fields in national economy. In order to govern agriculture, they had to be able to make maps, surveys, plans and do calculations. They used a fairly well developed mathematical system, which had 6 as the root number, not 10 as we have now. In order to be well prepared for different seasons, when there was a chance of flood, or little water, they needed almanacs. These were used to their details, and relied upon a good calendar system developed by the Sumerians.
Other fields that saw some sort of development, were inside cosmetics, perfumery, medicine and pharmacology.

HISTORY
The earlier history of Babylonia is normally connected to the one of Sumer, the land of city-states that covered the same part of Mesopotamia as Babylonia.
The rise of Babylonia must not be understood as the rise of a new region and people. It rather involved that old Sumer came under effective control of one city only, Babylon. The first year of reign for Hammurabi is generally considered as the beginning of Babylonia's history, but its exact dating is uncertain. There are 3 chronological systems for the ancient Middle East, and according to these, Hammurabi's first year is either 1848 BCE, 1792 BCE or 1728 BCE. The middle of these is used by most publications.
Around 1900 BCE: The Semitic tribe Amorites, conquers most of Mesopotamia, and establishes their kings in Babylon.
1792 BCE: With Hammurabi's accession to power as king of Babylonia, the kingdom starts to become an important power in the region.
1760s: Hammurabi wins important victories against Babylonia's neighbours, principally Elam and Larsa. The kingdom rises to one of the regions most important powers.
Last half 18th century: Babylonian civilization continues its progress under king Samsu-iluna (1750- 1712 BCE), son of Hammurabi. His strongest opponents are the Kassites and the Sea-Land under the leadership of Iluma-ilum.
17th century: Babylonia declines in power and territory under less apt rulers.
Approx. 1595: The Hittites attacks Babylonia, and loots the kingdom and removes king Samsuditana from power. Babylonia was so weakened that it for a period fell to the Sea-Land.
Around 1600: Babylon is sacked by the Kassites, who takes control over the kingdom. From this followed a 400 year period of growth and prosperity for the region. This was also a period of great cultural achievements, and one of the most impressive literary works, the Enuma Elish belongs to it.
Around 1350: The Assyrians start to exercise their politics towards Babylonia, but do not conquer the country.
Around 1160 The Elamites conquer Babylonia, and loot the cities.
Around 1120: With king Nebuchadnezzar 1, Babylonia is revived. Under him, the kingdom attacks both Elam and Assyria.
11th century: After Nebuchadnezzar 1's death, Babylonia went into a period of political chaos, that would last for about 200 years.
9th century: The Chaldeans take control over Babylonia, and they revive Babylonia, and make it into the dominant power in Mesopotamia.
8th century: Many bitter wars are fought against Assyria.
Approx. 625: The Chaldean king, Nabopolassar, makes Babylon his capital, and a new great era starts for Babylonia.
612: In an alliance with the Medes, the Babylonian king Nabopalassar (626- 605 BCE), defeats Assyria, and brings the kingdom to a final end.
605: King Nebuchadnezzar 2 wins a desisive victory against the Egyptians at Carchemish — Egypt had up until then performed many campaigns in the region after the fall of Assyria. During his reign, Babylonia becomes a new great power, politically and culturally.
562: Following the death of Nebuchadnezzar 2, there was a power struggle between several contenders for the throne. This resulted in a weaker Babylonia.
539: After capturing king Nabonidus of Babylonia, Persia is able to conquer Babylon without meeting resistance. Babylonia was annexed into Persia. This represent the end of what we call Babylonia, but much of the culture and most of the cities survived for some centures more.