World History: April 20th-24th
A closer look at Hammurabi's Code:
1. Let's look at law number 8. Read it out loud to yourself or a family member. What does this law mean? Should a law like this still exist today? If it would exist today what is a real life example of it? Here is mine: If someone were to steal the president's car the thief must pay thirty times that its cost as penalty. Continue this process with the rest of the laws.
2. Here is a good informational video that explains
Hammurabi's Code a little better
Ancient Egypt
1. Watch
Engineering an Empire Egypt and answer the questions in the viewing guide found in the document container below.
2. Try your luck at deciphering ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics. Find the document below in the document container.
The Assyrians
The Assyrians are known for their brutal torture tactics. Read the following quotes from Assyrian soldiers during times of war.
“In strife and conflict I besieged [and] conquered the city. I felled 3,000 of their fighting men with the sword ... I captured many troops alive: I cut off of some their arms [and] hands; I cut off of others their noses, ears, [and] extremities. I gouged out the eyes of many troops. I made one pile of the living [and] one of heads. I hung their heads on trees around the city.” †
“I felled 50 of their fighting men with the sword, burnt 200 captives from them, [and] defeated in a battle on the plain 332 troops. ... With their blood I dyed the mountain red like red wool, [and] the rest of them the ravines [and] torrents of the mountain swallowed. I carried off captives [and] possessions from them. I cut off the heads of their fighters [and] built [therewith] a tower before their city. I burnt their adolescent boys [and] girls.”
“Nabû-ushabshi, their king, I hung up in front of the gate of his city on a stake. His land, his wife, his sons, his daughters, his property, the treasure of his palace, I carried off. Bit- Amukâni I trampled down like a threshing (sledge). All of its people, (and) its goods, I took to Assyria.”
The Assyrians found these actions to be just normal wartime tactics we consider them torture now a days. Based on these quotes define what war must of meant to an Ancient Assyrian soldier and explain why in today's society that idea of war is not acceptable anymore? How do you think American's would react today if the American Military used those tactics in conflicts today? Share your thoughts with me.
Also, this an interesting article and video about the Assyrian Empire.