1. The textbook on page 38 of the text (note that the page numbers of the PDF are different by
about nine pages, since the PDF counts the cover of the book and blank pages as pages)
states the following: Starting with the Akkadian Empire, four empires controlled vast
territories in Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent. Over a period of almost 1800 years,
these empires brought together diverse communities, often by military conquest and force.
The empires facilitated trade and spread ideas and culture. Their rulers developed
administrative, military, and other techniques to try to ensure compliance and recognition
of their authority Looking at the Assyrian Empire, why is the use of force to ensure
compliance often ultimately a failure? (Hint: the best response finds an outside source that
discusses a specific example of the failure of Assyria to maintain control!)
2. Why does Gilgamesh treat the goddess Ishtar with such anger and disrespect? (Do research
in scholarly sources, not blogs, textbooks, Wikipedia, or encyclopedias – find article using
JSTOR and READ the source! Do not just give your opinion, since you need to know and
understand the background to answer the question fully!)
3. Hammurabis Code was written for a large urban area. Why would such a setting require
more severe law codes than smaller towns?
4. The article on Hammurabis Code mentions that there are two types of punishment in the
code: retributive and restitutive. Explain the difference between the two.