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| Country of Akkad 𒆳𒌵𒆠 | |
|---|---|
| 1894 BCE–1595 BCE | |
 Map of Babylonia at the start (dark) and end (light) of ʿAmmurāpi's reign | |
| Capital | Bābilim |
| Official languages | Akkadian |
| Common languages | Amorite Sumerian |
| Dominant mode of production | Slavery |
| Government | Monarchy |
| History | |
• Established | 1894 BCE |
• Dissolution | 1595 BCE |
The Country of Akkad, commonly known as the Old Babylonian Empire or First Babylonian Empire, was an ancient Mesopotamian kingdom established by the Amorites (Amurrūm). It was weakened and eventually collapsed due to invasions from the Hittite, Hurrian, and Kassite tribes.[1]
History[edit | edit source]
At the end of the Third Dynasty of Ur, Amorites and Elamites conquered Mesopotamia. They formed kingdoms based in the cities of Isin and Larsa. In 1894 BCE, Amorites seized the northern part of Isin and created a new kingdom with its capital at Babylon (Bābilim).[1]
In 1785 BCE, King ʿAmmurāpi conquered Unug and Isin with the support of Rimenzu, the Elamite ruler of Larsa. He overthrew the son of the Assyrian king Šamšīaddu, who was ruling over Mari, and installed Zimrilim as king. In 1762 BCE, ʿAmmurāpi turned against Rimenzu and conquered Larsa. Two years later, he defeated Zimrilim and destroyed his palace. By the end of his reign in 1750 BCE, he ruled a large kingdom that included Aššur, Ešnunna, and Mari.[1]
Šamšuiluna, the son of ʿAmmurāpi, fought against the Kassite tribes living north of Elam. The Kassite king Gandaš invaded Babylonia in 1742 BCE and occupied the foothills in the northeast of the country. Later in his reign, Šamšuiluna fought against an alliance of Elam, Ešnunna, Isin, and Unug.[1]
King Ammisaduqa (1646–1626 BCE) cancelled the debts of Babylon's citizens and freed debt slaves.[1]
In 1594 BCE, the Hittite ruler Mursili looted Babylon. After the Hittites left, the Kassites conquered the country and established a new dynasty.[1]
Economy[edit | edit source]
Unlike in previous dynasties, many individuals owned small plots of land. Improved bronze tools appeared in agriculture in the early second millennium BCE, and the irrigation network expanded. Craftsmen existed, including blacksmiths, builders, carpenters, and shipbuilders.[1]
Law[edit | edit source]
ʿAmmurāpi created a legal code with 282 articles that covered civil, criminal, and administrative law. It was the most advanced set of laws until the Roman code of Ioustinianos more than 2,000 years later and was studied in schools until the first century CE. ʿAmmurāpi's code acknowledged the concept of guilt and intent and had different punishments for murder and manslaughter.[1]
The code divided people into full citizens (literally called "husband's sons"), free men with fewer rights (muškēnum), and slaves. Mutilation of citizens was punished with equal physical retaliation, but mutilation of muškēnum was only punished by a fine. Physicians who committed malpractice lost their hand if the patient was a citizen but only had to pay a fine if the patient was a slave. People who stole the property of a muškēnum had to pay ten times its value as a fine, and people who stole from the king or temples had to pay thirtyfold. If the robber was not found, the community had to pay back the damages. Slaves who refused to obey their owners were harshly punished, and people who stole or hid slaves were executed.[1]
Debtors who could not pay became the slaves of their creditor for three years and were then freed. The deadline for paying back debt was extended by a year if the debtor's crops were destroyed by a natural disaster. People who leased land for agriculture had to pay back one third of the harvest from a field or two-thirds from a garden. Soldiers received land from the king which they passed on to their children and could not be lost due to debt.[1]
All marriages required a written contract. Adultery for women was punishable by death unless her husband forgave her. Male adultery was only illegal if it involved the wife of another free man. Fathers had to teach their sons their craft and could only disinherit them if they committed crimes.[1]