“Starting with the Akkadian Empire, four empires controlled vast territories in Mesopotamia

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“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. Hammurabi’s 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 Hammurabi’s Code mentions that there are two types of punishment in the
code: retributive and restitutive. Explain the difference between the two.

 

Sample Solution

The Assyrian Empire’s reliance on force to maintain control ultimately proved to be a failure due to its unsustainable nature and the resentment it generated among conquered peoples.

The Assyrians were renowned for their brutal military campaigns and the use of terror to subjugate conquered territories. However, this approach was unsustainable as it fostered resentment and resistance among the subject populations. The constant need to suppress rebellions and maintain control drained the empire’s resources and weakened its military power.

A notable example of the failure of Assyrian military might is the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BCE. Despite their formidable army, the Assyrians were decisively defeated by a coalition of Babylonian, Median, and Scythian forces. This defeat marked the beginning of the Assyrian Empire’s decline and eventual fall.

  1. Gilgamesh and Ishtar

Gilgamesh’s rejection of Ishtar’s advances is rooted in his disillusionment with love and mortality.

Ishtar, the goddess of love and war, offers Gilgamesh eternal life and power in exchange for his love. However, Gilgamesh, having witnessed the death of his best friend Enkidu, is wary of the seductive power of immortality and the potential consequences of accepting Ishtar’s offer. He fears that immortality might lead to complacency and a loss of purpose, and he rejects Ishtar’s proposal out of pride and a desire to maintain his free will.

  1. Hammurabi’s Code and Urban Law Codes

Hammurabi’s Code required more severe laws for a large urban area due to the increased complexity and potential for conflict in such a setting.

Urban areas, with their larger populations and diverse social structures, are more likely to experience a higher degree of crime, property disputes, and social unrest. To maintain order and prevent chaos, Hammurabi’s Code implemented stricter punishments for offenses such as theft, assault, and murder. These harsher penalties were necessary to deter crime and maintain social stability in a complex urban environment.

  1. Retributive and Restitutive Punishments in Hammurabi’s Code
  • Retributive punishment: This type of punishment focuses on inflicting pain or suffering on the offender as a form of retribution for their crime. It is based on the principle of “an eye for an eye” and aims to exact revenge.
  • Restitutive punishment: This type of punishment focuses on restoring the victim to their original state or compensating them for their losses. It is based on the principle of making the offender responsible for the harm they have caused and aims to rectify the situation.

Hammurabi’s Code included both retributive and restitutive punishments, reflecting the Babylonian legal system’s emphasis on both retribution and restoration.

 

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