I need help to compare and contrast the Babylonian and Hittite empires
Read and take notes.
http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-ancient-history/hittite-empire.html
http://www.livius.org/ba-bd/babylon/babylonian_empire.html
These are very great resources for the project, it actually helped me finish out my assignment, you should give it a try. btw, ty
Comparing and contrasting the Babylonian and Hittite empires involves examining various aspects such as their origins, political structures, military capabilities, cultural achievements, and eventual decline. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of their comparison:
1. Origins:
- Babylonian Empire: The Babylonian Empire emerged around the 18th century BCE in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) under the rule of Hammurabi.
- Hittite Empire: The Hittite Empire originated in modern-day Anatolia (Turkey) during the 17th century BCE, with Hattusili I as the first king.
2. Political Structures:
- Babylonian Empire: The Babylonians had a centralized government with Hammurabi ruling as a king with absolute power. Hammurabi's Code, a written legal system, was a notable achievement.
- Hittite Empire: The Hittites had a monarchy, but a council of nobles and priests also played a significant role in decision-making. Their laws were not as codified as the Babylonians.
3. Military Capabilities:
- Babylonian Empire: The Babylonians had a well-organized army, utilizing chariots, infantry, and archers. They also constructed powerful walls to protect their cities.
- Hittite Empire: The Hittites were renowned as formidable warriors and were among the earliest civilizations to use iron weaponry. They had highly skilled chariotry and were known for their military campaigns.
4. Cultural Achievements:
- Babylonian Empire: The Babylonians made substantial contributions to various fields, including mathematics, astronomy, and architecture. They developed a sophisticated system of writing called cuneiform.
- Hittite Empire: The Hittites were skilled astronomers, architects, and metalworkers. They also preserved and adopted the cultural practices of the earlier Mesopotamian civilizations.
5. Relations with Other Empires:
- Babylonian Empire: Babylon had interactions with several neighboring empires, including Assyria and Elam, which alternately formed alliances or waged wars against them.
- Hittite Empire: The Hittites frequently clashed with Egypt, engaging in battles and making peace treaties with the Egyptian pharaohs. They also faced conflicts with the Assyrians and Mitanni.
6. Decline:
- Babylonian Empire: The Babylonian Empire declined due to invasions by other empires, particularly the Assyrians and later the Persians, who conquered Babylon in 539 BCE.
- Hittite Empire: The Hittite Empire faced internal challenges like political instability and external invasions, eventually declining in the 12th century BCE.
By analyzing these various aspects, you can gain a deeper understanding of the similarities and differences between the Babylonian and Hittite empires.
To compare and contrast the Babylonian and Hittite empires, you would need to gather information about both empires and analyze their similarities and differences. Here's how you can get started:
1. Research both empires: Look for reliable sources such as history books, scholarly articles, and reputable websites that provide information specifically about the Babylonian and Hittite empires. Make sure to consider both primary and secondary sources to get a well-rounded understanding.
2. Identify key characteristics: Begin by identifying the main characteristics of each empire. This includes their geographical location, time period, political structure, cultural influences, religious beliefs, military strategies, economic systems, and societal organization. Take notes on important details for each empire separately.
3. Make a comparative list: Create a comparative list or a table to organize your findings. Divide it into sections such as geography, politics, culture, religion, military, economy, and society. Write down the key characteristics for each empire in their respective sections.
4. Compare similarities: Analyze the information you collected and look for similarities between the two empires. For example, both empires were located in the ancient Near East, had a monarchic political structure, and were influenced by Mesopotamian culture. Note down these similarities in your comparative list.
5. Contrast differences: Now, focus on the differences between the Babylonian and Hittite empires. Look for variations in geography, political structures, cultural influences, religious beliefs, military strategies, economic systems, and societal organization. For instance, the Babylonian Empire was located in Mesopotamia and had a code of laws called the Code of Hammurabi, while the Hittite Empire was based in Anatolia and had a significant influence from Hittite religious practices. Document these differences in your comparative list.
6. Analyze significance: After comparing and contrasting the empires, analyze the significance of the similarities and differences you identified. Consider their impact on each empire's development and influence on subsequent civilizations. This analysis will help you draw meaningful conclusions about the similarities and differences between the Babylonian and Hittite empires.
Remember to cite your sources when you use information from external references, and always critically evaluate the reliability and credibility of your sources.