''Ten points for Gryffindor. That is correct. The Sumer Empire, which was, as all of them, except Egypt, founded in Mesopotamia, between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, was one of the first stable empires. The time span of its existence is not so important. What you need to know is that they had a stable and centralized reign, a division between the classes and a over-developed religious system. They were polytheistic and their religious were Ziggurats, a type of pyramid, although we will not define it as a pyramid, because it isn't. The empire fell apart, and made place for the second empire - The Akkad Empire. The Sumers are also famous for the construction of the first wheel, for the first writing system and for the first adequately constructed streets.
The Akkadians were warloving people, so to say. Their most famous ruler, Sargon, made many conquests and managed to conquer a lot of territory. Sargon is also famous for his mask, which is considered the first portrait in history. You have a picture in your text-books.
The Hittites were also extremely aggressive. The main motto of their country was war and conquest. Their capital was the town of Hatusha, famous for the Lion gates, which will be later built in Ancient Greece. Their empire did not last that long.
The Asirians, which were also very aggressive, were named after their initial capital Assur. Other famous cities include Ur and Uruk and they also had a famous library in the town of Niniva. Their most important leader was Ashurbanipal, who expanded the empire greatly. After him, the empire began to fall. Their final defeat was in 612 BC, when they lost to the Babylonians in the battle of Niniva.
The Babylonians, although older then some, are brought up now because of their vast importance. Their historical importance is second only to the Egyptian. They had two empires, the first beginning about 1800 BC, and the second from 612 BC. The first was marked by Hammurabi's rule and his famous law book The Code of Hammurabi, which marked the beginning of familiar and state law. The New Babylonian Empire was founded in 612 BC, after the fall of Niniva by Nabopolassar. Their most famous leader was not him, thought. It was the famous Nebuchadnezzar II, famous for his conquest and the Ishtar Gate. He is also credited with the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Their last emperor was Nabonidus, after whom the empire disappeared.
There were also several other civilizations, such as the Phoenician State, Israel, China and India, oh yes, and Persia, but I will not trouble you with details about them.
Regarding Egypt, it was initially divided into two states - Upper and Lower Egypt. Each of the two states had their own ruler and symbol, but that lasted only until 3100 BC, when the pharaoh Menes, or Narmer, united the two states into one Egyptian Kingdom. I presume you know that they were polytheistic, that they had pharaohs as head of state and that they had their own writing system - the hieroglyphs. The hieroglyphs were deciphered by Napoleon's associate during his conquest of Egypt, Jean-François Champollion. The Egyptian Kindgom was divided into three periods - The Old Kingdom, The Middle Kingdom and The New Kingdom, each of the interrupted by an interregnum. The Old Kingdom was nothing special, it marked the expansion and the internal growth of Egypt. The first interregnum was marked by the attempt of many small ''politicians'', so to call them, to take power. The pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom restored the country's prosperity and stability, thereby stimulating a resurgence of art, literature, and monumental building projects. Its military strength was crushed by the Hyksos, who used bronze weapons, which gave them a big advantage. But soon, Tuthmosis I managed to organize a rebellion and establish the New Kingdom, which was mainly marked by strong internal conflicts at the beginning. First, queen Hatshepsut managed to expand the empire further. But then, the unstable and crazy Akhenaten tired to organize a religious reform, making him the only god, but all of that broke and his reign fell apart. He was succeeded by the young Tutankhamun, who is most famous for his golden mask and the legend of his tomb. Next, the aggressive Ramesid dynasty managed to weaken the New Kingdom, especially after Ramses' II loss at the battle of Kadesh in 1272 BC. Never has Egypt regained its strength after that loss and it was, finally, occupied by the Romans in 30 BC, after their loss in the battle of Actium. Their last queen was Cleopatra, who committed suicide after the loss in that battle.
And that concludes today's lesson. The two of you will get an O and a homework assignment. At least 3 paragraphs about Egyptian Mythology. Your Homework is due to 28 NOVEMBER. Who does not present it to me, receives and T. Class dismissed.'', WIlson said.
by 
