Ep 14. War and Society in Hammurabi's Time

In episode 14 of season 1 of Ancient Mesopotamia: Life in the Cradle of Civilization, titled War and Society in Hammurabi's Time, we learn about the role of warfare in ancient Mesopotamia during the time of Hammurabi, a Babylonian king who ruled in the 18th century BCE. Hammurabi is perhaps most famous for his law code, which is one of the earliest known sets of laws in human history. However, Hammurabi was also a military leader who engaged in numerous wars and battles during his reign.

The episode begins by exploring the relationship between warfare and society in ancient Mesopotamia. We learn that, for the ancient Mesopotamians, warfare was seen as an essential part of life. It was not only a means of expanding territory and acquiring resources, but it was also seen as a way to gain honor and prestige. Warriors were highly respected members of society, and they often held positions of power and influence.

The episode then takes a closer look at some of the key wars and battles that Hammurabi fought during his reign. We learn about his campaigns against the neighboring Elamites, who were a powerful kingdom located to the east of Babylon. The Elamites were a formidable foe, and they put up significant resistance to Hammurabi's forces. However, Hammurabi was ultimately able to defeat them and bring their territory under Babylonian rule.

We also learn about Hammurabi's campaigns in the west, where he fought against the Amorites, a group of people who had been causing trouble for Babylon for many years. Hammurabi's forces were able to conquer many Amorite cities, and he eventually established control over a large swath of western Mesopotamia.

Throughout the episode, we see how warfare impacted society in ancient Mesopotamia. We learn about the logistics of supplying armies during wartime, and we see how victory in battle could lead to increased wealth and prestige for the ruling class. We also see how warfare could be devastating for ordinary people, who were often caught in the crossfire and forced to flee their homes.

Overall, War and Society in Hammurabi's Time is a fascinating look at the role of warfare in ancient Mesopotamia and the impact it had on society. We learn about one of the most famous military leaders of the time, and we see how his campaigns helped to shape the region's history for centuries to come.