The Geographic Setting Mesopotamia was a region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Southwest Asia. Snowmelt from the mountains caused floods along the rivers in spring, bringing rich topsoil that benefited farms, but often bringing great destruction as well. 1 of 3 The Fertile Crescent Section 1: Land Between Two Rivers MapMaster: Mesopotamia

The First Cities Some of the earliest known cities grew in the region of Sumer, at the southern ends of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Each Sumerian city was a separate state. 2 of 3 The Fertile Crescent Section 1: Land Between Two Rivers Discovery School Video: Petra: Secrets of the Red City Sumerian Religion Sumerian cities were crowned by ziggurats, or temples to the main god or goddess of the city. Sumerians were polytheistic. They made food offerings to their gods. Although they were blessed with great wealth, the riches brought warfare between the city-states and also brought foreign conquerors. Section Reading Support Transparency

The Fertile Crescent: Section 1 Section Reading Support Transparency 3 of 3

City-States of Ancient Sumer How did geographic features influence the civilizations of the Fertile Crescent? What were the main features of Sumerian civilization? What advances in learning did the Sumerians make? 3

The Fertile Crescent The Fertile Crescent is the fertile land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The first civilization in the Fertile Crescent was discovered in Mesopotamia, which means land between the rivers The first Sumerian cities emerged in southern Mesopotamia around 3200 B.C. 3

Tigris Now

Euphrates now

Euphrates Now

Worshiped many gods. Believed gods controlled every aspect of life. Saw afterlife as a grim place. Everybody would go into darkness and eat dust. To keep the gods happy, each city built a ziggurat, or pyramid temple. Each state had distinct social hierarchy, or system of ranks. Most people were peasant farmers. Women had legal rights; some engaged in trade and owned property. City-states with hereditary rulers. Ruler led army in war and enforced laws. Complex government with scribes to collect taxes and keep records. RELIGION SOCIAL STRUCTURE GOVERNMENT Sumerian Civilization 3

Ziggurats

Sumerian Advances in Learning Developed cuneiform, believed to be the earliest form of writing. Developed basic algebra and geometry. Made accurate calendars, essential to a farming society. Made the first wheeled vehicles. 3

Cuneiform

Section Assessment The Fertile Crescent was the land located a) along the Nile river. b) between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. c) between the Euphrates and the Nile rivers. d) between the Tigris and the Nile rivers. Most people in Sumerian city-states were a) priests. b) merchants. c) scribes. d) peasant farmers. 3 Want to connect to the World History link for this section? Click Here.Click Here.

3 The Fertile Crescent was the land located a) along the Nile river. b) between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. c) between the Euphrates and the Nile rivers. d) between the Tigris and the Nile rivers. Most people in Sumerian city-states were a) priests. b) merchants. c) scribes. d) peasant farmers. Section 3 Assessment Want to connect to the World History link for this section? Click Here.Click Here.