Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia Chapter 2, Section 1

Fertile Crescent The area between the _____ and ________ Rivers is known as Mesopotamia, or _____________________ Stretches from the ________________and the_______ _______

Fertile Crescent ___________ in this area, but ___________ When the rivers flood, it leaves behind mineral rich _____ The people would depend on the river to flood, so they could ___________

Fertile Crescent They used _________ and __________ to control the flooding of the river This allowed them to grow vast amounts of food for their cities There were three main areas where people farmed: ___________________________ These people were known as the _______________

The Growth of Religion The ___________ affected how the Mesopotamians viewed the world Harsh climates, floods, and famines convinced the people that there were ______________ at work. “The rampant flood which no man can oppose, Which shakes the heavens and causes the earth to tremble, In an appalling blanket folds mother and child, And drowns the harvest in its time of ripeness” – __________________

Mesopotamians were ______________ This meant that they believed in ______________ The Mesopotamians had over ______ gods and goddesses Gods and Goddesses controlled everything and humans were supposed to serve them

City-States There were ______ major city-states in Mesopotamia They were: ____________________ These _________ were the basis of Sumerian society

Sumerian Cities _____ was the largest of their cities Had a wall ______ long and an estimated population of ________ Built of __________

At the center of each city was a ______with a temple on top Ziggurat – __________________ The gods and goddesses lived in these temples and owned the entire city

Sumerian government was a __________ Theocracy – ______________________________ In other words, the _________ were the most powerful people in the cities

Economy and Society Based primarily on _________ Traded a good bit as well, mainly their ________ Famed for their gold, copper, and silver jewelry and copper tools

Developed ______ (mixture of tin and copper) Traded with _______________________ ________________

Society was broken down into three categories: 1. ____________________ 2. ____________________________________ 3. ______ _____of the population were _______

Writing and Literature Around 3000 BCE developed first known form of ____ Called ___________ Cunneiform – used a reed tool to scratch shapes and symbols into clay tablets Only ________ boys would learn to write

The Epic of Gilgamesh Most famous work of literature is the Epic of Gilgamesh Epic ________ Records the exploits of a _______________, who is part man and ____.

Akkadian and Babylonian Empires _________ led the Akkadians and conquered the Sumerians around 2340 BCE Was the first known _________ in the world However in 1792 was destroyed by the _________ ________, led by ____________

The Code of Hammurabi First set of written laws Created to simplify the law system of Babylon Based on the fundamental principle of “______________________ _____” Reinforced a __________society (one dominated by the oldest man in the family)