Polytheistic, worshiping many gods. The gods controlled natural forces.

Nature was uncertain and harsh, so the gods were unpredictable and mean. Enki Innana

T hey devoted a lot of effort and wealth to constructing monumental architecture that was religious. Ziggurats,” large stepped pyramids with temple on top.

They believed that people were caught in an inherently disorderly world without much hope of a blessed life beyond. The dead simply turned to dust.

They created the worlds first writing system, called “cuneiform.” The development of writing allowed governments to become more formal and bureaucratic.

One purpose that writing served was to keep track of who paid their taxes to the state. Sumerian civilization was the first to produce written law code.

Writing also led to history and myths. The Epic of Gilgamesh, king of Uruk and his quest for immortality. Oldest written story.

When Enkidu tells Gilgamesh about a dream he had featuring “the house whose people sit in darkness; dust is their food and clay their meat” he is describing the afterlife.

Created a number system based on units of 60.

An agricultural surplus led to a “division of labor” where many engaged in work other than producing food.

Traded extensively, not only throughout the region of Mesopotamia but transregionally with other civilizations. Over land with Egypt and by sea with the Indus valley. Map Showing interaction of the Early River Valley Civilizations

Nobles Middle Class Hired Workers Slaves Specialized labor and wealth led to distinctions between classes. “Social stratification” a social hierarchy.

The emergence of large- scale warfare with professionally led armies is one reason for the development of a patriarchal society, male dominated.

Women were defined largely by their relationship to a man. Women from the upper classes were expected to stay at home, while women from the lower classes had to go out in public to work.

One expression of patriarchy was that females were regulated sexuality.

Babylonians conquer Mesopotamia (1900 B.C.E.).Babylonians conquer Mesopotamia (1900 B.C.E.). Babylon was capital city.Babylon was capital city. First empire, controlling entire Fertile Crescent.First empire, controlling entire Fertile Crescent.

Hammurabi, most power king.

Code of Hammurabi; first written laws in the history. Based on concept that the punishment should fit the crime

The Code stipulated different punishments for the same crime based on the perpetrator’s social standing in relation to the victim.

Hammurabi claimed that his law code was inspired by Marduk, the chief god of Babylon, showing the relationship between religion and government

Devised a lunar calendar with 12 months of 28 days. Astronomy, the study of objects outside the Earth’s atmosphere, was linked to religious practices of fortune-telling and astrology, predicting the future by studying movements of the stars and planets. Created the twelve zodiac symbols.

Occupied parts of present-day Lebanon, Israel, and Jordon (3000 B.C.E.). Developed trade network across the Mediterranean Sea. Creating the city of Carthage, in North Africa.

Developed an alphabetic script, a system of symbols (letters) that represent the sounds of speech. The 22-letter alphabet was later modified by the Greeks and Romans.

Lived in the region of Canaan, present-day Israel and Palestine.Lived in the region of Canaan, present-day Israel and Palestine.

Judaism was inspired by Abraham who left Mesopotamia to settle in Canaan (2000 B.C.E.).Judaism was inspired by Abraham who left Mesopotamia to settle in Canaan (2000 B.C.E.). Monotheistic religion (belief in one God).Monotheistic religion (belief in one God). An understanding of God as engaged in history and demanding social justice is a feature of Judaism's’ conception of the divine.An understanding of God as engaged in history and demanding social justice is a feature of Judaism's’ conception of the divine.

Migrate to Egypt where they were enslaved for several centuries. Led out of Egypt by Moses and returned to Canaan (1300 B.C.E.). Moses introduced the Ten Commandments, a code of conduct.

Judaism emphasized the power and abstraction of God.

Divided into two separate kingdoms. They were conquered by the Assyrians and the Babylonians, and enslaved again.

Starts the Jewish diaspora, the spreading of Jews throughout the known world. Returned to Jerusalem, their capital city, only after the Persians conquered the Babylonian Empire (539 B.C.E.).

That concludes Mesopotamia. Any questions before the quiz on the next slide?