Mesopotamia Lies between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Part of the “fertile crescent”- area of rich farmland

7,000 yrs ago- first farm settlements Annual floods deposited silt- so very fertile soil Plentiful food led to population growth Farming was very difficult Little rainfall River levels fluctuated with rainfall....flooding & droughts How could early farmers control the river flows? Irrigation- supplying water to an area of land 1. Storage basins were dug to hold rainwater 2. Canals carried water where needed 3. Farmers also built up rivers’ banks A15BF7B4B8F5

How did irrigation affect food supplies? Increased food supply- surpluses (more than needed) Water also used for grazing livestock and cattle So….Mesopotamians ate a variety of foods The result….. Fewer people needed to farm People became free to do other jobs New occupations developed Examples: Craftsmen, religious workers, govt workers Division of labor- each worker specializes in a particular task or job

3,000-4,000 yrs ago- settlements grew into cities Society still based on agriculture Most people still had farming jobs Cities important as trading centers Textbook Page 119 Write out question AND answer for #1ABC and #2ABC Use the book and your notes for answers. These are part of your notes!

Sumerian Achievements Poster Use pgs Create a poster project that celebrates the many achievements/inventions of the Sumerian civilization. Be sure to cover all areas of their achievements… Writing Technical Math & Science The Arts Sumerian Achievements Poster Use pgs Create a poster project that celebrates the many achievements/inventions of the Sumerian civilization. Be sure to cover all areas of their achievements… Writing Technical Math & Science The Arts

Be sure all pictures are in color and labeled with a brief description explaining why that invention was important or useful. Use the entire paper and please leave little, if any, white space upon completion. The point value for the poster is 50 points Success Habit. This is recorded as in-class work. Points will be deducted for neatness, misspellings, poor effort, inaccurate information. Be sure all pictures are in color and labeled with a brief description explaining why that invention was important or useful. Use the entire paper and please leave little, if any, white space upon completion. The point value for the poster is 50 points Success Habit. This is recorded as in-class work. Points will be deducted for neatness, misspellings, poor effort, inaccurate information.

The Sumerians World’s first civilization 3000 BC Most people in Sumer were farmers Sumerian city-states: central city and surrounding farmland Often fought each other to gain farmland This led to strong armies and walls surrounding cities Who were the Akkadians? Neighboring society next to Sumerians Cultural and language differences Led by Sargon

Sargon wanted to expand territory He built a capital on the Euphrates River (today Baghdad) First ruler to have a permanent army Defeated all city-states of Sumer Sargon established world’s first empire Empire= different territories under a single ruler Sargon ruled for 50 years After his death, Sumerians were able to regain their civilization.

Sumerian Religion Religion was important in all aspects of life Polytheism- worship of many gods Each city-state considered a god to be its protector Sumerians believed gods could bring floods or drought so they needed to be pleased. People made offerings Priests- people who performed or led religious ceremonies Occupied a high status level (just below kings)

Sumerian Social Hierarchy

Men and Women Men Help political power Made laws Became educated Women Took care of the home Cared for children Some became educated priestesses

Sumerian Achievements Writing Cuneiform- worlds first system of Writing Used sharp tool (styluses) to carve Symbols on clay tablets. Symbols could represent parts of words Scribes were hired to record business records Over time writing expanded to law, history, math, literature, stories, songs, and epics…. Epic- long poems telling stories of heroes

Technical Advances Wheeled carts Potters wheel Plow Clock Sewers Bronze for tools and weapons Makeup Glass & jewelry

Math & Science Base 60 system 12-month year Calculated area of rectangle and triangles Naming of plants & animals Healing medicines Catalogs of medical treatments

Sumerian Arts Architecture- science of buildings Most Sumerian rulers lived in large palaces

Most ordinary Sumerians lived in small, one-story houses 6-7 rooms arranged around a courtyard Bricks made of mud

Ziggurat -Pyramid shaped tower -Dominated city centers -Temples to the gods

Cylinder Seals- Sumer’s most famous works of art. Small stone cylinders engraved with designs Rolled over wet clay, the impression is left behind Used to sign documents and show ownership

Babylon Located on the Euphrates River Today Baghdad Ruled by Hammurabi All of Mesopotamia was under his rule Famous for his code- 282 laws Each crime had a specific penalty Depended on social status The laws were posted for all to see, and obey Ruled for 42 years After his death- Babylon was weakened Other invaders conquered

Invasions after Hammurabi Hittites In today’s Turkey 1 st to master ironworking= stronger weapons Used chariots in battle This allowed quick movement

Assyrians Most known for their strong army Well organized Spread fear prior to battle by burning villages and stealing crops. Kings ruled through the use of local leaders.

Chaldeans Attacked the Assyrians and gained control Nebuchadnezzer- rebuilt Babylon into a beautiful city Greatly admired the Sumerians Advances in astronomy and weather

Phoenicians In today’s Lebanon On the Mediterranean Sea Wealthy trading society Few resources…..except for cedar trees Trading by sea…overland routes blocked by mts and enemies Expert sailors Most important for inventing the first alphabet

Chapter Review Textbook pgs , 8 Write out the sentence with the correct answer inserted 9 & 10- All 3 parts…..write out answer only A,B,C- answer only 12 C- answer only 13- write the word that matches each letter 141 1,2,3,5,6,7 Answer only…letter AND and wording