Chapter 3 Mesopotamia

Chapter 3 Section 1 Geography of the Fertile Crescent

Chapter 3 Timeline Agriculture first develops in Mesopotamia 7000 BC c. 2350-2330 BC c. 1770 BC c. 1000 BC Agriculture first develops in Mesopotamia Sargon of Akkad conquers Mesopotamia and forms the world’s first empire Hammurabi of Babylon issues a written code of law Phoenicians trade all around the Mediterranean

Section 1: Geography of the Fertile Crescent The Big Idea The valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were the site of the world’s first civilizations. Main Ideas The rivers of Southwest Asia supported the growth of civilizations. New farming techniques led to the growth of cities.

Rise of Civilizations Review Early Stone Ages (Paleolithic and Mesolithic Era) Neolithic Period Nomads Hunter-gathers Simple Tools and Weapons Agriculture Revolution Farmers Domesticated Animals Establishment of Villages

Development of Civilizations Civilization is a complex culture in which large numbers of human beings share a variety of common elements

Characteristics of a Civilization An urban focus: The city becomes a political, cultural, and social entity. A distinct religious structure A new political and military structure A new social structure based on economic power Agriculture plays a critical but subordinate role Has a large population and controls a large territory Forms of significant artistic and literate activity They utilize metalworking

Mesopotamia's Contributions to the West This is where the advancement of agriculture and commerce, the horse and wagon, the coinage and letters of credit, the crafts and industries, the law and government, the mathematics and medicine, the enemas and drainage system, the geometry and astronomy, the calendar and clock and zodiac, the alphabet and writing, the paper and ink, the books and libraries and schools, the literature and music, the sculpture and architecture, the glazed pottery and fine furniture,, the cosmetics and jewelry, the checkers and dice, the ten-pins and income-tax, the midwife and even beer…Greece did not begin civilization-it inherited far more civilization than it began…In studying and honoring the Near East we shall be acknowledging a debt long due to the real founders of European and American civilization Will Durant, The Story of Civilization

Why Mesopotamia First? Civilizations would develop if people had a steady food supply, then people began to develop complex societies. Mesopotamia became a thriving civilization because it was located along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

The rivers of Southwest Asia supported the growth of civilizations. Early people would settle where crops would grow. Crops usually grew well near river, where water was available and regular floods made the soil rich. Such an area existed in Southwest Asia between two rivers.

The Land Between the Rivers The Tigris and Euphrates rivers are the most important physical features of the region known as Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia means “between the rivers” in Greek. Mesopotamia is part of a larger area of rich farmland called the Fertile Crescent.

The Euphrates River-1,740 miles Its name is derived from the Sumerian word for trade

Tigris River- 1,150 miles Received its name from the Sumerians for being a swift river

Fertile Crescent Mesopotamia was divided into two regions in ancient times: northern and southern Mesopotamia. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flowed down from the northern hills and mountains into the southern plains.

Fertile crescent – a large arc of rich, or fertile, farmland It extends from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea

Fertile Crescent

Northern and Southern Mesopotamia

Zagros Mountains-East

Syrian Desert-West

Southern Marshes

Rise of Mesopotamia Annual floods on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers brought silt that made the land ideal for farming. Silt is a mixture of rich soil and tiny rocks. The first farm settlements appeared around 7000 BC. They grew wheat and barley and raised livestock.

Rise of Mesopotamia Plentiful food led to population growth and then the formation of villages. These villages later developed into the world’s first civilizations. (VC)

Farming and Cities Farming wasn’t easy Flooding would occur when a great amount of rain fell in Asia Minor/Northern Mesopotamia where the two rivers began. Flooding would destroy crops, livestock, and homes. When water levels were to low, droughts would occur.

New farming techniques led to the growth of cities. Farmers used irrigation and canals as a way to control river flow. Irrigation is a way of supplying water to an area of land

New farming techniques led to the growth of cities. They dug out large storage basins to hold water supplies to irrigate the land (VC) Then they dug canals, which connected the basins to a network of ditches, which would then control the rivers flow.

New farming techniques led to the growth of cities. Also farmers built banks along the rivers to hold back the floodwaters.

Food Surpluses Irrigation increased the amount of food farmers produced. Increased amounts of food led to surpluses, which meant that fewer people needed to farm. Surplus – more than they needed Farmers also used irrigation to water grazing areas for cattle and sheep.

Division of Labor Fewer people needed to farm, so they took on other roles and jobs. As a result new occupations developed, people became artisans, priests, and bureaucrats. A division of labor is created. Division of Labor – type of arrangement in which each worker specializes in a particular task or job

The Appearance of Cities Because of division of labor, large projects were undertaken. Large projects required specialized workers, managers, and organization. Which led to the need for structure and rules. This was provided by laws and government. Settlements began to grow in size, creating cities between 4000 and 3000 B.C.

Summary Assignment: Why was Mesopotamia an ideal place for a civilization to develop? Mesopotamia was in the Fertile Crescent, an area of rich farmland. With a surplus of food, the population grew. People built cities and developed governments and cultures

Questions (page 54-57) Cambridge answer in a complete sentence What does Mesopotamia mean? On what rivers did Mesopotamia develop? What is the Fertile Crescent? When were the first farming settlements established in Mesopotamia? How did irrigation help farmers? What effects did irrigation have on farming settlements?

River Valley Civilizations pages 58-59