Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent

Geography of the fertile crescent The valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were the site of the first civilizations.

Where is Mesopotamia Today?

The rivers of Southwest Asia supported the growth of civilizations Tigris & Euphrates=most important to Mesopotamia Farm settlements developed into civilizations

Land Between Two Rivers Mesopotamia= “land between two rivers” in Greek. Mesopotamia is part of a larger area of rich farmland called the fertile crescent. 2 regions= northern & southern Mesopotamia.

Rise of Civilizations Yearly flooding from the Tigris and Euphrates brought silt that made the land rich for farming *silt-mixture of rocks & rich soil Having plenty of food led to population growth & villages formed. *world’s first civilizations!

New farming techniques led to the growth of cities Irrigation and canals controlled river flow. Surpluses of food=few people had to farm=new occupations

Controlling Water Irrigation helped solve flooding and drought problems Irrigation: A way of supplying water to an area of land Canals: Human-made waterways

Food Surplus & Effects Irrigation increased amount of food=food surplus. Fewer people needed to farm, so they took on other jobs. Division of labor-workers can specialize in a type of work. Large projects were undertaken, structure and rules were needed. Settlements=cities (4000BC-3000BC)

The Rise of Sumer The Sumerians developed the first civilization in Mesopotamia.

The Sumerians Created the world’s first advanced society. Created City-States: a city, with land surrounding it. The amount of land depended on their military strength. Fought each other to gain more farmland.*Gained * lost power over time.

Sargon Akkadian ruler who had the 1st permanent army. Defeated all city-states in Sumer. Established the world’s 1st empire when he conquered Northern Mesopotamia. Sargon ruled for 50 yrs. After his death, his empire lasted only 100 yrs. longer

Religion in Sumer Sumerians believed in polytheism, the belief in many gods. Gods had enormous powers Priests (who performed religious ceremonies) had great statues built in Sumer.

Sumerian Social Order Social Hierarchy: the division of society by rank or class. Social Order: Kings Priests Skilled craftspeople, merchants, & traders. Farmers and laborers Slaves

Men and Women in Sumer Men: political power & made laws Women: took care of home & children. Education: mostly reserved for men, but some upper women were educated. Some women were priestesses in Sumerian temples.

Sumerian Achievements The Sumerians made many advances that helped their society develop.

Sumerians invented the world’s 1st writing system Cuneiform: use of sharp tools called styluses on clay tablets to create a system of writing. Symbols would represent syllables; earlier pictographs only represented objects.

Sumerians invented the world’s 1st writing system Scribes-writers; kept track of items people traded & wrote down government records.**Scribes could move up in social class Other uses: wrote stories, proverbs, songs, poems, about the gods & military victories & epics.

Advances and inventions changed Sumerian lives. Development of the wheel: Used for carts and wagons Potter’s wheel The Plow increase farm production Sewers under city streets Math and science: # system based on 60 Names of plants, animals, and minerals. Used medicines for healing

Art in Sumer Architecture: Rulers lived in large palaces Most Sumerians lived in houses w/ many rooms surrounding a courtyard. Houses were made of mud bricks A Ziggurat rose above the city. The arts Sculptures of the gods for the temples. Jewelry-gold, silver, & gems. Engraved cylinder seals

Later People’s of the Fertile Crescent After the Sumerians, many cultures ruled parts of the fertile crescent.

Babylonians conquered Mesopotamia & created a code of law Hammurabi-king of Babylon. Brilliant war leader who brought all of Mesopotamia under his empire. Improved tax system, oversaw building and irrigation projects.

Code of Hammurabi Hammurabi’s Code: a set of 282 laws he created that focused on daily life.** Ideas that are found in our laws today** Specific crimes=specific consequences (eye for an eye)

Code of Hammurabi Social class was taken into account. It was a greater crime to injure a rich man than a poor man. Code was unique because… It was detailed. It was written for ALL to see.

Code of Hammurabi

Invasions of Mesopotamia Armies battled for control of fertile land. Many groups ruled Mesopotamia

The Hittites and the Kassites Hittites: 1st to master ironworking-made strongest weapons. Used a chariot which allowed them to move quickly around the battlefield. Kassites took over after king was assassinated-Kassites ruled for over 400 yrs.

The Assyrians Had a strong army that used chariots and iron weapons. Spread terror before battles by looting villages and burning crops. King ruled the empire through local leaders that only governed a small area. The local leaders demanded heavy taxes.

The Assyrians

The Chaldeans Chaldeans attacked the Assyrians when and destroyed their empire. Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon into a beautiful city that had famous hanging gardens

The Chaldeans Admired the Sumerian culture, studied their language, and built temples to Sumerian gods. Babylon became the center for astronomy.

The Phoenicians built a trading society in the eastern Mediterranean region. Resources: Cedar trees for timber Accessed the sea for trade Built great harbors

The Phoenicians built a trading society in the eastern Mediterranean region. Expansion of Trade: Sailed ships around the Mediterranean sea. Founded new colonies along the trade routes. Became wealthy

The Phoenicians built a trading society in the eastern Mediterranean region. Alphabet: Recorded their activities Made writing much easier for everyone Is the basis for the English language.