The Shaping of Early Civilizations Standard 6-1.3

Let’s Remember… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJdT6QcSbQ0

Ancient River Valley Civilizations Geography- where are they located, natural boundaries Architecture- what did they build that they are ‘famous for’ Written Language- communication Social Order- how were the people divided by class (jobs) Government- who was in control Trading Systems- why did they trade, where did they trade, what did they trade

Geography- Google Earth One major area of development of civilization was in an area called Mesopotamia. It was located in: Asia: valley between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (present day Iraq) Mesopotamia means “the land between the rivers”. Early civilizations formed around rivers so they could FARM. (crops need water!)

The Impact of Geography The most important features of this area for the development of civilization were the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The rivers caused the soil in this area to be rich and fertile. Each year the rivers would flood, bringing important nutrients to the soil.

The Impact of Geography The people of Mesopotamia learned to control the flow of the rivers. They created irrigation and drainage ditches to make it easier to grow crops. They were able to grow a lot of food (surplus)= led to the development of cities.

Architecture In the cities, the Sumerians built temples and monuments called ziggurats. Temples for their gods Built them tall to be close to the gods Only priests were able to go inside Streamline: Religious Beliefs of the Ancient Sumerians

Written Language The Sumerians developed the first written language called cuneiform. The cuneiform alphabet had about 500 characters, or wedge shaped forms. A scribe was a professional writer.

Streamlines Development of Writing in Mesopotamia (02:09) The Role of Scribes in Ancient Sumerian Society (02:05)

Government Sumer was divided into city-states. Each city had its own ruler, laws, and customs. Ruled by a priest-king, or king who was the head of the government and the ziggurat. http://www.ma-boutique.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ancient-mesopotamian-city-vsdfvdfresve-amazing-decor-broch-crannog-and-hillfort.jpg

Government One of the greatest contributions of the Babylonians was the creation of a code-of-laws known as Hammurabi's Code. This is the oldest set of laws in the world. Hammurabi = one of Babylon's greatest kings.

He did something that no one had ever done before He did something that no one had ever done before. The Sumerians had created the first written language, cuneiform. Using this written language, Hammurabi created the first written set of laws.  In Hammurabi's court, it did not matter if you were rich or poor. If you broke the law, and were found guilty, you would be punished.  Since the laws were clearly written down, everyone was expected to obey them.

Hammurabi’ s Code of Law Babylonians Hammurabi’ s Code of Law Which characteristic of civilization is given here? Government

Examples of Hammurabi’s Code If a builder builds a house for some one, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls and kills it’s owner, then that builder shall be put to death.

If a son strikes his father, they shall cut off his hand

If the woman has not been careful but has gadded about, neglecting her house and belittling her husband, they shall throw that woman into the water.

If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out. If he breaks another man's bone, his bone shall be broken. If he puts out the eye of a man's slave, or break the bone of a man's slave, he shall pay one-half of its value.

Until this law, what passed for “law” was simply custom or the wish of whoever was ruling at the time. The law could change from generation to generation – even minute to minute. https://www.youtub e.com/watch?v=oD ALXORbtR4

Social Order Society was split into social groups, or classes The class systems were unequal The classes defined who had power, less desirable jobs

Streamline Social Hierarchy Within Nippur

Trade in Mesopotamia The land of Mesopotamia did not have a lot of natural resources, or at least they did not have the ones in demand during that time period.  So, to get the items they needed the Mesopotamians had to trade. In the southern part of Mesopotamia, docks were built along the sides of the rivers so that ships could easily dock and unload their trade goods.  The merchants traded food, clothing, jewelry, wine and other goods between the cities. http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/trade/explore/exp_set.html What were the different ways that the Mesopotamians traded goods?

Trade System

Streamline Development of Trade in Mesopotamia