9/13 Focus: Early civilizations developed in Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers There were few natural barriers in this region which made it a crossroads where people shared customs and ideas. Do Now Why is a river important? Hmwk due fri pg 8 1-4

9-19 The Sumerian city - states developed in the Fertile Crescent along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Fertile Crescent ran from the Persian Gulf to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. This region lacked natural barriers and saw a great deal of trade, war, and migration. -Point for Discussion: how could not having natural barriers hurt a civilization?

Cities & Government Public Religion Works Civilization Social Classes Specialization Of Labor Arts Architecture Writing & Record Keeping Social Classes Religion Cities & Government Civilization

Mesopotamia Fertile Crescent “The Land between the Two Rivers” Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Fertile farmland from silt left by floods Floods were unpredictable Lack of natural barriers allowed frequent migrations of people and invasions Cultural diffusion First civilizations are thought to have developed here

Sumer The first civilization to develop in Mesopotamia 5,500 B.C.E City-States developed along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers An independent political unit with its own government Ur, Uruk, Kish, Lagesh Cities were protected by defensive walls

9-18 Do Now “The Tigris and Euphrates rivers had unpredictable flooding. This caused destruction and led Sumerians to have a bad view of the afterlife. This also causes the Sumerians to fear their gods rather than love them” Aim- What are Sumerian beliefs

Do Now “One of the first civilizations to settle down by a river was the Sumerians. This civilization made many advances that helped shape the way we are today. One of them includes the earliest form of writing called cuneiform.”

Sumer Ziggurats were found at the center of each city A large, tiered, structure Built for the god or goddess of each city

Religion Were polytheistic Believed Gods controlled natural events Viewed their gods as hostile and unpredictable Similar to their environment Priests held high status in Sumer Worked to keep the gods pleased

Government War chiefs often became Kings Kings performed rituals to please the gods Dynasties developed A series of rulers from one family

Trade Traded with people across Southwest Asia Lacked many natural resources Traded for timber, stone, metals

Writing Cuneiform Form of writing that used sharp tools to make wedge shaped symbols on clay tablets Scribes had a high place in society

Literature The Gilgamesh Epic One of the oldest surviving works of literature 4,000 year old story Sumerian hero who seeks immortality Originally passed on through oral tradition

1- Describe the Paleolithic Age. 2- Describe the Neolithic revolution. 3- Explain the geography of Mesopotamia/Sumer. 4- Explain the afterlife of the Sumerians. 5- Describe a Sumerian ziggurat Bonus- Cuneiform

9-19 “The Tigris and Euphrates rivers had unpredictable flooding. This caused destruction and led Sumerians to have a bad view of the afterlife” Aim- Study for Writing Activity

9/24 Focus: Waves of invaders swept into the fertile crescent after the collapse of the Babylonian Empire These invaders created huge empires and introduced new technologies into the region Do Now: What geographic characteristic of the region allowed for the easy movement of armies?

Fertile Crescent Empires Hittites and Assyrians

Hittites Indo-European tribe that came from the area north of the Black Sea Settled in Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey)

Military Advantages Knowledge of iron working allowed them to build the first iron weapons and expand their empire Revolutionized warfare Improved chariots

Hittites Blended their culture with the people around them Used Sumerian cuneiform Adapted the Code of Hammurabi What important concept does this illustrate?

Assyrians from Northern Mesopotamia Strong military power with fierce warriors Known for their brutal tactics in battle

Assyrians organized and efficient government Established one of the world’s first libraries Empire was linked by roads Allowed for communication and expansion of trade Controlled conquered people by crushing any resistance to their rule

9/27 Focus: The Persians formed one of the largest and best governed empires in the ancient world and made great cultural achievements. Do Now: Why were the Phoenicians known as carriers of civilization?

Persian Empire Cyrus the Great 559-529 BCE Established the Persian Empire Extended from N. Africa to India Allowed people to keep their customs

Persian Empire Darius the Great 522-486 BCE Established large network of roads The Royal Road Created postal system Used a single currency Appointed governors to run sections of the empire Called Satraps

Persian Empire Zoroastrianism Based on the teachings of Zoroaster Monotheistic Religion Belief in one god God was named Ahura Mazada Good actions and thoughts lead to immortality Tolerant of other religions