Mesopotamia: The Fertile Crescent Warm Up: Why would civilization begin near major river valleys?

Fertile Crescent Fertile Crescent = moon-shaped strip of land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf that is excellent farm land Located in modern-day Middle East

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia = located within the Fertile Crescent, between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers Rivers were NOT a reliable source of water (unlike the Nile) Ran dry in summer; flooded in spring Villages joined together to build dams, canals, and ditches

The Sumerian Civilization People from Asia arrived in Mesopotamia Formed 12 city-states = the city and the land surrounding it Considered the world’s 1st cities Created ziggurats = stepped pyramids with a temple at the top

The Sumerian Civilization Sumerians shared common culture, language, and religion City-states governed themselves Were theocracies = kings served as both government leaders AND high priests Laws regulated the roles of women & men  men had far more rights

The Sumerian Civilization Cuneiform = Sumerian system of writing The symbols represented complex ideas

The Sumerian Civilization Scribes were trained to read & write documents and stories Epic of Gilgamesh = oldest story in the world

The Sumerian Civilization Practiced polytheism = belief in more than one god Each city-state had its own god Negative outlook on life and the afterlife Believed gods were selfish and had no regard for humans

Sumerian Inventions Wagon Wheel Arch Potter’s Wheel Sundial 12-month Calendar Metal Plow

First Mesopotamian Empires The Akkadians Empire under Sargon I Kingdom was called Akkad Conquered & united all of the Sumerian city- states Empire fell apart after his & his grandson’s death

First Mesopotamian Empires Babylon Ruled by Hammurabi Strict Code of Laws = Hammurabi’s greatest achievement Rules and consequences that addressed daily life Law code covered entire region of Mesopotamia “Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” type of laws Government assumed the responsibility of protecting its citizens People now had laws to protect their rights & didn’t need to resort to violence

First Mesopotamian Empires Babylon Social classes were similar to the Egyptians, but they had far more slaves Hammurabi’s empire fell apart after his death