Mesopotamia AP World History
If you were to develop a civilization what physical characteristics would be needed in order to settle there?
The Wealth of the Rivers Nutrient-rich silt Key: irrigation Necessity of coordinated efforts (reservoirs, canals, dikes, dams) Promoted development of local governments City-states Sumer begins small-scale irrigation 6000 BCE By 5000 BCE, complex irrigation networks Population reaches 100,000 by 3000 BCE Attracts Semitic migrants, influences culture
City States Sumerians- 3200-2350 BCE Ur- Home of Abraham Assyrians- Beginning 1300 BCE, 745-701 BCE control Mesopotamia, Syria, Palestine, most of Egypt New Babylonia – 1959-74
Political System Semitic peoples from northern Mesopotamia overshadow Sumer Sargon of Akkad (2370-2315 BCE) Destroyed Sumerian city-states one by one, created empire based in Akkad Empire unable to maintain chronic rebellions Hammurabi of Babylon (1792-1750 BCE) Improved taxation, legislation Used local governors to maintain control of city-states Nabuchanezzar- Created a new Babaloynian Empire because of previous peoples discontent Babylonian Empire later destroyed by Hittites from Anatolia, c. 1595 BCE
Jobs in Mesopotamia Women Men Textile Temple Leaders and Kings Breweries Households Bankers Temple Leaders and Kings Scribe Farmers Political Life
Social Classes Ruling classes based often on military prowess Originally elected, later hereditary Perceived as offspring of gods Religious classes Role: intervention with gods to ensure fertility, safety Considerable landholdings, other economic activities Free commoners Peasant cultivators Some urban professionals Slaves Prisoners of war, convicted criminals, debtors
Patriarchal Society Men as landowners, relationship to status Patriarchy: “rule of the father” Right to sell wives, children Double standard of sexual morality Women drowned for adultery Relaxed sexual mores for men Yet some possibilities of social mobility for women Court advisers, temple priestesses, economic activity Introduction of the veil at least c. 1500 BCE
Monument Building Ziggurat- home of the City Gods
Keeping Records First form of writing were pictographs This form of writing was first Later forms of writing was known as Cuneiform Written on clay tablets
What are some of the Applications for writing?
Uses for Writing Trade Astronomy Mathematics Calculation of time Agricultural applications Calculation of time 12-month year 24-hour day, 60-minute hour
Long Distance Trade Trade increased because of the development and use of boats Goods Traded: wood, metals, stone, cloth, barley and vegetable oil Traded With: Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans
Advances in Science and Art Assyrians used Iron 4000BCE Bronze- Used for Military and Agriculture 1000 BCE Iron- less expensive than Bronze 3500 BCE Wheel and Boats Amulets- Charms (Used for Luck and Jewelry) Dikes, Dams, Canals
Legal System The Code of Hammurabi Established high standards of behavior and stern punishment for violators lex talionis – “law of retaliation” Social status and punishment women as property, but some rights