Aim: Why Did the World’s First Civilization Begin in Mesopotamia?

Civilization can only begin if… Favorable Geography Agricultural Surplus Natural Resources High Population

Mesopotamian Geography Two River System – Tigris and Euphrates Fertile Crescent Warm Climate No Geographic Barriers

Mesopotamian Government City-States (Not Unified Like Egypt) Theocracy – Ruled by Divine Authority Why do they need kings at all? Defense Public Works Law and Order

Economy Agriculture Trade by land and sea Wheel

Social Structure Priest-King Noble Class (Hereditary) Commoners Slaves

Intellectual Written Records Astronomy Cuneiform Epic of Gilgamesh Calendars

Religion Polytheistic People Serve Gods Each City-State had a protector God

Empires Akkadians Babylonians Sargon Creates First Empire (Ends 2100 BCE) Babylonians Hammurabi (1792 – 1750 BCE) The Code Based on Retribution – “An Eye for an Eye”