“Land between the rivers” ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA “Land between the rivers”

Importance of Irrigation ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Importance of Irrigation Climate is hot and dry (e.g. Arizona) Almost no rainfall during growing season Canals draw water away from rivers to grow crops

Importance of Irrigation ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Importance of Irrigation Canals bring water to fields Ditches carry flood water away Dikes built to protect from flooding; dams raise water into canals

Importance of Irrigation ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Importance of Irrigation Large scale operation – necessitates central leadership and organization Leadership comes from the Temple and the King

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Religion Polytheistic Belief System (more than 1 deity) Based largely on Sumerian foundations Gods embody forces of nature: Anu – sky Enki – water Enlil – air Utu - sun

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Religion Mesopotamians were fearful of Gods; attributed changes in the environment to Gods’ pleasure or displeasure Believed in notion that humans were created to serve Gods

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Religion Priests became powerful individuals in society; more experienced priests were given more responsibilities All rituals were an attempt to control environment around societies; environment is tough – therefore the Gods are as well… Religion

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Writing Method of writing was called Cuneiform Reed pressed into wet clay tablets Wedge shaped characters

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Writing Most writing was about administrative details Detailed the King’s and the Temple’s business - Details about religious ceremonies – preserve favorable knowledge; things that “work” - Code of Hammurabi

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Trade Networks Because of climate and geography, raw materials are limited Either conducted trading or conquest strategies to get raw materials… System of standard weights and measures are established

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA Trade Networks Into Mesopotamia: Wood, metals and stone Out of Mesopotamia: Agricultural Surplus Wool Cloth Barley Oils