Mesopotamia Land Between the Rivers Unit 7 Mesopotamia 11/16/2015

BABYLONIAN ZIGGURAT

Map Reading: Mesopotamia What two rivers run through the Fertile Crescent? What body of water do the rivers flow into? What sea is located to the west of the rivers? What is the area called that is shown by the color pink?

The Empires of Mesopotamia Sumer Babylonia Assyria People are called Sumerians Existed 3000 BCE-1800 BCE Know for farming, cuneiform, & wheel People are called Babylonians Existed 1800 BCE-1200 BCE Known for creating 1st laws People are called Assyrians Existed 1200 BCE-539 BCE Known for being fierce warriors & traders

About Ancient Mesopotamia What does Mesopotamia mean? Where is Mesopotamia located? Why was this a good place for the 1st civilization? The land between the rivers. Mesopotamia is current day IRAQ The middle east Between Africa and Asia Fertile Crescent: Large arc of fertile land Tigris & Euphrates made farming possible Cattle, goats, pigs, & sheep were found here

Inventions of Mesopotamia Wheel Cuneiform Laws Trade and War The Sumerians invented the wheel to help with farming. The Sumerians created the 1st writing system to help keep track of cattle and crops. King Hammurabi of Babylonia created 282 laws about everyday life. Assyria were great conquerors and traders.

Challenges in Mesopotamia Unpredictable Floods No Farming Safety Floods would destroy crops, homes, and people SOME areas were marshy and unsuitable for farming. Land was vulnerable to attacks and invasions.

The invention of Agriculture changed the way people lived. Agriculture (Farming) Growth of Cities Division of Labor (Specialization) Trade Writing and Mathematics