Unit 2: Early River Civilizations Middle East Empires

Fertile Crescent Region named because of its rich soil. Mesopotamia Meso – Middle Land between 2 rivers Rivers Tigris Euphrates

Mesopotamia

Geographic Factors Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Mediterranean Coastline Lack of resources Low, level plains No Natural Barriers Constant Invasions

History of the Early Mesopotamia Earliest inhabitants – Sumerians 4000 B.C. establish civilization Developed City-States City-States – a government that is the size of a city but acts as a nation. Kingdoms – a government that is ruled by leader whose rule becomes hereditary- passed from father to son Constant warfare

Is this one of the five characteristics of a civilization? Yes or NO YES

Cuneiform Writing Sumerian developed 550 Characters Wedge shaped characters 550 Characters

Cuneiform Stylus – writing instrument Tablets –clay used as documents

*Other Sumerian Contributions Travel Wheel Sail Agriculture Complex Irrigation Math Number System Based on 60

Mediterranean Sea Red Sea Nile River Arabian Peninsula Euphrates River Tigris River Persian Gulf Euphrates Tigris Mediterranean Sea Persian Gulf Nile Red Sea Arabian Peninsula

*Cultural Diffusion Process of a new idea or a product spreading from one culture to another

First Empires Empire brings together several peoples, nations, or states under the control of one ruler.

First Babylonian Empire Amorites invaded in 2000BC Establish Capitol – BABYLON

Hammurabi Greatest Ruler of 1st Babylonian Empire 1792-1750 B.C. Good Military Leader Diplomat Administrator

*Hammurabi’s Code *First Uniform Code of Laws Collection of laws - 282 Community Family Law Business Law Criminal Law Punishments *Judgments/ Rulings – Varied *Severe - “Eye for an Eye” *Different Punishments for rich and poor