BELLWORK: 8/20 Describe The Fertile Crescent. Remember to turn in phone! Today we will start learning about ancient river valley civilizations. To begin, read the introduction to Mesopotamia (pg. 14)  Describe The Fertile Crescent. Why was controlling the flow of rivers important to the Sumerians? Define city-state. Define polytheistic. THINKER: Read “Thinking like a Historian” (pg. 17)  How are years labeled? What about periods of time?

BELLWORK: 8/21 Yesterday, we started our study of Mesopotamia. It started with the city-states of Sumerian and Assyria, but lastly, the Babylonians came to rule Mesopotamia. Read about one of their most important leaders – Hammurabi (page 57) Who was Hammurabi? What made his military successful? What was Hammurabi’s Code? List three characteristics! Describe the social roles under Hammurabi’s rule. Include men, women & children. THINKER: In your opinion, what was the greatest achievement of Mesopotamia?

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia was formed between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq. This civilization had many important city-states: Sumer, Babylonia & Assyria. The Sumerians invented several tools/devices that made life easier – wagon wheel, irrigation, sundial, bronze, number system, etc. As you read, complete the following worksheet. These are your notes for the section so make sure it’s completed accurately!

Mesopotamia Note Worksheet Use chapter 1; lesson 3  pages 14-17

Note taking in history As you read this section, focus on summarizing the main idea. Here are some tips……. Avoid writing exact sentences/quotes from book Use abbreviations/symbols whenever possible Read the entire section first – THEN decide what the main points are Do not include overly specific details/extra info – it’s not needed Ask yourself specific questions: what happened? Why? Are there important people/terms involved?

Example: Description The ancient Greeks used the term Mesopotamia (“land between the rivers”) to refer to the fertile land between the Tigris & Euphrates rivers; currently, this land is in Iraq. Soil had been enriched by layers of silt – material deposited by two rivers. In the late spring, the Tigris and Euphrates often overflowed their banks and deposited their fertile silt. This flooding was unpredictable so they learned to control the rivers by using irrigation and drainage ditches.

REVIEW List four advances the Sumerians made with regards to farming and agriculture. Describe Sumerian religious practices. What is cuneiform? How do you number BCE-CE years on a timeline? Who was Hammurabi? Why is he important? Who were the Assyrians? Why were they successful?

Hammurabi

Discuss  In your opinion, what was the greatest achievement of Mesopotamia?

Hammurabi’s Code As you know, Hammurabi’s Code was very harsh, but it became one of the earliest attempts at law. You are now going to read over 25 laws within Hammurabi’s Code. You must pick 10 and translate them into modern language. We will do the first one as an example. After you have translated them all, answer the three follow-up questions. Finally, on the back  create your own law!

Hammurabi’s Code As you know, Hammurabi’s Code was very harsh, but it became one of the earliest attempts at law. You are now going to read over 25 laws within Hammurabi’s Code. You must pick 10 and translate them into modern language. We will do the first one as an example.