MESOPOTAMIA August 3rd, 2018

THE BIG IDEA The earliest civilization arose in Mesopotamia and organized itself into CITY-STATES

WHY IT MATTERS NOW – MAKING IT RELEVANT The development of this civilization reflects a settlement pattern that has occurred REPEATEDLY throughout history. People settle near fresh bodies of water. Why?

Intro Where is Mesopotamia? What attracted settlers to this area?

SETTING THE STAGE Water provides the lifeblood for a community What does water provide for a community? What do we use water for today? Have you ever had your water cut off? (Valdosta)

GEOGRAPHY Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flow SE to Persian Gulf – UNPREDICTABLE FLOODING Waters recede, they leave behind a thick, fertile mud, called SILT Farmers plant grain – grow wheat Wheat leads to full stomachs (Diets today) Villages grow

3300 BC Sumerians arrive and build Constructed mud brick walls. Why? Built temples (Ziggurats) to honor their gods (polytheistic). Why? Had ENV problems

CUNEIFORM 1st version of writing Symbols and Sounds Eventually expressed ideas and words Used to keep track of goods and inventions

ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS Unpredictable flooding Little or no rain = drought How would the access/amount of water be determined? No wood or metal Traded with others Organized Labor. What does it require? (Today)

HAMMURABI’s CODE

SUMERIAN ACHIEVEMENTS What did they invent?

ENRICHMENT (Choose One) Create a museum exhibit about “Life in Sumer” Examine the life of Hammurabi and write one paragraph on how he influenced society.