Unit 2: Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent Mr. Davis Social Studies 7

The Fertile Crescent Mesopotamia = “land between the rivers” The Tigris River and the Euphrates River give Mesopotamia its name. Located in present-day IRAQ “Mesopotamia” means “between the rivers” in Greek.

The Fertile Crescent MESOPOTAMIA is part of a larger region called THE FERTILE CRESCENT, a large arc of rich, fertile farmland that extends from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea.

The Fertile Crescent

Two Parts Northern Mesopotamia = a plateau (flat area high above sea level) bordered to the north and east by mountains Southern Mesopotamia = a flat coastal plain and river valley. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers both flowed through Southern Mesopotamia.

The Rise of Civilization Hunter-gatherers first settled in Mesopotamia about 12,000 years ago. Silt deposits made it ideal for farming. Crops = wheat, barley, other grains Other food sources = Livestock, birds, fish Plentiful food led to population growth, and villages formed. This became the world’s first civilization.

Farming and Cities Flooding was a major problem in the beginning. People built canals to control flooding and irrigate fields. This led to a surplus in food supply. Also used irrigation to water pastures for cattle and sheep to graze. Allowed for a variety of foods.

Division of labor With the surpluses, people were able to do other jobs—crafters, religious leaders, government workers. Having people do different jobs allowed for more to get done. Large projects helped people in government because they managed and organized people. Cities grew between 4000 and 3000 BC (BCE). Centers for trade, power bases for leaders Political, Religious, Cultural, Economic centers of civilization

The Rise of Sumer Sumerians developed the first civilization in southern Mesopotamia—an advanced society in 3000 BC.

Sumerian City-States Most Sumerians were farmers in rural areas. The centers of Sumerian societies were urban areas. City-states were the basic political units of Sumer.

Sumerian City-States City-states often fought each other for more farmland. Built up large armies and large thick walls for protection By 3500 BC, a city-state known as Kish had become quite powerful. Over the next 1000 years, the city-states of Ur and Uruk fought for dominance. One of Uruk’s kings, Gilgamesh became a legendary figure in Sumerian folklore.

Rise of the Akkadian Empire Akkadians lived north of Sumer, but were not Sumerians (different culture). Sargon was an Akkadian emperor that built a permanent army—launched a series of wars against neighboring kingdoms. Sargon conquered all Sumer and built the first empire.

Sumerian Religion Played a key role in aspects of life Polytheism – belief in many gods Each city-state considered one god to be its special protector Gods were very powerful and controlled all parts of life. Priests performed religious ceremonies and interpreted wishes of the gods by making offerings.

Sumerian Social Hierarchy KINGS PRIESTS TRADERS FARMERS & LABORERS SLAVES

Men & Women in Sumer Men held political power and made laws Women took care of the home and children Education was reserved mostly for men, but some upper-class women were educated as well.

Cuneiform & Pictographs Cuneiform is the early system of writing used by the Sumerians. Sumerians wrote on clay tablets using a STYLUS.

Scribes Scribes are writers. They were hired to keep records for the government or for the temple Becoming a scribe was one way for Sumerians to move up in social class

Sumerian students Students went to school to learn how to read and write. Just like today, some Sumerians did not like to go to school

Sumerian students Other subjects: history, law, grammar, and math Epics were studied—long poems about heroes or gods

The wheel Used for carts and wagons Potter’s wheel (used to spin and mold clay into useful items)

The plow Pulled by oxen, it was used to break up the hard clay soil to make it easier to plant crops.

Other advancements A clock that used falling water to tell time Sewers under city streets Make bronze to make tools and weapons stronger Makeup Glass jewelry

Math Number system based on 60 Divided a circle into 360 degrees Developed a 12-month year (12 a factor of 60) Calculated areas of triangles and rectangles

Science Wrote long lists to record study of the natural world. Studied numerous plants, animals, and minerals

Medicine Used ingredients from animals, plants, and minerals to make medicine. Items in medicine included milk, turtle shells, figs, and salt.

Sumerian homes Rulers lived in palaces Wealthy lived in 2-story homes with as many as a dozen rooms Most lived in a one-story house with about 6 or 7 rooms around a courtyard Used mud bricks as building blocks

Ziggurats A ziggurat is a pyramid-shaped temple tower that rose above each Sumerian city.

Sumerian Sculpture Statues of gods for the temples Smaller sculptures made of ivory or wood Created pottery items

Jewelry Made impressive works out of gold, silver, and imported gems. Earrings were found in the region—shows they knew more advanced methods of jewelry-making

Cylinder Seals Stone cylinders that were engraved with designs. When rolled over clay, it would leave behind its own distinct imprint These seals were used to show ownership or to “sign” important documents

Music Kings and temples hired musicians to play on special occasions Instruments: reed pipes, drums, tambourines, and stringed instruments called lyres. Children learned songs in school People sang hymns to gods and kings

Babylon Mesopotamian city that sat on the Euphrates River By 1800 BC, had its own powerful government Ruled by Hammurabi, who was a monarch—ruler of a kingdom/empire

Hammurabi’s Code A set of 282 laws that dealt with almost every aspect of daily life Dealt with trade, loans, marriage, theft, injury, murder… Specific crimes brought specific penalties Social class mattered After Hammurabi’s death, there were many invasions of the region.

Invader: THE HITTITES & Kassites After Hammurabi’s death, there were many invasions of the region. Strengths: mastered ironworking and created the chariot—a wheeled horse-drawn cart used in battle Hittite rule did not last long, however. The Hittite king was killed by an assassin from a group known as the Kassites, who lived north of Babylon and would rule for 400 years.

Invader: THE ASSYRIANS Strengths: Strong army—every soldier knew his role. Iron weapons and chariots were used. FIERCE in battle—before attacking, they looted villages and burned crops Ruled from Nineveh and demanded heavy taxes. Anyone resisting was severely punished. Kings appointed local leaders. Road network was built

Invaders: THE CHALDEANS Destroyed Nineveh in 612 BC Ruled by Nebuchadnezzar, who rebuilt Babylon into a beautiful new city Constructed the Hanging Gardens (one of the seven ancient wonders) Admired Sumerian culture—studied language and built temples for gods Accomplishments in astronomy, developed calendar, solved problems in geometry

The Phoenicians NOT invaders of the Fertile Crescent Cedar trees were abundant resource—not many other resources because of mountains TRADERS BY SEA! Established colonies all across the Mediterranean region for trade. CARTHAGE was the most famous Traded silver, ivory, and slaves. Developed an alphabet to keep track of records.