The First Civilizations Mesopotamia

Between two rivers Mesopotamia began in southern part of present day Iraq. It is located between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers

Silt After the rivers flooded small parts of soil filled the banks making the soil great for farming (fertile)

Irrigation Bringing water to dry areas

City-states Raised their own crops Made their own goods Had their own government Gained political and economic control over other areas King’s palace and other public buildings were in the center of town City-states were protected by large brick walls or

The temple where Gods were worshipped Ziggurat/polytheism The belief in more than one God The temple where Gods were worshipped The very top was a holy place

How did people in the ancient world communicate? Scribes were people who did the writing Cuneiform- a type of ancient writing