Unit 2 Lesson #4 Day 1 Mesopotamia

Agenda Aim: How did geography and a strong central government help strengthen Mesopotamian civilization? Do Now: Picture analysis Mini-lesson: Analyzing Pictures, Vocabulary, Turn & Talk Work Period: Use close reading strategies to analyze an article on Mesopotamian government. Complete 5,3,1 activity. Closing: Exit Slip Question

Lesson #4 Mesopotamia Day 1 Aim: How did geography and a strong central government help strengthen Mesopotamian civilization? Do Now: Picture analysis - What can you infer about life in ancient Mesopotamia based on the picture?

Picture Analysis Do Now: What do you see in this picture? What can you infer about life in ancient Mesopotamia based on the picture?

Content Area Vocabulary Tier 3 Words Bureaucracy a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives. Code of Hammurabi is a well-preserved Babylonian code of law of ancient Mesopotamia, dated back to about 1754 BC  Ziggurat a rectangular stepped tower, sometimes surmounted by a temple. 

Geography of Mesopotamia Mesopotamia means the land between two rivers; the Tigris and Euphrates (in modern Iraq). Mesopotamia is often called the Fertile Crescent due to its rich soil. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flood yearly like Egypt. *Unlike Egypt, their floods are less predictable. This caused the people of Mesopotamia to fear their gods. TIGRIS RIVER

Mesopotamian Government Sumer was the first Mesopotamian civilization. Sumer was a collection of city-states, each ruled by a King. Similar to ancient Egypt, Mesopotamian city-states had developed a bureaucracy. In the center of each city-state was the ziggurat (temple). All buildings were built of sun-baked mud brick. Each city-state was surrounded by a city wall. A city-state is a city that governs itself.

Mesopotamian Government C) In 2300 BCE King Sargon of Akkad attacked Sumer. He created the Akkadian Empire, one of the first empires in the world. After his death, his empire quickly fell apart. An empire is a group of states that is under the control of a single authority.

Mesopotamian Government D) In 1790 BCE Hammurabi, King of Babylon, conquered most of Mesopotamia. He created the Code of Hammurabi; the world’s first known written law code. Code of Hammurabi: 300 laws carved into a stone pillar Displayed in public Included civil and criminal laws Punishments were specific to the crime. However, the punishment was also based on your social status and wealth. (The lower your status, the harsher the penalty)

Turn & Talk Laws are not necessary in a civilized society. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Reflect * Write your answer * Share with your partner.

Mesopotamian Government E) In 1400 BCE the Hittites (from Asia Minor) settled in Mesopotamia. They brought with them the knowledge of iron working. A Hittite iron helmet.

Mesopotamian Government Continued… F) By 1100 BCE the Assyrians conquered Mesopotamia. King Assurbanipal founded one of the world’s first libraries.

Mesopotamian Government F) In 626 BCE King Nebuchadnezzar conquered the Assyrian Empire, and began the Neo-Babylonian Empire… out of… you guessed it… Babylon! He conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the first Jewish temple and forced many Jews leave Jerusalem for Babylon. He rebuilt the city walls of Babylon, including the Ishtar Gate. It is covered in blue tile, with images of lions. He built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon for his wife. A design from the Ishtar Gate

Work Period Activity Use close reading strategies to analyze an article on Mesopotamian government. Complete 5,3,1 activity.

Closing Exit Question: How did geography and a strong central government help strengthen Mesopotamian civilization? Homework: #4 on the Unit 2 Outline