Introduction to Mesopotamia

Map of Mesopotamia

Map of Mesopotamia Black Sea Caspian Sea Tigris Euphrates Fertile Crescent Mediterranean Sea Euphrates Nile River Red Sea

Geography of Mesopotamia Mesopotamia translates as “the land between rivers” The rives being the Tigris and Euphrates Mesopotamia is part of the Fertile Crescent A region that includes modern- day Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, the Levant and parts of Turkey

Geography of Mesopotamia Mesopotamia is arguably home to the world’s very first civilizations Sometimes it is known as the “Cradle of Civilization” Mesopotamia was home to civilizations such as Sumer, Babylonia, and Assyria

Characteristics of Mesopotamian Civilization Religion: Polytheistic Origins of Philosophy Built ziggurats (religious temples) Mathematics and Astronomy: Developed sexagesmial numeral system (60 minute hour, 24 hour day, 360 degree circle) Developed a 12 month calendar based on the cycles of the moon

Characteristics of Mesopotamian Civilization Culture: Festivals were held once a month Sporting events such as hunting, boxing, and wrestling Most important of all Literature: Men and women were taught to read and write Wrote epic poems (i.e. The Epic of Gilgamesh) Many forms of writing developed

Writing Forms: Pictograms Pictograms= Earliest form of writings

Writing Forms: Cuneiform Cuneiform= Sumerian Writing Wedge shaped writing

Writing Forms: Alphabet Alphabet= Phoenicians