Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia Global Connections

The Impact of Geography Mesopotamia: The land between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates Tigris and Euphrates The Fertile Crescent: Larger area (from Med. Sea to the Persian Gulf) Impact: Rivers deposited silt when they flooded in late Spring Eventually the people learn to control the water with irrigation and drainage Eventually the people learn to control the water with irrigation and drainage

Fertile Crescent

Akkadia and Sumeria

The Sumerians By 3000 BC there were a number of independent cities in Southern Mesopotamia which developed into city-states Ex: Eridu, Ur, Uruk Ex: Eridu, Ur, Uruk The centerpiece of each of these cities was the temple which was built on massive stepped tower called a Ziggurat The centerpiece of each of these cities was the temple which was built on massive stepped tower called a ZigguratGovernment Theocracies: monarchies by divine authority Theocracies: monarchies by divine authority

Ziggurat

Economy and Society Economy :Based mostly on farming but eventually trade and industry (metal work and wool) Society: Nobles: Royals, Priests and their families Nobles: Royals, Priests and their families Commoners: 90% farmers, fishermen, crafts. Commoners: 90% farmers, fishermen, crafts. Slaves: Agriculture and building Slaves: Agriculture and building

Empires in Mesopotamia Eventually these city states fell into conflict with each other and outside forces 2340 BC The Akadians and their leader Sargon conquered the region and set up the worlds first Empire (fell in 2100 BC) 1792 BC Hammurabi (leader of the Babylonians gained control of Akad and Sumer Hammurabi’s Code? (eye for an eye) Hammurabi’s Code? (eye for an eye) Patriarchal society Patriarchal society

Religion and Creativity Religion: Polytheistic (3000 or more gods usually associated with nature Creativity: Writing (Cuneiform) to pass down knowledge and record events Writing (Cuneiform) to pass down knowledge and record events The Epic of Gilgamesh (immortality for gods only) Technology Bronze (copper and tin), wagon wheel, potters wheel, sundial Technology Bronze (copper and tin), wagon wheel, potters wheel, sundial