Mesopotamia’s Civilization Civilizations are complex societies with cities, governments, art, religion, class divisions, and a writing system. Rivers were used for travel, trade, and made good farming conditions.

Mesopotamia’s Civilization Governments were formed because someone had to make plans and decisions for the common good.

Mesopotamia’s Civilization Mesopotamia is a flat plain bounded by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Floods in Mesopotamia were frequent and unpredictable. Farmers learned to control the rivers with dams and channels. They also used the rivers to irrigate, or water, their crops.

Mesopotamia’s Civilization Many cities formed in a southern region of Mesopotamia known as Sumer. Sumerian cities were city-states, with their own governments. Sumerian cities often fought each other. To protect themselves, the city-states built walls around themselves.

Mesopotamia’s Civilization Sumerians believed in many gods Each city-state had a ziggurat, or grand temple, to honor the gods.

Mesopotamia’s Civilization Most Sumerians were farmers, but some were artisans, or skilled workers Others were merchants and traders Sumerian city-states had three classes: - The upper class consisted of kings, priests, and government officials. - The middle class consisted of artisans, merchants, fishers, and farmers - The lower class consisted of slaves.

Summary Discussion Question What effect did irrigation have on the people of Mesopotamia?

Summary Discussion Answer Irrigation allowed farmers to grow plenty of food. More food meant more people could be fed, so the population grew.

W.I.O WIO: Draw a concept map of a Sumerian city-state (Location, Gov, Relationship, Protection) *Gifted and Pre-AP WIO: Draw a concept map of a Sumerian city-state (Location, Gov, Relationship, Protection). Develop your own city state with at least five topics. Use descriptions that help your reader visualize the area.

A Skilled People Mesopotamia has been called the cradle of civilization because of the influence of Sumerian ideas on other areas. Writing helps people keep records and pass on ideas Sumerians developed a writing system called cuneiform. Only a few people, called scribes, learned to write.

A Skilled People

A Skilled People The Sumerians also produced the oldest known story, the Epic of Gilgamesh. The Sumerians also invented new technology such as the wagon wheel, the sailboat, and the plow The Sumerians developed many mathematical ideas, including geometry, a number system based on 60, and a 12-month calendar.