The Worlds First Civilization Mesopotamia The Worlds First Civilization

Essential Question: How does geography influence the way people live?

What is a civilization? Civilizations are complex societies. They have cities, organized governments, religion, class divisions, art, and a writing system.

Why were river valleys important? Farming - large amounts of people could be fed Trade - goods and ideas to move from place to place. Cities - grow up in these valleys and became the centers of civilizations.

Mesopotamia Means—land between two rivers.

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia was the worlds first civilization. The two rivers that allowed Mesopotamia to succeed were the Tigris and Euphrates.

The Fertile Crescent In the spring, the rivers often flooded, leaving behind rich soil for farming called silt. The problem—flooding was very unpredictable. It might flood one year, but not the next—making farmers worry all the time.

Irrigation Over time, the farmers learned to build dams and channels to control the seasonal floods. They also built walls, waterways, and ditches to bring water to their fields. This way of watering crops is called irrigation. Irrigation allowed the farmers to grow surpluses—or extra amount of food-- and support a large population.

Map and Discussion Question 1. Color and complete the map. 2. Then answer the following question How were people affected when the Tigris or Euphrates Rivers flooded the land? Provide 3 examples.

Sumer The first major civilization in Mesopotamia was in a region called Sumer. Build the first cities—Ur, Uruk, and Eridu.

City-states Each Sumerian city and the land around it became a separate city- state—a city that governs itself and its surrounding territory. Each city-state had its own government and was not part of any larger unit.

Gods, Priests, and Kings Sumerians worshipped many gods— polytheism. Each city-state had its own god. To honor the gods the Sumerians build a large temple called a ziggurat. Sumerian kings claimed they received their power to rule from the gods.

Sumerian Social Classes Upper class - kings, priests, warriors, and government officials. Middle class - artisans, merchants, farmers, and fishers. These people made up the largest group. Lower class - enslaved people who worked on farms or in the temples.

Sumer’s Greatest Contribution: Writing The most important invention of the Sumerians was writing. The writing of the Sumerians was called cuneiform.

The Epic of Gilgamesh Sumerians told stories orally for centuries. They wrote the world’s oldest story. The story is called the Epic of Gilgamesh. Epic is a long poem that tells the story of a hero.

Persia Model

Sumerian Social Classes Review Upper class - kings, priests, warriors, and government officials. Middle class - artisans, merchants, farmers, and fishers. These people made up the largest group. Lower class - enslaved people who worked on farms or in the temples.

Upper Class: Kings Claimed they received their power from the city’s God. The first kings were war heroes. Over time their rule became hereditary—or passed on from father to son.

Middle Class: Artisans Skilled workers Produced many goods, such as jewelry, weapons, and pottery For example: metal workers and pottery makers They engaged in trade with other city- states

Lower Class: Slaves Enslaved people made up the lowest class Most were captured in war People who could not pay they debts were enslaved They worked for the upper class

RAFT Activity: A Scribe, Artisan, OR a Slave Pretend you are either a Monarch (upper class) Artisan (middle class) Slave (lower class)

Sumer’s Greatest Contribution: Writing The most important invention of the Sumerians was writing. The writing of the Sumerians was called cuneiform.

Sumerian Inventions wagon wheel Wooden plow Sailboat 12 month calendar Number system based on 60 (60- minute hour, 60-second minute, and 360-degree circle)

wagon wheel plow sailboat

Activity: Sumerian Inspirational Tablets DUE Thursday Think of a inspirational quote, inspirational words, or any positive words. Using cuneiform write these words in your inspirational tablet. Make the tablet appear antique (like clay—you may add dirt, shade it with pencil, or burn it to make it look antique (this part is Home Learning)

Home Learning: Sumerian Contribution Pick a Sumerian contribution. Research it. Draw an illustration depicting it.

Mesopotamian Empires: Akkadian Babylonian Assyrian Chaldean Chapter 4, Lesson 2 Essential Question: Why does conflict develop?

Empire Empire: is a group of many different lands under one ruler. Through conquest and trade, these empires spread their cultures over a wide region. Empires Akkadian Empire (2340 B.C. - 1800 B.C.) Babylonian Empire (1800 B.C. - 1200 B.C.) Assyrian Empire (1200 B.C. – 612 B.C.) Chaldean Empire (612 B.C. - 539 B.C.)

Akkadian Empire: Sargon In about 2340 B.C., Sargon conquered all of Mesopotamia creating the world’s first empire. An empire is a group of many different lands under one ruler. Sargon’s empire lasted for more than 200 years before falling to invaders.

Babylonian Empire: Hammurabi King Hammurabi – 1800s B.C. built the city of Babylon on the Euphrates River. He united the cities of Mesopotamia under one rule and created the Babylonian Empire. He is best known for his law code, or collection of laws— Hammurabi’s Code

Code of Hammurabi It was the first written code of laws. Influenced later civilizations. Laws covered topics such as crimes, farming, family, and business activites. The Code consists of 282 laws, with different punishments depending on social status of the accused.

Activity Explore Hammurabi’s Code

The Assyrians Had a strong army with chariots and iron weapons—iron was key to their success! Assyrian kings ruled their empire through local leaders who each governed a small political distinct (area)—province. The local leaders demanded tribute—or a from of payment made to a ruler as a sign of surrender. Nineveh was their main capital (city-state).

Life in Assyria Assyrians borrowed ideas from the Babylonians. -They had law codes. -They worshipped many of the same gods. -Farming and trade important.

Downfall of Assyria Because they were harsh rulers people often rebelled. In about 650 b.c., fighting broke out over who would be the next Assyrian ruler—during this turmoil a group of people called the Chaldeans took over!

The Chaldeans Chaldeans were descendants of the Babylonians who made up Hammurabi's empire—“Neo-Babylonian Empire”! The Chaldeans attacked the Assyrians and destroyed their empire. Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon into a beautiful city that had the famous Hanging Gardens—one of the Seven Wonders of the World

Babylon—The Magnificent City Chaldeans make Babylon their capital. Merchants came to the city in traveling groups called caravans. They bought Babylonian goods —pottery, cloth, baskets, and jewelry. Babylon grew wealthy from this trade. Center of scientific knowledge—astronomers (people who study the heavenly bodies) studied there. Invented the sundials and the 7-day week.