Early River Civilizations Mesopotamia and the Sumerians World History Pullen

Mesopotamia- The land between the rivers The Tigris – Euphrates Rivers form the Fertile Crescent Silt Good weather Flood unpredictably The Zagros and Taurus Mountains, Syrian Desert Natural barriers to keep out intruders modern day Iraq, parts of Turkey, and parts of Syria

Mesopotamia- Map

Mesopotamia: Sumer Sumer included the cities of Ur and Kish The city state of Sumer grew as more people began to settle in the fertile areas. Population grew along the rivers. The growth of the population encouraged new technology: Irrigation Development of artificial lakes and ponds Why?!?

Irrigation Irrigation is the method of getting water to specific areas of farmland through drainage pipes or ditches. An irrigated field:

Early Governments No boundaries. Each city is independent. Early government ruled by priests leaders in charge of irrigation systems of canals as well as work crews, appointed inspectors, and settled arguments. Surplus of grain kept in temples. Collection of taxes - grain, animals, farm products. Prayed, made sacrifices to please the gods. Spent lives serving the gods.

Record Keeping Record keeping is needed when government, religion, and economy become more complex. Scribes: professional record keepers Cuneiform: Sumerian writing with a wedged stick and clay tablet

Sumerian Contributions: The first kings Eventually military leaders became kings. Why? Conflict was over land boundaries and use of water. Defended the cities against invaders Managed irrigation works, surplus grain, chief judge in all arguments. Kingship came down from heaven. Dynasty: A series of rulers from the same family

Sumerian Contributions: Religion Polytheism: Many gods controlled everything immortal and all powerful. Gods would protect or destroy

Four (4) important Gods: An: Father of all gods, God of the sky Enlil: God of the air. Gave kings their power Enki: God of the water. Ruled city of Eridu Ninhursag: Mother goddess Nonna: Moon God. Ruled Ur Others: sun God goddess of love and war Each city had its own god. Why?

People of Sumeria Social Classes (3) Highest class included: King, government officials, priests, wealthy merchants and landowners Middle class included: Farmers, fishermen, artisans Lowest class included: slaves, prisoners, people who did not own land and children Women had some freedom of job choice and could hold property Why do most civilizations (even our own) have social classes?

Mesopotamia: Division of Labor and Economy Everyone had a job in Sumeria Examples: bricklayers, canal builders, butchers, artists Barter! Barter is the exchange of surplus food items for materials that are needed. Why don’t we use barter today?

Hammurabi Created a written law code Unified the empire 282 specific laws Family relations, business conduct, and crimes Different punishments for rich and poor Government has a responsibility to organize society Why was it important that the law code be written down?