Instructions: Read each slide and answer ALL questions on a separate sheet of paper. You may also refer to your homework.

Geography of the Fertile Crescent Extends from the Persian Gulf to the eastern Mediterranean coast. Known as a crossroads where people and ideas met and mingled. Fertile lands attracted Stone Age farmers from neighboring regions.

1)Why is the fertile crescent an ideal location?

Sumerian Civilization: B.C.E. Government & Society –Each Sumerian city-state had a distinct social hierarchy Ruling family, leading officials, high priests Lesser priests and scribes, merchants and artisans Peasant farmers (majority of people) Slaves –Role of Women As men gained power and wealth, women became more dependant on men. Well-to-do women some legal rights and even engaged in trade and owned property. 2) What can you tell about the Sumerian Civilization based on their Social hierarchy?

Sumerian Religion Polytheistic Gods were thought to control every aspect of life Each city built a ziggurat, a pyramid-temple that soared towards the heavens Believed in an afterlife 3) Compare Sumerian Religion To the Ancient Eygptians.

Advances in Learning Earliest form of writing- Cuneiform –Making wedge shaped marks on clay tablets Made advances in mathematics –Developed basic geometry and algebra –Based their number system on six, dividing the hour into 60 minutes and the circle into 360 degrees Priests studied the skies –Recorded the movement of heavenly bodies –This helped them make accurate calendars 4) Which do you think is the most important advance? Why?

Civilizations Of The Middle East

Babylonians B.C.E. King Hammurabi of Babylon –Created the Code of Hammurabi –He was not the author of all the codes but he wanted everyone in the empire to know the legal principles his government would follow. –He also improved irrigation, organized a well- trained army, and had temples repaired 5) Do you think it is important to write down laws? Why?

Hittites B.C.E. Learned to extract iron from ore The tools and weapons they made with iron were harder and had sharper edges than those made of bronze or copper The iron was less expensive so they were able to arm more people at less expense 6) What do you think are the pros and cons of this discovery?

Assyrians Learned to forge iron weapons Had a reputation for being among the most feared warriors of all time Rulers kept a well-ordered society They were the first to develop extensive laws regulating life within the royal household Riches from trade and war loot paid for the splendid palaces in well-planned cities

The Persian Empire B.C.E. Persian Kings followed a policy of tolerance The Persian Empire under Darius set up a government that became a model for later rulers –He divided the empire into provinces –He drew up a single code of laws To encourage unity, he built miles of roads To encourage trade he set up a common set of weights and measures. He also encouraged the use of coins.

Phoenician Sea Traders B.C.E. Developed the alphabet –Letters represent spoken sounds –They used this to record business deals Gained fame as sailors and traders Known for manufacturing –They made glass from coastal sand –Used papyrus to make books

Summary: 7) Which contribution was the most important? Why? 8) Which do you think is the most advanced civilization? Why? 9) What other information would you like to know about each civilization? 10) Why is is important today that we study the achievements of these ancient civilization?