Ancient Civilizations Mesopotamia

The Start of Mesopotamia Early humans traveled to find food –When food became scarce, they moved As they moved they followed the coasts/rivers, to be close to water Soon they traveled through the area of the Middle East (5000 BCE) –Found a very fertile area known as the “Fertile Crescent” –Present day Iraq Area was fertile due to 2 major rivers that emptied into the Persian Gulf

Geography of Mesopotamia

Characteristics of Fertile Crescent Two major rivers –Euphrates to the West –Tigris to the East Area between named Mesopotamia (c BCE) –Comes from Greek term meaning “between the rivers” Many small cities form close to the Persian Gulf –They later spread further away due to growing populations

Importance of Geography One of the earliest known cities-states: Sumer (2900 BCE) –City-states- an area that was ruled like separate states –Early example of an advanced civilization –Strong government, laws, economy Rivers provided only real water to Sumer –Positives Fertile land allowed crops to grow Deposited silt- rich soil from bottom of riverbeds –Negatives Rivers flooded unpredictably; thousands died Area of Sumer was small (size of Massachusetts) Area lacked other vital natural resources

Discussion What technology did the Sumerians utilize that would help lessen the negative consequences discussed previously?

Importance of Geography Problem Solving at Its Best –People of Sumer utilized new technologies Dug irrigation canals to control water –Also spread the amount of farmable land Built walls to protect the cities from invaders Traded for resources needed w/ other cities –Traded grain and cloth for wood, metal, and tools

River Silt and Irrigation Canals Irrigation canal from the rivers River silt left behind after a flood

Sumerian Cities All cities had their own governments and rulers –Ur- the most powerful Sumerian city –Sophisticated city w/ rigid social classes –Buildings made of clay bricks Regular houses were boxlike w/ no windows Rich houses were two levels w/ courtyard

Examples of Ur Housing

Economy of Sumerian Cities Economy based of Agriculture –Grain would be traded for other goods Traded for tools, metals, and wood Marketplace- most important area –Used for trading of goods –Called a bazaar or open air market Barter –A system of trade in which one good is traded for another

Sumerian Religion – Polytheism - belief in multiple gods Ziggurat - main religious building (temple) –Usually protected by wall –Served many purposes Store grain, ceremonies, sacrifices Priests held high power in society –Initially had all power until more wars broke out and military leaders took over

Sumerian Politics/Culture Led to dynasties –A succession of rulers from the same family. Society had rigid social classes Little Social mobility –Priests and Kings – upper class –Merchants/ Artisans – upper middle class –Farmers/ Laborers – lower middle class –Slaves- (usually POWs, not race based) Women held some rights in society Able to own land, enter low priesthood Could not write; suggests no education

Sumerian Science & Tech Sumerians known for 4 major inventions – The wheel – The sail Both aid in travel and trade; make them faster – The plow – The Harness Created calendars Counting/ number system from 0 – 60 First to use Bronze- the Bronze Age Created cuneiform –Writing system of pressing into clay –Used pictographs – picture=words – Stylus - small tool for writing Ziggurat

Early Mesopotamian Conquerors Religious leaders held power first but wars broke out With more wars, military leaders come to power Eventually leaders start taking over nearby villages –Leads to the beginning of empires and empire building Empire- many areas under the rule of one leader First Empire builder- Sargon of Akkad Takes power over Sumer –Came from the city of Akkad –Adopted many of the Sumerian practices and beliefs Sargon dynasty unifies Sumer from 2340 – 2125 BCE –Becomes the first time Sumer was unified Expands empire from north of Sumer to Persian Gulf

Discussion Why did Sargon adopt much of the Sumerian culture?

New Group & Leader Come to Power Empire of Sargon begins to weaken Amorites take power of Sumer around 2000 BCE; later known as Babylonians –Make Babylon their capital, moved it from Ur –Still kept practices of Sumer Babylonian Empire reaches its height under Hammurabi ( BCE) Best known for creating a code of law for all people –Hammurabi ’ s Code; based off earlier codes –First Written Law Code; posted throughout cities. Hammurabi ’ s Code based on revenge –Eye for an eye, tooth for tooth Rules applied differently to rich and poor Religion changed under Hammurabi- Marduk main god