G OVERNMENT IN A NCIENT M ESOPOTAMIA By Lauren Feeley & Angel Nieves

H AMMURABI ’ S C ODE OF L AWS o Law 48: if a storm came and blew all the grain and other crops in the air, or they died because of lack of water, they would not have to have to pay the rent for the entire year. o Law 53: if someone’s dam flooded a field of crops, they [the person’s who’s dam broke] would have to sell the broken parts of their dam and make the money and sell it & they would give the money to the person who’s field they flooded. o Law 55: if the farmer was too lazy to turn off the water usage or did not care where the water supply went, and it flooded the neighbor’s field, they had to repay the farmer’s field they flooded in corn they grew. What was Hammurabi’s Code of Laws?

P RIORITIES In Ancient Mesopotamia, people who owned land would be valued more than people who were slaves and did not have land. Farmers were paid much attention because they would deliver food supply to stands where people bought their crops. If you committed a crime, you had to pay the fine. For example, like we learned in Law 55, if you committed the crime of not turning off your water, and having it flood your neighbor’s field, you would have to repay them in corn that you grew and they do not have to pay you, so you lost money in that situation. What were some priorities in Ancient Mesopotamia?

T HE S TANDARD OF U R The Standard of Ur is an artifact that was excavated (dug up) from the Royal Cemetery in the Ancient city of Ur (Iraq). This artifact has been in the ground since 2600 B.C., but was found by British Archeologist, Sir Leonard Wooley in the 1920’s. It is a hollow wooden box with a beautiful mosaic of blue and red stones on the outside. Leonard Wooley thought that it had been carried on a pole, like a sign, which is called a “standard.” Some think it is the sound-box for a musical instrument. No one knows for sure. The Standard of Ur has two main panels, which have been named “War” and “Peace.” What was the Standard of Ur?

T HE J OBS OF A NCIENT M ESOPOTAMIA A Farmer’s responsibilities was to milk cattle, sheep and goat A Shepherd’s responsibilities was to take the wool from sheep A Herder’s responsibilities was to keep the sheep, goats, and cows from lions A Scribe’s responsibilities was to record laws, legends and songs A Slave’s responsibilities was to be in charge of household and to be obedient wives. A King’s responsibilities was to keep the country civilized and under control. What were the jobs in Ancient Mesopotamia?

R EVIEW What was Hammurabi’s Code of Laws? The Laws of Ancient Mesopotamia What were some priorities in Ancient Mesopotamia? Farmers, & people who owned land. What was the Standard of Ur? An artifact that was excavated out of the ground that tells us about Ancient Mesopotamia. What were the jobs in Ancient Mesopotamia? Farmers, shepherds, herders, scribes, slaves & a king who ruled the country.