Ancient Civilizations Mesopotamia

Civilization A complex society Cities Organized government Art, religion, classes Writing system How has this civilization influenced us today?

Earliest known civilization What is current day Iraq Southern part Between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Mesopotamia Land between the rivers Part of the fertile crescent – Mediterranean to Persian Gulf

Geography Around 3500 bce In Middle East (between Europe and Asia) Between the Tigress and Euphrates Rivers Hot dry climate Rivers flood in spring and leave behind rich soil for farming Area called Sumer in southern Mesopotamia

Religion Polytheistic Built temples – ziggurat Gods blessed crops Each god had power over a natural force or human activity (e.g. flooding or basket weaving) Built temples – ziggurat Priests and priestesses were powerful

Achievements Built dams and channels to control flooding of the rivers Irrigation Cuneiform writing Epic of Gilgamesh Inventions Wagon wheel Plow Sailboat Mathematical ideas

Achievements continued Created number system 60 minute hour 60 second minute 360 degree circle Astronomy 12 month calendar Assyrians Erected large temples and palaces Wall carvings and statues Produced and collected literature – first library

More Achievements Chaldeans Hittites City of Babylon Hanging Gardens Astronomers First sundial Seven-day week Hittites iron

Politics Sumer Akkadians attacked under Sargon (2340 bce) City states developed Priests may have ruled Akkadians attacked under Sargon (2340 bce) First empire Hammurabi created Babylonian Empire (present day Bagdhad Created law code Assyrians – 1,000 years after Hammurabi Large well organized army Strong rulers Built roads

Politics continued Cruel treatment under the Assyrians led to rebellions Chaldeans captured Ninevah 612 bce ended Assyrian empire Nebuchadnezzar leader

Economics Sumer Chaldeans Farmers Traded wheat and barley for copper, tin and timber Men head of household/women could buy and sell property and own businesses Chaldeans Babylon became the world’s largest and richest city Traveling merchants - caravans

Social Structures