From City-States to Gilgamesh Mesopotamia From City-States to Gilgamesh
Essential Questions How did environment affect the early Mesopotamian civilizations, including culture and technology? How did the Mesopotamian system of city-states affect technology, culture, and modern Middle East relations ?
Mesopotamia Land between the rivers (Tigris and Euphrates) “Fertile Crescent” Modern day Iraq Sumer
The Rise of City-States Neolithic Rev. led to sedentary farmers City-state = a city with political and economic control over the surrounding area Huh? In English = small like a city but has own government, military, economy, and identity (not part of a state or country) Kish, Ur, Uruk (Erech), Eridu
Building of city-states Walled cities (made of mud brick) Why mud brick? Invented (?) arch Close to water Euphrates flooded Explanation Angry gods How do you appease them?
Ziggurats Physical, economic, political, and spiritual center of city-state Top of ziggurat was a temple Gods and Goddesses in complete control Allowed mortals power (kingship was divine theocracy = gov’t by divine authority) Uruk dedicated to Ishtar
Accommodated Farming Economy based chiefly on farming until… Trade and industry develop…leads to Development of technology such as… Wheel (Wheeled carts for easier transportation) and… Advanced weapons which leads to… Warfare and competition
Social Structure 4 social classes (nobles, middle class, peasant farmers, slaves) Slavery very common in ancient world (agriculture-based societies) NOT racially based
Mesopotamia Part Deux
Writing Cuneiform (wedge-shaped writing) Why do you need writing? Business transactions Stories and traditions
The Epic of Gilgamesh Gilgamesh King of Uruk (2800 B.C.) Story accomplishes 2 things 1) The first epic story 2) Sumerian (Mesopotamian) outlook on life Life is brutal, harsh, and ultimately depressing
Other Mesopotamians Akkadians Sargon I (2300 B.C.) First Empire (unify all city-states) 100 years Brief Sumerian resurgence Defeated by…
Amorites (Babylonians) Centered at Babylon Famous for Hammurabi - Famous for law code (1800 B.C.) – 282 laws - Laws written in important cities (2 survive) - Emphasize brutal nature of Mes. society
Others Hittites Iron weapons Less brutal law (pay fines) Assyrians Warriors First effective governing of large empire King (absolute), priests, governors, army