Bellwork EQ4: How did physical location lead to the success and development of the Fertile Valley Civilizations? The physical location of Mesopotamia led to its development and success because it was located in the Fertile Crescent, an area in Southwest Asia that had very rich soil. Mesopotamia was also surrounded by two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. These rivers deposited rich silt, which made the soil good for planting crops and raising animals. The rivers also provided drinking water and other forms of food such as fish.

EQ #5: What are the characteristics and accomplishments of the Fertile Crescent civilizations?

Word Wall Words rural urban city-state empire polytheism monotheism Judaism religion Torah occupation social hierarchy impact epic barter monarchy cuneiform ziggurat Hammurabi’s Code government

The World’s First Civilization The Rise of Sumer The World’s First Civilization

The Development of An Advanced Society Sumerians – Nomadic Village City-state Farming City

What is a civilization? Civilization - a culture marked by developments in arts, sciences, government, and social structure ; the stage of cultural development at which writing and the keeping of written records is attained

The City-States of Sumer Made up of both rural and urban areas The amount of countryside controlled by each city-state depended on its military strength. Fought each other to gain more farmland Built walls around cities for greater protection

The Structure of a City-State

The Religion of Sumer Religion was part of every aspect of Sumerian life. Practiced polytheism – believed in many gods air, water, wisdom, war and love, sun and moon Each city-state was focused on one god Believed that gods had enormous power Everyone had a duty to serve and worship the gods Priests-performed religious ceremonies; talked to the gods for the people Believed gods lived in ziggurat

Sumerian Social Order Social hierarchy kings priests slaves craftspeople, merchants, traders farmers and laborers slaves

Men and Women of Sumer men women had political power made laws military women home children Usually men were educated, but some upper-class women received educations.

Sumerian Achievements Cuneiform – the first form of writing; originally developed for business records uses pictographs combined to relate ideas Scribes – writer; hired to keep list of items people traded – eventually used for everything Sumerian students went to school to learn to read and write

Cuneiform

Sumerian Achievements Continued Epics Gilgamesh Wheel Plow Irrigation Calendar Medicine Architecture Jewelry Metal weapons Musical instruments