Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia

Region is known as the “Fertile Crescent” and Mesopotamia –“Between the rivers” Tigris and Euphrates Rivers –Had unpredictable floods that deposited silt –Used irrigation to control water Ideal for large-scale farming As a result, could grow a large amount of food and support a large population. –Civilization emerges. Between the Rivers Mesopotamia generally refers to three areas: –Assyria –Akkad –Sumer (3000 – 2340 BC) First Mesopotamian Civilization

Religion –Believed unreliable gods and goddess controlled all aspects of the universe. Why would they think this? –Polytheistic Belief in many gods. –Humans were supposed to obey and serve the gods. Humans were inferior and would never know what the gods may do to them. –Every city had a ziggurat Temple devoted to the gods. Government –Theocracy A government by divine authority. –Believed the gods ruled the cities. –Rulers derived their power from the gods. Religion and Government

City-States Sumerian civilization was made up of large cities that had control over surrounding countryside. –City-State Surrounded by walls. Constructed of sun-dried mud bricks. Economies were based on farming and trade. –Traded with India and the Mediterranean.

Writing The Sumerians greatest invention was their writing, called cuneiform. –Used mostly to keep records. –Only wealthy boys would be taught how to write (Scribe).

Sumerian Art Made pottery, cloth, and metalwork –Used gold, copper, silver, and bronze

Standard of Ur Found in a grave in the Royal Cemetery at Ur…

Standard of Ur - War

Standard of Ur - Peace Where do you see evidence of the existence of a social structure in Sumerian society?

Fall of Sumer Akkadians invade and overtake the Sumerian city-states. (2340BC) –First Empire? –Sargon I Akkad falls in 2100BC City-states fought until 1792BC when Babylon took power under Hammurabi