Mesopotamia

Geography Rich farmland between two life giving rivers. Tigris and Euphrates Rivers supplied rich farmland, food, clay for building and strong reeds for making boats. These rivers could also bring devastation, for example floods.

City-States Farming led to surpluses which led to population increases which encouraged the growth of cities. Cities arose in the southern region they shared a common culture and language but remained independent city-states. Had their own god or goddess Government then eventually king

Everyday city life Public Squares were active Merchants displayed goods Musicians, acrobats, beggars and water sellers filled the streets Scribes wrote letters Houses faced away from crowded streets toward inner courtyards where families ate and played Oil lamps supplied light Sumerians slept outside on hot nights

Religion Sumerians were polytheistic – believed in many gods and goddesses Gods punished those who angered them and rewarded those who served them. Religious, social and economic activities all took places at the temples. The ziggurats were pyramids made of terraces that were linked by ramps and stairs, some more than 7 stories high. At the top was a shrine and Sumerians believed that gods descended to Earth using this as a stairway. Sumerian myths or stories about gods that explained people’s beliefs.

Honoring the gods Religious ceremonies Priests washed statues of gods before and after meals Music was played and incense burned Food was presented to the gods then eaten By eating the offering they thought they would take in the qualities they admired in the gods. Poetry expressed what was important to them.