Fertile Crescent

I. The Land Between the Rivers One of the world’s first farming communities developed in the Fertile Crescent in Asia. Land lies between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Greeks called it Mesopotamia Present-day – Southwest Asia known as the Middle East Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flow southeast emptying into the Persian Gulf Area’s climate – usually hot and dry, and rains are unpredictable The rivers were important because they were the only source of water for drinking, farming, and washing. Prayed to gods for rain and good crops

Map Skill: Location: Into what body of water do the Tigris and Euphrates flow? Persian Gulf

How did the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers affect the people of Mesopotamia? Drinking Farming Washing Travel Trade

II. Life in Mesopotamia Learned how to direct water Used irrigation Built canals and dams which were used to collect water in ponds for storage Built levees to prevent flooding Some of the first laws dealt with sharing water. Used simple tools to farm – wooden plows and hoes Grew – wheat, barley, dates, onions, and other crops

Used geography to their advantage Farmed Caught fish in the rivers Rivers provided mud for building houses Used valuable resource of wood to make plows and furniture Invented the potter’s wheel – used for pottery

A. Animals Go To Work Animals were used for food and other goods. Sheep – supplied meat and wool for clothing Cattle – used for meat and skin made leather Trained to carry goods and pull plows

B. Trade and Crafts Rich soil, hard work, and new irrigation techniques helped to produce a surplus of crops Surplus led to trade. Travel to other villages Allowed specialization in crafts, making baskets, cloth, and pottery Villages became centers of trading and crafting.

How did geography affect the way people lived in Mesopotamia? Irrigate crops Build levees Brought fish Brought mud and reeves for building homes

Let’s Become a Farmer Geography Challenge

III. Civilizations in Sumer By 3,000 B.C. villages turned into large cities. The region near the Persian Gulf became known as Sumer. Developed city-states Had own government Strict social class systems – certain groups of people held the same positions in society

Kings, priests, government officials Farmers, traders, Craftspeople slaves

A. Religion in Sumer Practiced polytheism - the belief in many gods and goddesses Father of the gods – An Inanna - goddess of love and war Important god - Enki - god of water ziggurat or “mountain of god” - main building in each Sumerian city A temple stood at the top of each ziggurat Sumerian believed priests could communicate with the gods and goddesses.

B. Sumerian Empire Sumer’s most powerful city-states tried to gain control of the area for years. 2300 B.C - Sargon - king of the city-state of Akkad succeeded Created the first empire in World history Ruled for 56 years

C. Sumerian Inventions Made discoveries Writing- cuneiform or wedge-shaped marks Could record laws and important events Marks were pressed into wet clay tablets and then the tablets were baked in the sun until dry. Edubbas or “tablet houses” – schools Wealthy boys went to school Studied math, music, etc. Official record-keepers were scribes

Other inventions Irrigation Pottery Wagon wheel Sailboat measurement Calendar Time

How did Sumerian inventions affect life in Mesopotamia? Improved life in Sumer Made it possible to keep accurate records Measure time Improve transportation