Mesopotamia City-States

Geography of the Fertile Crescent

Geography Arc of land that provided good farming Located in SW Asia Mesopotamia “land between rivers” in the Persian gulf and Med. Sea Rivers: Tigris and Euphrates

Every year the rivers flooded the land, and then receded leaving a thick mud called silt. Soil was rich for farming and grew large quantities of wheat and barley. Villages grew

Environmental Challenges Sumerians- 1 st to settle in Mesopotamia 3 challenges 1. Unpredictable flooding/drought 2. No natural barriers for protection 3. Limited natural resources

Solving Problems Dug irrigation ditches Built city walls with mud bricks Traded goods for more raw materials These projects led to an organized gov’t in Sumeria

City- States: a city and surrounding country-side with its own gov’t Each city-state acted like its own mini country All city-states shared in the Sumerian culture

Priests and rulers share control Governments ruled by Priests In time of war-a tough fighter would command the army. A commanders power ended after the war Over time…priests gave commanders permanent control and become full time leaders Dynasty: series of rulers from 1 family

Sumerian Culture Polytheism: belief in many gods Gods were immortal and all powerful People worked hard to earn protection

Life Kings landlords __________________________________ Wealthy Merchants __________________________________ Farmers, Artisans ___________________________________ Slaves

Science and Technology Used arithmetic and geometry Arches, ramps, wheel, sailboats Created a writing system- cuneiform