Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia

Geography & Environment “the land between the rivers…”

On which continent was Mesopotamia located?On which continent was Mesopotamia located? Asia; in what is modern day Iraq, Syria & TurkeyAsia; in what is modern day Iraq, Syria & Turkey The Geography

On which river did the ancient Mesopotamians settle?On which river did the ancient Mesopotamians settle? Between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers; in an area known as the Fertile CrescentBetween the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers; in an area known as the Fertile Crescent The Geography

Early Mesopotamian Kingdoms

Mesopotamian Cultures Mesopotamia did NOT represent a unified kingdom, instead it was made up of a series of kingdoms that occupied a specific geographical spaceMesopotamia did NOT represent a unified kingdom, instead it was made up of a series of kingdoms that occupied a specific geographical space

SumerSumer AkkadAkkad BabyloniaBabylonia AssyriaAssyria Neo-BabyloniaNeo-Babylonia PersiaPersia Mesopotamian Cultures

The first civilization Sumer 3500 – 2300 BCE

Geography:Geography: Located at the southern end of MesopotamiaLocated at the southern end of Mesopotamia Near the mouths of the Tigris & EuphratesNear the mouths of the Tigris & Euphrates Sumerian Geography

City-state:City-state: A city + its surrounding landsA city + its surrounding lands Independent political units that competed for trade & boundariesIndependent political units that competed for trade & boundaries i.e. Uruk, Kish, Ur, Lagashi.e. Uruk, Kish, Ur, Lagash

Characteristics:Characteristics: Shared cultureShared culture Unique governmentUnique government Outer wallsOuter walls A central temple/zigguratA central temple/ziggurat Sumerian Geography

Sumerian Religion & Government Polytheism:Polytheism: The worship of more than one godThe worship of more than one god Believed gods were immortal & all powerful; humans were to serve the godsBelieved gods were immortal & all powerful; humans were to serve the gods

Ziggurat:Ziggurat: Temples where sacrifices and offerings were made to the godsTemples where sacrifices and offerings were made to the gods Animals, food, wine, etc.Animals, food, wine, etc. Sumerian Religion & Government

City-states were ruled by priest- kings who were viewed as powerful agents of the godsCity-states were ruled by priest- kings who were viewed as powerful agents of the gods Sumerian Religion & Government

Sumerian Culture & Knowledge Despite their religious practices, Sumerians had little, if any, belief in an afterlifeDespite their religious practices, Sumerians had little, if any, belief in an afterlife Believed that the souls of the dead went to the “land of no return”Believed that the souls of the dead went to the “land of no return”

Sumerian Culture & Knowledge Developed a form of written language known as cuneiformDeveloped a form of written language known as cuneiform

Sumerian Culture & Knowledge Invention of the wheel (3000 BC)Invention of the wheel (3000 BC) Economy based on farming & tradeEconomy based on farming & trade CULTURAL DIFFUSIONCULTURAL DIFFUSION

Sumerian Culture & Knowledge Other notable contributions:Other notable contributions: Invention of the sail & plowInvention of the sail & plow The usage of bronzeThe usage of bronze Development of a number systemDevelopment of a number system

KingsWealthymerchants Field laborers Slaves

Babylonia The first system of justice 1790 – 1590 BCE

The Babylonian Empire In 1792 BC a new empire took control of MesopotamiaIn 1792 BC a new empire took control of Mesopotamia BabyloniaBabylonia Reached its height during the reign of HammurabiReached its height during the reign of Hammurabi

The Babylonian Empire Hammurabi’s Code:Hammurabi’s Code: Written code of lawsWritten code of laws Stressed responsible behaviorStressed responsible behavior Capital punishmentCapital punishment

“an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”“an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” Punishments based on SOCIAL CLASSPunishments based on SOCIAL CLASS Laws focused on ALL aspects of societyLaws focused on ALL aspects of society The Babylonian Empire