THE RISE OF MESOPOTAMIAN CITY-STATES The greatest lecture ever!

Introduction The earliest city-states in Mesopotamia date back to 3500 B.C. Each had their own ruler.

How were the Mesopotamians able to create their own city-states? By solving four problems.

Problem #1: Food Shortages in the hills. Until 5,000 B.C., the weather in the Zagros Mountains allowed for farming and growth. 5,000 B.C.E., food stopped growing. Villages suffer from food shortages. SKETCH THE PROBLEM

Solution to problem #1 Driven by the need for food, people moved down to the Tigris and Euphrates River Plains. SKETCH THE SOLUTION

Problem #2- Uncontrolled Water in the River Valley. Heavy rainfall caused the rivers to flood farms and villages. Crops and people were washed away. Could not control the supply of water. SKETCH THE PROBLEM

Solution to Problem #2 Created Irrigation systems, tools to control the water supply Levees, canals, dams. SKETCH THE SOLUTION

Problem #3: Difficulties building and maintaining a complex irrigation system. Irrigation system passed through many villages. Had to be cleaned regularly. If one village did not keep up the system, it would ruin the irrigation system for other villages. SKETCH THE PROBLEM

Solution to Problem #3 Villages realized that they had to cooperate with each other to keep the water flowing well. As they worked together, they created larger communities. SKETCH THE SOLUTION

Problem #4: Attacks by neighboring villages. The location of some cities led to fighting over water led to bloodshed. Mesopotamians had to figure out how to protect themselves. SKETCH THE PROBLEM

Solution to Problem #4 Walls made out of mud and brick. Dug moats outside the city walls for protection SKETCH THE SOLUTION

What they Made Cities Most people lived in houses outside the city walls. Walled cities looked like independent countries. Historians call them “city-states.”