1. Homework
H.W. #6 due tomorrow.
Test on Unit #1 Wednesday.

2. Do Now
How did the surplus of food developed during the Neolithic Revolution change human society?

3. Aim #5: What factor was most important in making Mesopotamian civilization a success?
September 14, 2017

4. I. Geography of Mesopotamia
Located on the Fertile Crescent in the present day Middle East (today Iraq).
Was between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. In late spring, they overflowed and deposited fertile silt (sediment) into the land.

5. I. Geography of Mesopotamia
Benefits of the rivers→ Provided the Three F’s (fertile soil, fresh water and food). Also a source of transportation and trade.

6. I. Geography of Mesopotamia
Drawbacks of the rivers → Flooding was unpredictable.
Too much flooding = Destroy crops and lives
Too little flooding = Drought

7. II. Government in Mesopotamia
The Sumerians created the first civilizations in Mesopotamia around 3000 B.C.
Was Mesopotamia united by one government?

8. II. Government in Mesopotammia
Mesopotamia had no united government. People lived in city-states → Cities that had their own independent governments (examples were Ur and Erech). Protected by walls.
Name three important responsibilities that rulers in Mesopotamia had in order to make their city-states successful?

9. II. Governments in Mesopotamia
Responsibilities of rulers/kings:
Irrigation projects (ditches that got water from the rivers to the fields)
Recording laws / tax collections
Establishing an army / building protective walls
Storing grain
Supervising religious rituals

10. III. Culture in Mesopotamia
Sumerians had a polytheistic religion →
Showed devotion to gods and goddesses by building ziggurats (massive pyramid shaped structures that were part of a Sumerian temple).

11. III. Culture in Mesopotamia
C. Cultural Achievements: Cuneiform (world’s first writing system → wedge shaped impressions on clay tablets), invention of the wheel, sail and plow, number system based on 60, achievements in geometry and astronomy, Epic of Gilgamesh.
Which of Mesopotamia’s cultural achievements do you think had the most significant effect on global history, and why?

12. Concluding Question
Which of the following factors was most important in making Mesopotamian civilization a success: geography, government, religion or technology? Why?