1. Ancient Mesopotamia Sumer & Babylon

2. Sumer Region in southern Mesopotamia
Sumerians made some of the 1st wheeled vehicles
Made simple machines
Pottery Wheels
Explored new ideas in math & science
Invented a system of writing

3. Cuneiform System of writing invented in Sumer
Appeared around 3500 B.C.
Developed to record farm surplus
500 signs used regularly

4. School in Sumer It was an honor to go to school
Boys and very rarely girls learned to be scribes
Scribes also studied mathematics

5. City-States of Sumer
City-state  a self governing city that also governs surrounding villages.
City-States in Sumer Ur
Uruk
Eridu

7. Living in a Sumerian City
City-states went to war
To gain control of precious river water
City gates were built for protection
King’s palace could be seen from anywhere
Ziggurat stood in the center of the city.
Large building with a temple on top

8. Religion in Sumer Polytheism -> the belief in many gods
Ziggurat located in center of city
Indicates religion was important
Each city-state had a special god
Example of Sumerian Gods
Ishtar – goddess of love & war
Enki – god of water

9. Uniting the City-States
Sargon – king of Kish
United the city-states of Sumer
Expanded the empire north
Traded with sea-faring people
Cuneiform spread through the Fertile Crescent.