1. 8/11 EQ: What were the achievements of Mesopotamian Civilization?
Do Now : Geography played an important role in the ancient world as it still does today. Explain what you think would be the likely impact of the following geographic features on the people of Mesopotamia.
Feature
Impact of the feature
The region of Mesopotamia is known as the “fertile crescent” because it had the best soil
There were few natural barriers surrounding the region of Mesopotamia.
The Tigris & Euphrates rivers flooded unpredictably.
Agricultural surplus leads to civilization
Many different people attracted to the region
Left the region open to invasion
Many different groups influenced the region
Left very fertile soil
Gloomy outlook on gods/afterlife develops

3. The Sumerians Invented the wheel for trade, the sail, and the plow
Built ziggurats
Established city-states
cuneiform writing
Wrote “The Epic of Gilgamesh”

4. The Akkadians

5. The Babylonians Established a successful empire Improved cuneiform
Hammurabi’s Code of laws – first written law code for all to see.

6. Essential Question!
What role does technology play in bringing about change a. In society (how people live)? b. In warfare?

7. The Hittites Brought iron metallurgy to Mesopotamia
Brought chariots to Mesopotamia
Ended Babylonian rule

8. The (Bad) Assyrians
The first to outfit their entire army with iron weapons
Terrorized ancient people with battering rams
Built an empire

9. The Neo Babylonians
Defeated the Assyrians to re-establish Babylonian rule
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt the city of Babylonia - Hanging gardens of Babylon

10. The Phoenicians and their 22 letter alphabet

11. Intellectual/Technological
Social
Social classes develop and not treated equally under the eyes of the law– seen in laws of Hammurabi’s Code.
Highly Patriarchal – Women hold no public positions; domestic caretakers
Political
Religious
Intellectual/Technological
Economic