1. 9/13 Focus:
Early civilizations developed in Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
There were few natural barriers in this region which made it a crossroads where people shared customs and ideas.
Do Now
Why is a river important?
Hmwk due fri pg 8 1-4

2. 9-19
The Sumerian city - states developed in the Fertile Crescent along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Fertile Crescent ran from the Persian Gulf to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. This region lacked natural barriers and saw a great deal of trade, war, and migration.
-Point for Discussion: how could not having natural barriers hurt a civilization?

3. Cities & Government Public Religion Works Civilization Social Classes
Specialization
Of Labor
Arts
Architecture
Writing &
Record
Keeping
Social
Classes
Religion
Cities &
Government
Civilization

4. Mesopotamia Fertile Crescent “The Land between the Two Rivers”
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
Fertile farmland from silt left by floods
Floods were unpredictable
Lack of natural barriers allowed frequent migrations of people and invasions
Cultural diffusion
First civilizations are thought to have developed here

5. Sumer The first civilization to develop in Mesopotamia 5,500 B.C.E
City-States developed along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
An independent political unit with its own government
Ur, Uruk, Kish, Lagesh
Cities were protected by defensive walls

6. 9-18
Do Now
“The Tigris and Euphrates rivers had unpredictable flooding. This caused destruction and led Sumerians to have a bad view of the afterlife. This also causes the Sumerians to fear their gods rather than love them”
Aim- What are Sumerian beliefs

7. Do Now
“One of the first civilizations to settle down by a river was the Sumerians. This civilization made many advances that helped shape the way we are today. One of them includes the earliest form of writing called cuneiform.”

8. Sumer Ziggurats were found at the center of each city
A large, tiered, structure
Built for the god or goddess of each city

9. Religion Were polytheistic
Believed Gods controlled natural events
Viewed their gods as hostile and unpredictable
Similar to their environment
Priests held high status in Sumer
Worked to keep the gods pleased

10. Government War chiefs often became Kings
Kings performed rituals to please the gods
Dynasties developed
A series of rulers from one family

11. Trade Traded with people across Southwest Asia
Lacked many natural resources
Traded for timber, stone, metals

12. Writing
Cuneiform
Form of writing that used sharp tools to make wedge shaped symbols on clay tablets
Scribes had a high place in society

14. Literature The Gilgamesh Epic
One of the oldest surviving works of literature
4,000 year old story
Sumerian hero who seeks immortality
Originally passed on through oral tradition

15. 1- Describe the Paleolithic Age.
2- Describe the Neolithic revolution.
3- Explain the geography of Mesopotamia/Sumer.
4- Explain the afterlife of the Sumerians.
5- Describe a Sumerian ziggurat
Bonus- Cuneiform

16. 9-19
“The Tigris and Euphrates rivers had unpredictable flooding. This caused destruction and led Sumerians to have a bad view of the afterlife”
Aim- Study for Writing Activity

17. 9/24 Focus:
Waves of invaders swept into the fertile crescent after the collapse of the Babylonian Empire
These invaders created huge empires and introduced new technologies into the region
Do Now:
What geographic characteristic of the region allowed for the easy movement of armies?

18. Fertile Crescent Empires
Hittites and Assyrians

19. Hittites
Indo-European tribe that came from the area north of the Black Sea
Settled in Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey)

20. Military Advantages
Knowledge of iron working allowed them to build the first iron weapons and expand their empire
Revolutionized warfare
Improved chariots

21. Hittites Blended their culture with the people around them
Used Sumerian cuneiform
Adapted the Code of Hammurabi
What important concept does this illustrate?

22. Assyrians from Northern Mesopotamia
Strong military power with fierce warriors
Known for their brutal tactics in battle

24. Assyrians organized and efficient government
Established one of the world’s first libraries
Empire was linked by roads
Allowed for communication and expansion of trade
Controlled conquered people by crushing any resistance to their rule

25. 9/27 Focus:
The Persians formed one of the largest and best governed empires in the ancient world and made great cultural achievements.
Do Now:
Why were the Phoenicians known as carriers of civilization?

26. Persian Empire Cyrus the Great 559-529 BCE
Established the Persian Empire
Extended from N. Africa to India
Allowed people to keep their customs

27. Persian Empire Darius the Great 522-486 BCE
Established large network of roads
The Royal Road
Created postal system
Used a single currency
Appointed governors to run sections of the empire
Called Satraps

28. Persian Empire Zoroastrianism Based on the teachings of Zoroaster
Monotheistic Religion
Belief in one god
God was named Ahura Mazada
Good actions and thoughts lead to immortality
Tolerant of other religions