1. The Fertile Crescent
The Tigris & Euphrates Rivers form a vast watershed system the stretches from what is now Turkey through Syria and Iraq to the Persian Gulf.
In ancient times the people called this area Mesopotamia = The Fertile Crescent.
Throughout Mesopotamia, native cereal grains provided food for tribes of nomadic hunter-gatherers.

2. Early Civilizations
Throughout time the nomadic hunter-gatherers learned to cultivate these native grains in the rich soil.
They began to harness the water of the mighty rivers to increase their crop yields.
The nomads became farmers living in settle villages.
Ample food supplies led to the developed technologies and organized social structures.
These developments enriched their lives and ensured their survival.
The ancient farmers developed the first civilizations.

3. What is a Civilization?
To be considered a civilization, a society must posses five key elements:
Centralized Government
Organized Religion
Job Specialization and Social Classes
Arts, Architecture, and Public Works
Writing

4. The Sumerians developed the first civilization in Mesopotamia
The Rise of Sumer
The Big Idea
The Sumerians developed the first civilization in Mesopotamia

5. Key Terms Rural- countryside areas Urban city areas
City-state- a city and all the countryside around it
Gilgamesh- one of Uruk’s kings became a legendary figure in Sumerian literature
Sargon—first ruler to have a permanent army
Empire- land with different territories and peoples under a single rule
Polytheism- the worship of many gods
Priests-people who performed religious ceremonies
Social hierarchy- the division of society by rank or class

6. An Advanced Society The City-States of Sumer
Most people were farmers;
Urban areas were centers of Sumerian society
Some of Sumer’s cities had more than 100,000 residents
City-states in Sumer fought each other to gain more farmland
They developed strong armies
Built strong walls around their cities for protection

7. Rise of the Akkadian Empire
Akkadians lived north of Sumer
Spoke a different language
Sargon built a new capital, Akkad, on Euphrates River (near present day Bagdad
First ruler to have a permanent army
Defeated all of the Sumerian city-state
First empire
Stretched from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea
Sargon ruled for 50 years-
Eventually, Sumer regained power, rebuilding city-state of Ur

10. Religion Shapes Society Sumerian Religion
Polytheism- worship of many gods
Some of their gods:
Enlil- the lord of the air
Enki- god of wisdom
Inanna- goddess of love and war
Utu & Nanna - sun & moon
Each city-state had one god considered to be its protector

11. Sumerian Social Order
King
Scribes
Craftsmen
Artisans
Traders
Priest
General

12. Working Class in the City
Slaves
Farmers

13. Men & Women Men Women Polical Power- made the laws
Home & Child raising
Educated
Some upper-class
Enheduanna- Sargon’s daughter- 1st known female writer in history
Wrote hymns to the goddesss, Inanna

14. The Rise of Sumer Government Religion Society
Originally organized into city-states
Large empire created by Sargon
First permanent army
Polytheistic
Each city had a god as protector
Gods have enormous power
Priests interpret wishes of gods
Everyone must serve and worship gods
Kings
Priests
Skilled crafters, merchants, & traders
Laborer and farmers
Slaves