1. Cultural Analysis of Mesopotamia
SPRITE IT!!!!

2. Geography Land between Two RiversTigris and Euphrates
Fertile Crescent
Hazardous, unpredictable flooding, alluvial plain, desert
Modern day Iraq
Lack natural resources

3. Social Aspects Sumerians and Semites (Language)
BlendingAssimilation, little ethnic conflict, Akkadian language dominates, intermarriage
Village Life companionship, protection, marriage potential, help during harvests
Urban and village dependency city-states
Three classes: free landowning, dependent farmers, slaves
Women no political role, lost standing due to agri., men gain power in household, prostitutes, were able to own property

4. Political Aspects Priests held both political and religious power
Lugal “big man”, increased frequency in warfare over resources, chosen by community, backing of army, not hereditary, earthly rep. of God
Sargonunited cities under one king, centralized gov’t, standardized weight, taxes, labor projects etc.
Hammurabi aggressive military campaigns, law code
Bureaucracy, central gov’t

5. Religious Aspects
At the mercy of the Gods hazardous flooding and unpredictable nature of rivers, must appease Gods
Anthropomorphic lust, anger, hate
Amulets feared afterlife
Ziggurats mud-brick pyramid like structures, house deities, centrally located, residence of Gods
Priestsowned land, controlled shrine, wealthy, powerful, rituals,

6. Ziggurat

7. Mesopotamian Gods

8. Technological Aspects
Dependant on irrigation, dams, canals
Mud-bricks city-walls 8. Base number system
Cuneiform 9. Astronomy
Bronze
Pottery
Horse-drawn chariots
Boats, barges, carts

9. Economic Aspects
Agricultural based-villages provided surplus and cities supplied markets for trade
Cities control land
Slavery existed but not fundamental to economy
Record keeping property and trade

10. Think about…
How did the Mesopotamians interact with their environment and how did this shape their society?
Why did they need codified law in Mesopotamia?
Read Hammurabi’s code and answer the questions in complete sentences.
What does this law code reveal about what is valued in Mesopotamian society?